The 2016 South Korean film, THE WAILING, showed a number of things about Korea. It included the nation’s feelings of the stamp Japan had left from its occupation of Korea during and prior to World War II. It also showed the superstition of some Koreans and how it still remains years later. The new film, EXHUMA (2024), though much different than THE WAILING has both these aspects within its plot as well.

When a wealthy American family of Korean ancestry believes that medicine will not cure a mysterious illness of their new born, they enlist two “Mu” (or shamans) to get to the bottom of what may be a long lasting curse that has followed the Americans from generation to generation.

The film is written and directed by Jae-hyun Jang and the cast includes superstar Min-sik Choi (OLDBOY 2003) in a very different role than some of his previous. The film was a huge success in its native country and appeared on the television station Shudder for North American audiences. Your co-hosts take a look at the film and give their thoughts.