‘Metamorphosis’ zips ahead of ‘Hobbs & Shaw’: Horror movie defies expectations by beating the Hollywood spinoff
Local horror film “Metamorphosis” is the first horror movie to top the local box office since “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” reached No. 1 in March 2018. The film beat out Hollywood blockbuster “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” over the weekend. [ACE MAKER MOVIE WORKS]
The horror-thriller sold 572,000 tickets at 975 screenings over its debut weekend. The local film became the first horror film to reach the number one spot since March 2018, when “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” topped the box office.
The film stars Bae Sung-woo, Sung Dong-il and Jang Young-nam, who portray an uncle, father and mother, and rookie actors Kim Hye-jun, Cho Yi-hyun and Kim Kang-hoon who play the family’s three children.
The story centers around a demon who turns a peaceful family’s life upside down by using its ability to metamorphosize. The family spends sleepless nights filled with fear, hatred and rage as the demon randomly takes shape amongst the four, doing horrible things to everyone else. In the midst of the chaos, their mysterious exorcist uncle named Jung-soo shows up unexpectedly to help the family rid themselves of the demon.
The “Fast & Furious” spinoff starring Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson fell to second place, drawing 494,000 people to 979 screens.
Meanwhile, the popular “Exit” held on to the third spot for the second week in a row by selling 454,000 tickets at 867 screens. Over the past week, the film sold over 1 million tickets, bringing its total ticket sales to 8.3 million.
Historical fiction film “Jesters: The Game Changers” ranked fourth in its first weekend, selling 284,000 tickets for 754 screenings. Based on actual written records in the Records of King Sejo in the Annals of Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the film explains that the bizarre “miraculous” phenomena that happened at the end of King Sejo’s reign were the work of five exceptionally talented jesters who could fool anyone with their clever tricks and schemes.
The quintet was hired by the king’s most trusted adviser Han Myeong-hoi to spread good words about the King who rose to power through a coup d’Etat. Worried that he will be forever branded as a traitor and with the hopes that he can securely pass the throne on to his young son, Han orders the jesters to come up with “god-sent” signs that can convince the people of Joseon that the King is worthy of his title.
Another historical fiction flick, “The Battle: Roar to Victory,” about the Independence Army fighting for the country’s freedom from Japanese colonialism (1910-1945) finished the weekend in fifth place, selling 264,000 tickets at 771 screenings.
BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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