Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Exhuma’

​Written by John Edward Betancourt

(L-R) Yoo Hae-jin, Lee Do-hyun, Kim Go-eun, and Choi-Min-sik as Yeong-geun, Yoon Bong-gil, Lee Hwa-rim, and Kim Sang-deok in Jang Jae-hyun’s EXHUMA. (Photo Courtesy of Shudder.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Exhuma’.
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The evolution of the horror genre is quite the sight to behold. For it started out as nothing more than a general exploration of our most basic fears. Our fear of death through ghost stories, our fear of losing control through the werewolf and our fear of technology and progress through stories such as Frankenstein. And while that sustained fans for a while, down the line the genre grew into so much more, by becoming a bastion for social commentary through stories that examined key elements of our world through new monsters on the screen. Since films like Dawn of the Deadpondered upon commercialism and materialism via the horror that is the zombie, and the evolution didn’t end there.

Because in modern times, the genre has become the place to explore our most intimate fears. Such as the horrors of yesterday and the traumas we carry and that’s allowed for films like Doctor Sleep to help us understand how those horrors exist within all of us, and yet, there are still more evolutions ahead. For the next step in evolution for horror, involves not only acknowledging the ghosts we carry with us wherever we go, but in also offering up step by step guides as to how we handle those unpleasant ghosts and for proof… then look no further than a brand-new release on Shudder entitled, Exhuma.

Which is a film that features individuals that can in fact, speak with the spirits and use their knowledge of them to bring peace. In fact, some make a living from that and that is who we spend time with, in this story: a shaman named Lee Hwa-rim, and her understudy, Yoon Bong-gil, and their regular associates Kim Sang-deok and Yeong-geun. Who have high hopes when we meet them in this tale. For they have been put under contract by a supremely rich client to end his family’s long standing spiritual curse, and this contract will put them on easy street for the rest of their lives. But sadly, the work proves to be far more dangerous than expected, especially when they discover that a great evil surrounds the job, giving rise to one incredible fight to save their souls and the souls of others from the darkness they encounter.

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Which at first glance seems to be nothing more than a good old fashioned ghost story, one that speaks to why we shouldn’t mess with the past, but it quickly becomes apparent this film harbors so much more from a messaging standpoint. After all, the family curse in this tale, quickly becomes an allegory for the sins of the father and the pain and traumas our family imparts upon us and how it is dangerous to not resolve such matters. Since it truly does haunt and brings forth generational trauma and rather just pointing that out, the story dives deep into how we solve and confront that and outright resolve it. Giving rise to a perfect blend of horror and learning, and the majesty of the guidance this film features doesn’t end there.
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After all, this story does indeed feature quite the evil, one that extends well beyond what a parent is capable of when they are plain terrible. This one goes bigger and ponders deeply upon how, from a cultural standpoint, so many ignore the shady past of their culture and the mistakes made by others in a collective effort to move forward. But this film correctly points out, cultures cannot just forget about past transgressions and their impact, we must confront them, teach others about them so that people understand how we achieve such a folly and how to never replicate it. Which is a message that has more gravity now than ever and truly brings about, a fascinating film that offers so much to the viewer than mere entertainment and big monster moments.  

It really is a guide for healing on both an intimate and global scale and make no mistake about it, it’s scary as hell as well. Courtesy of its spiritual ties and the ties to the past that haunt both country and man, and the shocking moments and visuals it features here. For this one doesn’t skimp on the gore nor does it skimp on the eerie nature of ghosts, and that makes for one delightful horror feature. One that captivates with its detailed and intimate storytelling, and amazing performances and its incredible lessons. The kind that truly inform us that horror is going to become more about healing and learning than the terror since it is truly a safe space, where the worst-case scenario will help us face our demons and lay them to rest. 

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​Watch ‘Exhuma’

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