[Review] 'COLONY' is here... These zombies are really good

*This content was translated by AI.

• Starring Jeon Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hye-bin, and Kim Sin-rok... 'COLONY' opens today (21st)

This is not the cliché zombie. Ten years after 'Train to Busan' announced the birth of a unique Korean zombie genre to the world, director Yeon Sang-ho's new film 'COLONY' opens yet another new world of zombie movies.

A mysterious mass infection occurs in a super-high-rise building in downtown Seoul. A mysterious virus spreads due to the twisted beliefs of biologist Seo Young-cheol (played by Koo Kyo-hwan), who aims to propel humanity to the next stage. He believes the infected are the birth of a new humanity.

The building is sealed off in an instant, and those inside are left isolated. The infected are not zombies with only the instinct to bite. Initially crawling like beasts, the infected gradually evolve, begin walking on two legs, identify humans, and attack survivors in groups.

Led by bioengineer Kwon Se-jeong (played by Jeon Ji-hyun), the survivors try to head to the rooftop where a rescue team waits, having pre-registered that they injected a vaccine into their bodies. However, Seo Young-cheol blocks their path by leading the infected.

The true protagonist of 'COLONY' is, of course, the zombies. While they start on the same level as the zombies we commonly imagine, their actions are hard to predict. The setting that the infected, possessing collective intelligence, learn from and evolve with each other makes not only the survivors but also the audience hold their breath.

Their faces covered in slime, limbs grotesquely twisted, and the screams of zombies erupting the moment they share new abilities deliver more than simple intensity—they offer chilling horror. You might find yourself instinctively covering your mouth, thinking, "They can really go this far?"

Jeon Ji-hyun, returning to the screen for the first time in 11 years with 'COLONY', firmly anchors the film's center as the leader of the survivor group. Thanks to her cool-headed reasoning and judgment, which allow her to read the infected's behavioral patterns, the audience can also more easily grasp the characteristics of the zombies and become immersed in the story.

If Jeon Ji-hyun is at the center of the survivor group, Koo Kyo-hwan stands on the opposite side. The madness born from conviction within a flawed belief. Seo Young-cheol is realized as a more three-dimensional villain through his encounter with actor Koo Kyo-hwan. Unpredictable expressions and gazes, even 'face action' utilizing facial muscles. Even with his eyes covered, his eerie smile reveals an overwhelming presence.

However, the narratives of the two characters driving the film do not build up deeply enough, making the emotional immersion and the decisive 'one shot' that explodes at the climax feel somewhat disappointing. Rather than fully accumulating the characters' inner lives, the focus is on rapidly unfolding events and setting explanations, making the emotional weight of the characters feel relatively thin.

While the melodrama, which was criticized in the predecessor 'Train to Busan', has completely disappeared in 'COLONY', the character of the large and small Yong-seok (played by Kim Ui-seong) feels more prominent. It is also a point of regret that there is no character who leaves a strong impression on the journey toward survival or one who could shake the flow of the film.

In that sense, what stands out is the relationship between the siblings Hyun-seok (played by Ji Chang-wook) and Hyun-hee (played by Kim Sin-rok). Based on the universal emotion of 'wanting to protect family', the 'blood-stained courage' of these two who run forward without looking back leaves a long-lasting impression. The heartfelt and delicate acting of Ji Chang-wook and Kim Sin-rok also plays a significant role.

Going beyond the familiar horror of zombies and even raising questions about humanity and individuality, 'COLONY' shows another possibility for the Korean zombie genre. For audiences seeking a high-quality 'zombie movie', 'COLONY' is certainly a satisfying choice.

Opens on the 21st. Running time 122 minutes. Rated 15 and over.

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*This content was translated by AI.