The latest thriller from acclaimed filmmaker behind “Train to Busan” made its global debut at the world’s most prestigious film festival, earning thunderous approval from the packed theater. Following the final frames, the crowd rose to their feet for an impressive seven minutes of applause.
What Makes This Film Special
The movie explores a chilling scenario: survivors trapped inside a quarantined zone must face infected beings that have evolved to operate as coordinated groups. This fresh take expands the familiar zombie genre by introducing collective intelligence among the creatures, blending group psychology with survival horror.
The Director’s Vision
When artificial intelligence technology first emerged, the filmmaker became fascinated by how AI algorithms represent the sum of common thinking patterns. This sparked a key question: what truly separates humans from machines? The answer, he concluded, lies in our individuality and minority perspectives—qualities unique to human nature.
Rather than explaining this concept through dialogue, the film delivers its message through visceral suspense and raw experience. The zombie metaphor felt natural because AI development itself can seem uncanny—like early image generators that created realistic faces but struggled with fingers, the infected make mistakes no human would commit.
Star Power and Emotional Moments
The leading actress, appearing in her first Cannes presentation as a Korean film protagonist, plays the unwavering leader of the survivor group. She described her character as someone who remains steady even in extreme circumstances, deliberately keeping emotional expressions measured to guide audience feelings effectively.
She shared a touching moment when veteran director Park Chan-wook embraced her at the festival, later praising the film and telling her the director had done remarkable work. The gesture moved her deeply.
Working with the performers portraying infected individuals proved exhilarating. She marveled at their physical skills and even attempted the movements herself on set—drawing an enthusiastic reaction from the director, who joked about discovering hidden talent.
Festival Highlights
The premiere took place during the Midnight Screening program at the grand theater, running for 122 minutes. When credits rolled, audiences erupted in cheers. Some viewers even mimicked the creatures’ distinctive movements outside the venue, showing their deep engagement with the story.
On stage, the director celebrated by raising hands high with his lead actress, then sharing a warm embrace with supporting cast members who sat together beaming at the crowd’s reaction.
This marks the filmmaker’s fourth invitation to the prestigious festival, cementing his reputation as a global genre master. The film is scheduled for domestic release soon.