Film Review – Colony (2026)

      Colony, 2026.

      Directed by Yeon Sang-ho.

      Cast: Gianna Jun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hyun-been, Kim Shin-rock, and Go Soo.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Professor Se Jeong is at a biotech conference when it suddenly descends into chaos due to the release of a rapidly evolving virus. As the outbreak spreads and those infected undergo horrific transformations, authorities lock down the entire facility.

      In Yeon Sang-ho’s Colony, co-written with Choi Kyu-seok, the company behind the zombie-like bioterrorism, Chains Bio, serves as an unmistakable nod to Resident Evil’s Umbrella Corporation. Scientist Seo Young-chui (Koo Kyo-hwan), with his calm demeanor and questionable ethics, resembles a typical over-the-top antagonist from video games, acting as a final boss who can mentally connect with all the infected. With a glint in his eye and dramatic expressions, he commands the collective mind, typically directing them to hunt for survivors, who aim to capture him alive, as his body holds the key to a vaccine.

      Despite this familiarity, Yeon Sang-ho, known for Train to Busan and its sequel Peninsula, excels in crafting thrilling action scenes involving the undead—who resemble zombies, covered in white vomit and driven by the urge to infect others through blood and bites. The film injects creativity into the chaos; one scene features characters frantically throwing furniture for protection or creatively using a disabled relative as support in a whimsical team-up brawl (similar to the engaging absurdity seen in Dead Rising games), alongside knife-wielding mayhem and the explosive arrival of the military with powerful firearms.

      Since the infected function as a singular unit under a shared consciousness, the action sequences also align with traditional South Korean cinema, elevated by their animalistic intelligence—they instinctively stack on each other, wield firearms, and more, all influenced by their host’s commands. This adds an exhilarating dimension that one expects from this director's work.

      Colony does not disappoint in this regard, as much of it is set in a vast mall with various conference rooms where Chains Bio presents its initially noble goal of achieving better societal communication, which quickly turns disastrous with the outbreak. The setting is rich with homages, benefiting from a distinctive South Korean style. Consequently, a large group finds themselves under what seems to be mind control, orchestrated by a disturbed scientist.

      The diverse cast includes scientists yearning for recognition, a brother taking his sister out for shopping, a man torn between an ex and a new family, and various other characters, which creates a sense of overcrowding. As a result, when the film attempts to strike an emotional chord, it often falls flat. This is not due to the performances—many from Yeon Sang-ho's usual collaborators—but clarity on who the protagonist truly is only emerges during the final 30 minutes, as all characters vie for screen time, succeeding as others fall. However, the narrative gains focus as it progresses.

      The standout element is the villain’s performance, balancing silliness and mania, perfectly aligned with the ridiculous plot. His abilities and the cooperative behavior of the infected resemble that of ants, and the filmmakers deliver a striking visual during the climax that feels refreshing within an overdone subgenre, even if the rest of the film is not particularly innovative. The plot may be nonsensical, and the characters numerous, but Colony presents an array of chaotic, intense entertainment, enhanced by impressive stunt work.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder