Exhuma

In "Exhuma," when a renowned shaman (KIM Go-Eun) and her protégé (Lee Do-hyun) are hired by a wealthy, enigmatic family, they begin investigating the cause of a disturbing supernatural illness that affects only the first-born children of each generation. With the help of a knowledgeable mortician (YOO Hai-jin) and the country’s most revered geomancer (CHOI Min-sik), they soon trace the affliction’s origin to a long-hidden family grave located on sacred ground. Sensing an ominous aura surrounding the burial site, the team opts to exhume and relocate the ancestral remains immediately. But as something much darker emerges, they soon discover what befalls those who dare to mess with the wrong grave. (Gary Reber)

Special features include a making-of featurette (HD 03:38), the trailer and upfront previews.

The1.85:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally using the Arri Alexa Mini camera system and sourced from a 2K Digital Intermediate. The picture exhibits naturalness, both n the mountainous countryside and the interiors of the morgue, hotel and homes. The color palette is warm in hue tone, with flesh tones appearing natural. Contrast is revealing of deep black levels, dark shadows, and realistic white levels. Resolution is good during closeups but generally soft in medium and long shots. The picture is a throwback to low-budget independent filmmaking but no doubt will be compelling to some. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding in parts, especially during sequences of percussion in the orchestral/choral soundtrack with forceful pounding drum sounds whose bass frequencies are deep. Other deep bass effects occur when coffins are dug up and fall against the soil with their full weight. There is also a scene with a giant fire ball swirling in the sky that rumbles. Other sound effects are realistic. Atmospherics provide realistic environments. The soundtrack is generally quite active in the surrounds. Also, directional sound effects are quite prevalent. The dialogue is in Korean with English subtitles at the bottom of the screen. At times the dialogue has a dimensional stylized effect.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of infrequent segments of music, both subtle and intense, for example, in the drum sequences and the panned fireball sequences; intense rain and thunder; voices; and haunting sound effects, which at times are panned or directionalized. While more could have been achieved, the sound designers have made effective use of the height layer.

This is an active and exciting holosonic® spherical sound soundtrack with elements that sound dynamic and intensely haunting, (Gary Reber)