'Exorcism Chronicles' continues occult boom with strong box office performance

'"Exorcism Chronicles" is continuing its strong box office run, generating significant attention. Industry experts suggest that the occult boom, sparked by "Exhuma," has now extended to "Exorcism Chronicles." But what makes this film so captivating for audiences?

The movie has received praise for its solid storytelling. It introduces a grand narrative in which exorcists with special abilities confront an absolute evil. The fictional religion Haedong Milgyo adds an element of intrigue, while the characters' unique abilities enhance the film’s appeal. The evolving relationships and character growth provide dramatic excitement and though some elements are unrealistic, the characters' emotional depth keeps the story grounded in reality.

One of the key factors behind the film's success is its ability to attract a wide range of viewers. Traditionally, occult films primarily target younger audiences, particularly those in their late teens and 20s. However, “Exorcism Chronicles” is based on a novel that began serialization in 1993 and has sold over 10 million copies. This legacy naturally attracts older viewers who were familiar with the original work. According to CGV’s ticket sales on Tuesday, viewers in their 30s made 35 percent of reservations, while 30.4 percent came from those in their 40s.

With a compelling story and broad appeal across age groups, “Exorcism Chronicles” has achieved meaningful success. Beyond its narrative strengths, the film also excels in areas such as music and direction. "The high-quality execution, performances, music, and cinematography made 'Exorcism Chronicles' an enjoyable watch," said director Jang Jae-hyun of “Exhuma” during a recent MegaTalk event. With positive audience reception, word-of-mouth buzz is growing. The film ranked second at the box office in its third weekend at theaters.

The success of “Exhuma,” which attracted 11.91 million viewers after its release in February 2023, significantly boosted public interest in the occult genre. The film tells the story of a geomancer, an undertaker and a shaman who encounter eerie events while relocating a suspicious grave in exchange for a large sum of money. The popularity of shamanistic themes has continued since, with works such as the Tving original “Shaman: The Spirit’s Tale” and SBS’ “Possessed Love” further fueling the fascination with the occult.

Following the box office success of “Exhuma” and the financial break-even of “Dark Nuns,” “Exorcism Chronicles” is enjoying similar popularity, with the trend showing no signs of slowing down. “Holy Night: Demon Hunters” will hit theaters April 30. The film follows a team of dark warriors — Bao (Ma Dong-seok), Sharon (Seohyun), and Kim Gun (Lee Da-wit) — as they battle an evil-worshiping cult threatening a city. With a cast featuring popular actors, industry expectations are high for its performance.

Insiders believe the occult boom will persist. "With 'Holy Night: Demon Hunters' set for release, interest in occult films is expected to continue, potentially expanding the genre’s audience.," a Lotte Cinema representative told the Hankook Ilbo. "Compared to action and romance films, the occult genre has been less favored in the past, but we hope to see its continued growth."

Meanwhile, a representative from “Exorcism Chronicles” pointed to word-of-mouth as a key factor in sustaining interest in the genre. "The success of 'Exhuma' appears to have increased interest in Korean-style occult films," he said. "Since 'Exorcism Chronicles' is considered the original K-occult work, its steady popularity, driven by young audiences in their teens and 20s, could pave the way for more diverse genre films in the future."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.