Korean animation summons its demons in 'Exorcism Chronicles'
Homegrown franchise delivers stylish spiritual warfare and four-wall spectacle, even as its epic ambitions strain against mortal runtime
Even as Korean cinema holds its ground as the world's seventh-largest box office market, Korean animation has been struggling to break through. Foreign titles keep raking in the numbers -- Pixar's "Inside Out 2" pulled 8.8 million admissions, "Elemental" drew 7.2 million, and Makoto Shinkai's "Suzume" brought in 5.6 million viewers. Meanwhile, homegrown animation's biggest win remains 2011's "Leafie," which drew its 2.2 million viewers.
Into this landscape enters "Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning," a web novel that carved out its own following back in the 1990s on primitive online bulletin boards before becoming a publishing sensation with over 10 million copies sold. Locus Corporation's adaptation comes with some serious pressure -- it needs to hit one million admissions just to break even, a mark only three Korean animations have ever reached. The buzz is already building, with opening weekend numbers landing it in second place at the box office, just behind Marvel's latest offering.
The film is rolling out with some fancy tech tricks up its sleeve. Select theaters are showing it in the four-wall panoramic 4DX ScreenX format that wraps right up to the ceiling. At 22,000 won ($16.50) a ticket, you're getting the deluxe treatment – reclining couch, extra legroom and your own table.
The story kicks off with Father Park, a doctor-turned-excommunicated priest carrying the weight of a failed exorcism that cost a child's life. When his old friend Jang, a monk from a secretive magical Buddhist sect, shows up asking for help protecting Joon-hoo -- a whiz kid with natural exorcism talents -- from his power-hungry master Seo, Park sees a shot at redemption. As Seo dives deeper into forbidden rituals and human sacrifice in his quest for power, Park and Jang team up with the temple's guardians and Hyun-am, a young exorcist looking to hone his skills after losing his sister to demonic forces.
On the visual front, the film breaks from the typical style Korean viewers are used to, taking its cues from Netflix's "Arcane" -- maybe a bit too closely. Yet, it's certain to come off fresh for audiences more familiar with Japanese anime aesthetics. Character designs stick to their source novel roots, with Father Park sporting his signature massive build straight out of a Gothic horror tale. The demons pack a punch without going over the top, and the jump scares land at the right moment. While the mix of 2D and 3D animation hits some frame drops here and there, the overall look delivers more capably than expected.
The action sequences really shine, turning what could have been standard self-important, dialogue-heavy exorcism fare into smashing supernatural showdowns. Characters unleash elemental powers -- fire, water and raw energy -- while trading bone-crushing blows, making each battle feel like a superhero clash with occult flavor. (The voice actors keep things grounded without hamming it up too much, which is another plus.)
The premium ScreenX format nicely amplifies every magical blast and malevolent force, wrapping the action across all four walls -- spells seem to literally fly past viewers from every angle. The sweeping shots between battles are equally impressive, transitioning seamlessly from neon-lit cityscapes to mist-shrouded temple grounds nestled in the woods.
Cramming the franchise's sprawling universe into just under 90 minutes is where things get tricky. The world-building feels rushed, storylines crowd each other out and emotional arc about sacrifice and love struggles to land when there is barely time to catch your breath between character introductions.
Still, while "Exorcism Chronicles" might not fully capture the epic scope of the original novel, it is a promising supernatural action flick that could open new doors for Korean animation. It's got style, spectacle and just enough substance to make you curious about what comes next.
The film opened in theaters nationwide on Friday.
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