Michael Fassbender's new film "Hope", a South Korean sci-fi thriller blending alien and monster elements, is released nationwide in US cinemas today, 9 September. The film marks Fassbender's first return to alien sci-fi since Ridley Scott's "Alien: Covenant" in 2017, ahead of his expected reprisal of the android David in a planned Covenant sequel. Hope's release is notable as the widest US theatrical rollout for a Korean-language film since "Parasite", underlining growing international interest in Korean cinema.

Directed by Na Hong-jin ("The Wailing"), the film is set in a village near the Korean Demilitarised Zone where residents come under attack from creatures initially mistaken for a tiger before being revealed as alien predators; Fassbender stars alongside his wife Alicia Vikander as leaders of the alien clan, with a supporting cast including Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Hoyeon and Taylor Russell. Distributed in the US by NEON, the film opens in around 1,500 theatres following sold-out early-access screenings, has already generated $35 million in international sales against a reported $46 million budget, and holds an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes; its director has also indicated he has ideas for a possible sequel.