Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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“Colony” Film Details
- Director(s): Yeon Sang-ho
- Writer(s): Yeon Sang-ho, Choi Kyu-seok
- Runtime: 2 Hour(s) and 2 Minutes
- Public Release Date (In Theaters): August 28, 2026
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Crime, Horror, Sci-Fi
- Content Rating: Rated R
- Primary Language: Non-English (Korean)
- Images © of / Courtesy Of Well Go USA Entertainment
Movie Summary
Dr. Suh Young-Chul would be considered a genius by some. His work in biology led to him being recruited by one of the most innovative medical research companies in the world, Chains Bio. However, genius is often paired with madness, and Dr. Suh wasn’t above pursuing unethical research for eyebrow-raising results.
Because of this, his research is taken, and he is promptly fired. This triggers long-held resentment that Dr. Suh was already suppressing, and he decides to focus on a handful of targets in his revenge – damn the collateral damage. Thus leading to him causing a lockdown at the Doongwoori building, as he releases a bio-weapon which not only turns people into zombies, but zombies he can control.
Leaving you to wonder if anyone can stop him, or will stop him, considering he has presented himself as the only person capable of producing a vaccine.
Cast and Characters
Dr. Suh Young-Chul (Koo Kyo-Hwan)
- Character Summary: A remarkable researcher and scientist who, unfortunately, is more than willing to pursue unethical results under the belief that it is better for humanity.
Choi Hyun-Seok (Ji Chang-Wook)
- Character Summary: A security guard of the DoongWoori building who originally was just having lunch with his sister, but ends up becoming key to his survival group as he knows the layout of the building.
Choi Hyun-Hee (Kim Shin-Rock)
- Character Summary: An IT professional and older sister who, like her brother, becomes a key figure in keeping a group alive after the outbreak begins.
Review and Commentary
Highlight(s)
You Become Equally Invested In The Heroes As You Do The Villain [84/100]
Colony is one of the rare films that not only features a charismatic villain you want to root for, because you want to see them mess with the heroes for as long as possible, but also makes you care about the heroes as well. Some more than others, like the brother/sister duo of Choi Hyun-Seok and Choi Hyun-Hee. But, for the most part, there is a desire to see even the most imperfect of the bunch we follow live.
All while wanting Dr. Suh to live to see another film – especially as he reveals his motives.
The Evolution Of The Zombies [85/100]
Whenever you watch something that deals with classic monsters, be it zombies, vampires, etc., there is the question of what rules are put in place. With Colony, there aren’t hard rules for the zombies, as they evolve, and that makes things more terrifying.
At first, their focus is on following where the light is, for that is likely where people are. But then they evolve to focus on scent, realizing they can move faster if they run on two legs than crawl on all fours, and then once Dr. Suh really kicks things up, they seem unstoppable.
But, as noted below, while the expansion of their abilities, or evolution, makes them more formidable and interesting, the film sometimes gets selective about when said abilities can come into play.
On The Fence
Colony Doesn’t Consistently Follow Its Own Rules [72/100]
As the zombies evolve, it is noted that it isn’t just one that may learn a trick, making that individual dangerous, but they all evolve at the same time. This is why it can become confusing that, after meeting certain milestones, it seems they forget what they can do.
For example, sometimes the leads have to sneak past zombies who have already learned how to find humans through smell. So when they make a noise and the zombies solely rely on their sight, despite the sweat and pheromones people are likely giving off, it can feel like they are being really selective when certain traits get put to use.
This especially becomes a problem later in the film when the zombies become so advanced that the heroes shouldn’t have any logical way to get out of the situation they’re in alive.
Sometimes, Characters Will Frustrate You To The Point Of Wanting Them To Die [73/100]
From dramatic pauses to analysis paralysis, part of the reason you may support Dr. Suh, and the zombies by extension, is because sometimes it may feel like natural selection should come into play. When certain characters don’t want to run or move to a safer location, their dying doesn’t seem like the worst idea. The same goes for when people are clearly a liability.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I recognize I’m saying all this while not in any known or present danger. But there is one character who is a problem throughout the whole movie. To the point you may question why they were given so much grace throughout and kept alive for so long.
Overall
Our Rating (78/100): Mixed (Divisive)
The main issue with Colony is also its best asset: The zombies being capable of evolving. At first, it is a cool feature, leaving you to wonder how the heroes or survivors may get out of this situation. But, with their evolution lacking a ceiling, there comes a point where it is hard to suspend disbelief and that Dr. Suh couldn’t and shouldn’t reach his goal. Which makes the ending feel almost difficult to accept.
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