Acclaimed Action Thriller HOPE Expands Globally, Featuring Hyundai's Heritage Model STELLAR
- Hyundai Motor Company
- 2026.09.10 (KST)
- 분량7min
- 조회수 738Views
- HOPE, an official Competition selection at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, opens across North America today via NEON
- Cast includes Hoyeon of Netflix's Squid Game, Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell and Cameron Britton
- Hyundai's heritage model STELLAR stars as the lead characters' police car, anchoring the film's chase sequences
SEOUL, Sep 9, 2026 – Hyundai Motor Company's heritage model STELLAR takes a central role in HOPE, a Korean sci-fi action thriller expanding into theaters worldwide, with release across North America today.
What Is HOPE About?
HOPE is a sci-fi action thriller set in the fictional border town of Hope Harbor, near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, following residents fighting for survival after encountering an unknown presence. The film is distributed by NEON — the studio behind multiple Cannes Palme d'Or and Academy Award Best Picture winners — and was an official selection in the Competition section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, where it was pre-sold to nearly 200 territories.
HOPE first opened in Korea in July, drawing attention for its gripping creature action set in broad daylight, and has since grossed $35 million at the Korean box office.
The film is directed by Na Hong-jin, whose works including The Chaser, The Yellow Sea and The Wailing have helped redefine Korean genre cinema, and is shot by Hong Kyung-pyo, one of Korea's most acclaimed cinematographers, known for Parasite.
The cast is led by acclaimed Korean actors Hwang Jung-min and Zo In-sung, along with Hoyeon of Netflix's Squid Game. Supporting performances by global stars including Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Taylor Russell complete the film's global ensemble. The score is composed by Michael Abels, known for Get Out and Nope.
Why Does STELLAR Matter in HOPE?
Serving as the main characters' police car, STELLAR functions not as a passing prop, but as a cinematic device that reinforces the period setting and dramatic tension while anchoring the chase sequences.
The film’s visceral action and relentless momentum have received strong critical praise. The Hollywood Reporter’s chief film critic described HOPE as “a superbly sustained pedal-to-the-metal experience that’s almost dizzying in its bravura,” hailing it as a “rip-roaring sci-fi creature feature” that “has instant cult classic written all over it.
STELLAR is the predecessor of Hyundai's global best-selling SONATA. Launched in Korea in 1983, it later evolved into SONATA, expanded into global markets, and was produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.
What Does HOPE Mean for Hyundai's Content Strategy?
The collaboration with HOPE weaves Hyundai's brand heritage into a film that has attracted attention across the global film industry, giving STELLAR a new chapter in its story.
HOPE provided an opportunity to place one of Hyundai's heritage models at the center of a Cannes Competition selection drawing global attention, now set to reach audiences worldwide. STELLAR's journey from Cannes to screens around the world reflects Hyundai's ongoing commitment to bringing its brand heritage and storytelling to life through innovative content collaborations.
What Other Content Has Hyundai Created?
Night Fishing — Set at an EV charging station, this mystery drama was told entirely through vehicle-mounted camera footage, winning awards at Cannes Lions and the Fantasia International Film Festival. Hyundai also introduced the "Snack Movie," a 10-minute film priced at about US$1. The Snack Movie format reflects Hyundai’s response to the short-form era, delivering branded content naturally into everyday culture.
Bedford Park — Hyundai's first feature film investment, this New Jersey-set drama follows a man healing from a family tragedy. It won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Debut Feature at Sundance 2026, was invited to Toronto International Film Festival, and secured global distribution through Sony Pictures Classics.
Night Fishing, Bedford Park and HOPE share a clear approach: deliver genuine content the way audiences already enjoy culture in daily life, whether through new storytelling techniques or formats like the Snack Movie. Hyundai has stated its ambition to go beyond making cars and become a cultural partner, reframing the car from a product to be sold into a medium for stories and experiences.
