While much of the cinematic conversation centers around major franchise events this week, a wildly ambitious and nearly three-hour-long sci-fi blockbuster titled Hope has arrived in UK cinemas with massive anticipation. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Na Hong-jin, the creature feature demands to be experienced on the biggest screen possible. For audiences looking to dive deeper into the director's intense filmography following this major theatrical release, here are three essential movies by the filmmaker that deserve an immediate watch, along with details on where to stream them.
The Chaser (2008)
Marking a powerful breakout feature, The Chaser was released in 2008 with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. Starring Kim Yun-seok, Ha Jung-woo, Seo Young-hee, Kim You-jung, and Jung In-gi, the film tells a relentless cat-and-mouse story set in a rain-soaked, blood-stained world. While carrying a pervasive sense of hopelessness and a sharp critique of legal systems, the picture remains so relentlessly paced that viewers cannot look away. The movie is available for streaming on Prime Video, Arrow Video, and Shudder.
The Yellow Sea (2010)
Continuing down a bleak and gritty path, 2010's The Yellow Sea plunges its lead character, a taxi driver named Gu-nam played by Ha Jung-woo, into a brutal world of desperation. Co-starring Kim Yun-seok, Cho Seong-ha, Lee Cheol-min, Kwak Do-won, and Im Ye-won, the man-on-the-run thriller follows a botched contract killing that leaves the protagonist running from both mobsters and the police. Sweaty, violent, and unrelenting across its 156-minute runtime, the film is available to buy or rent on Apple TV.
The Wailing (2016)
Stepping fully into the horror genre, the director delivered one of the most terrifying films of the 21st century with 2016's The Wailing. Running at 2 hours and 36 minutes, the narrative centers on a South Korean village torn apart by supernatural murders linked to a local Japanese stranger. Featuring Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, Chun Woo-hee, Jun Kunimura, Kim Hwan-ही, and Heo Jin, the story begins as a police procedural before shifting into a waking nightmare with a primal third act. The epic feature can be streamed on Prime Video.
