Alienoid: Return to the Future (Korean: 외계+인 2부) is a 2024 South Korean science fiction action film directed by Choi Dong-hoon, starring Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri, and Kim Woo-bin. It is the second part of 2022 film Alienoid and tells the story of humans and monks trying to save everyone by returning to the present while hidden secrets are revealed in the fierce battle for the new sword.[2] It was released on January 10, 2024, in IMAX, 4DX, and ScreenX formats.[3][4]
| Alienoid: Return to the Future | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Hangul | 외계+인 2부 |
| Literal meaning | Alien+Human Part 2 |
| Revised Romanization | Oegye+in 2-bu |
| Directed by | Choi Dong-hoon |
| Written by | Choi Dong-hoon |
| Produced by | Ahn Soo-hyun |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Kim Tae-kyung |
| Edited by | Shin Min-kyung |
| Music by | Jang Young-gyu |
Production company | Caper Film |
| Distributed by | CJ E&M |
Release date |
|
Running time | 122 minutes |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Box office | US$10.8 million[1] |
Plot
editRetrieving the Divine Sword to unlock the gate of time, Lee Ahn, trapped in the past and attempting to stop the escape of an alien prisoner locked in a human body, searches for Thunder and makes her way back to the future. In the meantime, a weird presence in Mureuk's body disturbs him. Lee Ahn and Mureuk are pursued by Heug-seol and Cheong-woon, the two mages from Samgaksan who suspect that an alien lies within Mureuk; Neung-pa, a blind swordsman who wants to take the rumored divine sword and open his eyes; and Ja-jang, who wants to claim the divine sword.
In the present day, several people are killed by a haava, an alien substance detonated by an escaped alien prisoner, The Architect, and an accidental alien witness, Min Gae-in, begins to investigate the incident. With only 48 minutes left before all the haava explodes, Lee Ahn must open the gate of time, return to the future and stop the heavy detonation. Finally, all the secrets are revealed.[5]
Cast
edit- Ryu Jun-yeol as Mureuk, he gradually grows as he masters real magic.[6]
- Kim Tae-ri as Lee Ahn, she tries to return to the future to protect everyone.[7]
- Kim Woo-bin as Thunder, he opens the door of time.[8]
- Lee Hanee as Min Gae-in, she uncovers the secrets of aliens.
- Yum Jung-ah as Heug-seol, a mage from Samgaksan.
- Jo Woo-jin as Cheong-woon, a mage from Samgaksan[9]
- Kim Eui-sung as Ja-jang, a masked man who wants the divine sword.
- Jin Seon-kyu as Neung-pa, a blind swordsman, who tries to open his eyes by stealing the divine sword[10]
- Kim Hae-sook as Milbon[11]
- Shin Jung-geun as Right King, a cat living in Mureuk's fan.[11]
- Lee Si-hoon as Left King, a cat living in Mureuk's fan.[11]
- Yoon Kyung-ho is Samsik, an alien prisoner.[11]
Production
editBoth parts of Alienoid were shot together, filming for which began in March 2020 and concluded in April 2021 taking 387 days.[12] The cost of production of both the parts was estimated at ₩33 billion.[13]
Release
editOn December 11, 2023, the main poster and 'Character Roadmap' video, were released and the film was scheduled for release on January 10, 2024, by CJ E&M.[14] It was released in IMAX, 4DX and ScreenX formats as scheduled.[15]
The film was released in Vietnam on January 12, Indochina on the 24, Hong Kong on the 25, and North America on the 26. It will be released in Taiwan in February 2024.[16]
The film was featured in Features section of the 71st Sydney Film Festival on June 8, 2024.[17]
Alienoid: Return to the Future was part of the 19th London Korean Film Festival. The festival screened Alienoid (2022) as part of their Opening Night film in the 17th edition of the festival.[18]
Reception
editBox office
