The Hole

The Hole

The Hole (2025) is a suspenseful psychological thriller directed by Kim Jee-woon, known for his visceral work on titles like I Saw the Devil and Cobweb. Adapted from Hye‑young Pyun’s Shirley Jackson Award–winning novel, the film explores grief, secrecy, and isolation through a character-driven narrative that unfolds in both the United States and South Korea.

The story centers on Owen, a successful university professor residing in South Korea, portrayed by Theo James. Following a tragic car accident that kills his wife, Sandy (played by Jung Ho‑yeon), Owen becomes bedridden and is cared for by his Korean mother-in-law, Yuna. As Yuna tends to him, she gradually uncovers unsettling truths hidden within Owen and his marriage—secrets with devastating implications for his recovery and identity.

Yuna’s care gradually shifts from maternal to unsettling as she notices inconsistencies in Owen’s behavior and hears whispered rumors about his and Sandy’s past. The more she investigates, the more it becomes evident that the accident and Owen’s paralysis might be linked to concealed betrayals and betrayals of trust. The film’s narrative weaves English and Korean dialogue and takes place across contrasting settings—Owen’s sterile hospital room, Yuna’s traditional abode, and clinical recovery spaces in the U.S., underscoring cultural and emotional distance.

Visually, The Hole promises Kim’s signature atmospheric style: clean yet unsettling compositions, stark lighting contrasts, and tight framing that amplify the suffocating tension. Kim’s collaboration with Christopher Chen on the screenplay ensures that psychological intrusion and moral ambiguity remain central. Audiences will witness a slow descent into paranoia and emotional collapse, much of which unfolds in hushed, intimate scenes rather than overt scares.

Theo James delivers a restrained, brooding performance as a man grappling with physical immobility and emotional suppression. His stillness speaks volumes, conveying pain and confusion with minimal dialogue. Jung Ho‑yeon brings her spirited presence as Sandy—both in flashbacks and in spectral memory—imprinting the weight of loss and unresolved conflict. Yuna’s role deepens the film's emotional complexity; her growing concern challenges cultural norms of privacy and the sanctity of marriage, creating friction between caring intent and invasive suspicion.

The film is anticipated to begin production in early 2025, with casting savvy including both Western and Korean actors. Writing and producing teams include co-creatives behind successful international thrillers, aligning with Kim’s ambition to blend genre tension with emotional resonance.

Critics familiar with the source novel expect The Hole to be a chilling portrait of familial strain and buried guilt—made more potent through slow burns rather than shocks. Themes of memory, identity, and marital breakdown are expected to anchor the narrative, offering a haunting critique of how grief can mask deception and how caregiving can become an act of control.

In summary, The Hole is shaping up to be a thoughtful, unsettling thriller that bridges cultures while delving into the moral complexities of trauma and suspicion. With Kim Jee‑woon at the helm and a cast led by Theo James and Jung Ho‑yeon, the film promises a tense, emotionally charged exploration of secrets that refuse to stay buried—and the chilling consequences of uncovering them.