"Jaw-dropping" thriller hailed as an "instant cult classic" finally confirms UK release date

Hit South Korean thriller Hope has finally landed a UK release date. Premiering earlier this year at Cannes, the film has already proved to be one of the highest-grossing movies of the year in its native country.

Viewers in the UK can now rejoice as they will be able to see it from next month, with a 25 September release date in UK and Ireland cinemas. It will also get an IMAX premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival this weekend on 16 August.

Hope is set in a remote South Korean village called Hope Harbor, where police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) and officer Sung-ae (Hoyeon) "are called to find a mysterious creature that has wreaked havoc on the village".

Related: UK film release dates

"In the nearby forest, a coterie of hunters, including Sung-ki (Zo In-Sung) set out to track the beast and find themselves hunted instead," the synopsis adds.

"But all is not as it seems, and perceptions can be misleading. What begins as ignorance plants the seed of disaster, escalating through human conflict into a tragedy of cosmic proportions."

The movie also stars Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander, her husband and Black Bag star Michael Fassbender, Bones and All's Taylor Russell, The Umbrella Academy's Cameron Britton and The Roundup's Eum Moon-suk.

Directed by The Wailing's Na Hong-jin, Hope has largely received acclaim from critics, Little White Lies praising the "jaw-dropping scale" that "puts most blockbusters to shame".

The Hollywood Reporter said it had "instant cult classic written all over it", adding: "From its magnetic principals to its cheeky sense of humor, its fresh take on sci-fi horror to its thrilling action, Hope is a crazy good time."

"There is nary a moment of boredom and its numerous peaks of exhilarating action are often undercut by a laugh-out-loud payoff," wrote Sight & Sound. "Brilliantly crafted and beautifully shot, we can only hope this wild film gets the follow up it so richly deserves."

Hope is released on 25 September in UK and Ireland cinemas.

Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.

The new edition of Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Ariana Grande, is here! Buy Ariana Grande in newsagents or online.

Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International.  Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.