editThe film was released on January 10 on 1388 screens.[19] It opened at first place on Korean box office with 103,467 admissions and a gross of US$746,073,[20][21] and also took the first place in its first week of release with 648,687 cumulative viewers at the weekend box office.[22] It maintained its top position at box office for continuous ten days.[23] On January 21, the twelfth day of its release the film exceeded 1 million viewers.[24]
As of August 3, 2024[update], with a gross of US$10,332,034 and 1,429,965 admissions, it is at 7th place among the Korean films released in 2024.[25]
Critical response
editOn the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes website, the film has an approval rating of 63% based on 8 reviews, with an average rating of 6/10.[26]
Lee Yi-seul writing in Asia Economy criticised the film terming it as, "Distracted plot and contrived comedy". However Lee applauded the director Choi Dong-hoon for Korean-style Science Fiction challenge, that combines folklore with mixed likes and dislikes. She wrote, "The bold attempt would not have been possible if it weren't for the director.[27] Jennie Kermode of Eye for Film graded the film 3/5 and wrote, "It's all wildly incoherent, and will seem all the more so if you don't have a grounding in the rules of Korean fantasy magic, but there's still plenty of fun to be had."[28]
Douglas Davidson of Elements of Madness graded the film 4/5 and wrote, "[Brings] with it all the action, hilarity, and drama of the first film, as well as a few of the same drawbacks. However, despite the flaws, it's still a rousing good time that delivers on all it promises and more."[29]
Accolades
edit| Award | Year | Category | Nominee / work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Yum Jung-ah | Nominated | [30] |
References
edit- ^ "Alienoid: The Return to the Future (2024)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Ha-neul Lee (November 22, 2023). "[종합] "외계+인 2부는 카타르시스가 될 것" 류준열·김태리의 변신, 1부 혹평 반전시킬까" [[Comprehensive] "Alien + Human Part 2 will be a catharsis" Will the transformation of Ryu Jun-yeol and Kim Tae-ri reverse the harsh criticism of Part 1?]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ Yang Yu-jin (January 3, 2024). "'외계+인' 2부 IMAX·4DX·ScreenX 개봉 확정...극장서 즐기는 압도적 스케일" ['Alien + Human' Part 2 confirmed for IMAX, 4DX, ScreenX release... Overwhelming scale to enjoy in the theater]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ Lee Ha-neul (December 11, 2023). "'외계+인' 2부, 2024년 1월 10일 개봉 확정했다[공식]" ['Alien + Human' Part 2 confirmed to be released on January 10, 2024 [Official]] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ 외계+인 2부 [Alienoid 2]. Korean Movie Database (in Korean). Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ Bae Hyo-joo (November 16, 2023). "'외계+인' 2부 류준열, 얼치기 아닌 찐 도사로 도술 렙업" ['Alien + Human' Part 2 Ryu Jun-yeol, leveling up his Taoist skills as a skilled Taoist rather than a simpleton]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ Ha-neul Lee (November 15, 2023). "'외계+인' 2부, 류준열·김태리·김우빈의 수능 응원 "좋은 결과 있기를"" ['Alien + Human' Part 2, Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri, and Kim Woo-bin's CSAT cheering "Hope you get good results"]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ Lee Ha-neul (October 26, 2023). "류준열·김태리·김우빈 '외계+인' 2부, 2024년 1월 개봉 확정" [Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri, Kim Woo-bin's 'Alien + Human' Part 2, confirmed to be released in January 2024] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Bae Hyo-joo (November 17, 2023). "류준열→진선규 '외계+인' 2부 캐릭터 포스터 공개..더 강렬해진 비주얼" [Ryu Jun-yeol → Jin Seon-gyu 'Alien + Human' Part 2 character poster released, more intense visuals]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ Yoo Eun-bi (October 30, 2023). "'몸값'→'외계+인 2부' 대세배우 진선규, 대종상 '시리즈 남우상' 노미네이트" ['Ransom' → 'Alien + Human Part 2' popular actor Jin Seon-gyu is nominated for 'Best Actor in a Series' at the Daejong Awards]. SPOTV News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Yoo Eun-bi. "김해숙→윤경호...'