10 Great 2024 Horror Movies You Probably Missed
1. Exhuma
The exploration of the concept of death, and more so affairs of the occult, have been largely considered taboo or at least frightening to ponder, and Exhuma understands this very well. The Jang Jae-hyun-written and directed feature is a meticulously crafted and terrifying depiction of Korean occultism, clashing with historical tragedies and their modern-day misunderstandings.
Jang's experience in the realm of occult-oriented cinema gave him a leg up in developing the story that follows three individuals with an affinity for the undead. Feng shui master Kim Sang-deok (Choi Min-sik), shaman Lee Hwa-rim (Kim Go-eun), and undertaker Yeong-geun (Yoo Hae-jin) work together to rid a wealthy family of a curse from the beyond.
As the trio conducts their work, they uncover the extent to which their community is under threat from disruption by forces from the afterlife. Exhuma's strengths lie in its use of Korean folklore, colonial trauma, and spiritual balance to shape its characters, specifically the aforementioned Park family and its dark past, with the cast rising to the occasion in bringing these complex characters to life.
The cultural specificity and depth, as well as the production values and performances, make Exhuma a must-watch for lovers of folk horror.