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Fantasy horror film

Monstrum (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Monstrum (2018) movie poster

Monstrum is a 2018 fantasy horror film directed by Huh Jong-ho, starring Park Hee-soon as King Jung-jong, Lee Kyung-young and Park Sung-woong. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $5.2 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 85/100.

worldwide gross
$5.2M
Echo Score
85
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Monstrum (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Huh Jong-ho
Genres
Horror , Fantasy , Drama , Action
Original language
Korean
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Monstrum About?

The premise of Monstrum without spoilers.

In ancient Korea, 1506, the reign of King Jung-jong begins after the overthrow of the tyrannical King Yeonsan-gun, unleashing a period of bloodshed and political turmoil. As traitors plot against the new king, unsettling rumors spread throughout the kingdom concerning a terrifying, mysterious creature known as Monstrum by the local people. Fear grips the land as the kingdom descends into chaos and the true nature of this ancient man-eating monster remains unknown.

Monstrum Themes & Keywords

· 31 tags
  • kaiju
  • 16th century
  • 1500s
  • year 1506
  • year 1527
  • plague
  • court intrigue
  • royal palace
  • royal guard
  • coup attempt
  • korean history
  • korea
+19 more
  • monster horror
  • strangulation
  • running
  • loyalty
  • rage
  • innocence
  • joseon era
  • water
  • attack
  • hunter
  • throne
  • monarch
  • blood
  • hunt
  • subjectivism
  • king
  • monster
  • creature
  • psychotronic film
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Cast & crew

Monstrum Cast & Characters

Park Hee-soon leads the cast as King Jung-jong, with Lee Kyung-young as Sim-un and Park Sung-woong as Jin-yong. Directed by Huh Jong-ho; 29 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Monstrum

· 25 more
Show all 29 cast members
From the director

More from Huh Jong-ho

One more film directed by Huh Jong-ho: The Advocate: A Missing Body.

Full filmography
Ratings

Monstrum Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in story & flow (70).

85 /100

Monstrum Echo Score Breakdown

Monstrum delivers a vibrant and engaging spectacle that leans heavily toward positive reception. Critics repeatedly note its striking visual presentation, inventive blend of folklore and political commentary, and energetic action set pieces that sustain audience interest. While occasional remarks suggest uneven integration of thematic elements, the film’s overall execution is praised for its originality and entertainment value. Consequently, the movie emerges as a commendably crafted genre entry with strong appeal for fans of monster and period cinema.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels with lush cinematography and meticulous production design. Reviewers highlight the sumptuous visual style, dynamic sequences that resemble video‑game choreography, and polished editing that maintains momentum. The aesthetic choices reinforce the period setting while showcasing the creature with clarity. Overall, the craftsmanship is regarded as a high‑quality foundation for the narrative.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When evaluating character and emotion, the critics provide modest praise centered on thematic depth rather than performance nuance. The cast conveys the sociopolitical tensions embedded in the story, and the interplay between human protagonists and the monster supports a measured emotional resonance. Though acting specifics receive limited commentary, the overall character work is viewed as competent and serviceable, contributing positively without standing out as a major strength.

  • Story & Flow 70

    Regarding story and flow, Monstrum is commended for its original premise and the fusion of political intrigue with creature‑feature tropes. Reviewers appreciate the inventive plot and engaging pacing after the initial set‑up, yet some note that the merging of whimsical and critical elements does not always achieve seamless cohesion. The narrative is therefore seen as largely compelling, though occasionally uneven, resulting in a mixed but favorable assessment.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    The sensory experience is highlighted as a major asset, with reviewers drawing attention to the vivid visual style, striking color palette, and effective sound design accompanying the monster’s on‑screen presence. Action sequences are described as exhilarating, and the overall audio‑visual composition reinforces the film’s atmospheric ambition. This cohesive sensory execution contributes strongly to the audience’s immersion and overall enjoyment.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    Rewatch factor considerations indicate solid replay value, as critics describe the film as a “complete blast” once momentum builds and note its appeal to fans of both folklore and political drama. The blend of spectacle and thematic layers offers incentives for subsequent viewings, though the uneven parts may temper repeated enthusiasm. Overall, the movie is viewed as having a lasting appeal that rewards additional watches.

Box office

Monstrum Box Office

Monstrum grossed $5.2 million worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$5.2M

International
$5.2M
Videos

Monstrum Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Monstrum.

Trailer
Details

Monstrum Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “Mulgoe” and “灼鼠之变:物怪的袭击”.

Also known as
  • Mulgoe
  • 灼鼠之变:物怪的袭击
  • Moolgwoe
  • Mulgwoe
  • Water Monster
  • O Monstro da Água
  • 物怪
  • Монстр
  • 물괴
  • Монструм
  • Чудовище
  • A szörnyeteg
+5 more
  • Monstrum - Bestie z hory Inwangsan
  • Săn Lùng Quái Thú
  • พันธุ์อสูรกลาย
  • Monstrum - Caccia alla bestia
  • ムルゲ 王朝の怪物

Seen Monstrum?

FAQ

Monstrum FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Monstrum, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Monstrum?

Monstrum runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Monstrum released?

Monstrum was released on September 12, 2018.

Who directed Monstrum?

Monstrum was directed by Huh Jong-ho.

More films by Huh Jong-ho

Who is in the cast of Monstrum?

Monstrum stars Park Hee-soon as King Jung-jong, Lee Kyung-young as Sim-un and Park Sung-woong as Jin-yong, among 29 credited actors.

How much did Monstrum make at the box office?

Monstrum grossed $5.2 million worldwide.

Does Monstrum have a post-credit scene?

No. Monstrum has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Monstrum in?

The original language of Monstrum is Korean.

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