외계+인' 2부, 씬스틸러 배우 총출동" [Kim Hae-sook → Yoon Kyeong-ho... 'Alien + Human' Part 2, scene-stealer actors all in attendance]. SPOTV News (in Korean). Retrieved January 30, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Pierce Conran (April 26, 2021). "KIM Woo-bin, RYU Jun-yeol and KIM Tae-ri Wrap 2-Part ALIEN". KOFIC. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ Lee Jae-lim (July 20, 2022). "Choi Dong-hoon makes it sci-fi and action, but also Korean in 'Alienoid Part 1'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Kim Na-yeon (December 11, 2023). "'외계+인' 2부, 내년 1월 10일 개봉 확정..반전 노린다 [무비타이밍]" ['Alien + Human' Part 2, confirmed to be released on January 10th next year...aiming for a twist [Movie Timing]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ Jeong Jin-young (January 3, 2024). "'외계+인' 특별관에서도 만난다... 아이맥스 4DX 등 개봉 확정" [We also meet in the 'Alien + Humans' special hall... Confirmed for release in IMAX 4DX, etc.]. Daily Sports (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ Ha Su-jeong (February 1, 2024). "'외계+인' 2부, 해외서 터졌다..북미→대만 연이은 개봉 확정 [공식]" [Part 2 of 'Aliens + Humans' exploded overseas... Confirmed for successive releases in North America → Taiwan [Official]]. Osen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "Alienoid: Return to the Future". Sydney Film Festival Festival. June 8, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ https://www.koreanfilm.co.uk/events/lkff-2024-special-screening-alienoid-return-to-the-future/
- ^ "Alienoid 2, 2024 at KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Box office: Korean films". KOFIC. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ "2024 . 01 . 10（수）일별 박스오피스 (Daily box office)". KOBIS (in Korean). Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ Kim Na-yeon (January 11, 2024). "'외계+인' 2부, 개봉 첫날 9만 명 봤다..극장가 新 흥행 훈풍[★무비차트]" ['Aliens + Humans' Part 2 was seen by 90,000 people on the first day of release.. New box office success in theaters [★Movie Chart]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Ahn Yun-ji (January 15, 2024). "'외계+인' 2부, 개봉 첫 주 박스오피스 1위..韓 영화 저력 과시" ['Aliens + Humans' Part 2 takes first place at the box office in the first week of release...showing off the power of Korean movies]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Kim Ji-hye (January 20, 2024). "'외계+인' 2부, 10일 연속 박스오피스 1위.. 누적 86만" ['Alien + Human' Part 2, No. 1 at the box office for 10 consecutive days... Cumulative 860,000]. Daily Sports (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- ^ Choi Ji-ye (January 21, 2024). "류준열·김태리·김우빈 웃었다! '외계+인' 2부, 값진 100만 돌파 [공식]" [Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri, and Kim Woo-bin laughed! 'Aliens + Humans' Part 2, valuable milestone exceeds 1 million [Official]]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2024". KOFIC. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Alienoid 2 (2024, Action/Fantasy)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ Lee Yi-seul (January 4, 2024). "[리뷰]700억 '외계+인' 무슨 생각으로 2부까지 찍었을까" [[Review] 70 billion 'Aliens + Humans' What were they thinking when filming Part 2?]. Asia Economy (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ Jennie Kermode (January 21, 2024). "Alienoid: Return To The Future". Eye for Film. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Douglas Davidson (January 22, 2024). "Filmmaker Choi Dong-hoon's hotly anticipated "Alienoid" sequel "Return to the Future" arrives with bigger action and bigger laughs to navigate world-ending stakes". Elements of Madness. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024). 60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개 [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via Naver.
