It’s been three years since Hellbound first introduced us to its chilling world of supernatural decrees and demonic retribution, but eight years have passed within the story as Season 2 premieres its first episodes at the Busan International Film Festival. In this dark, dystopian Korea, demons continue to drag condemned souls to hell, blurring the lines between sin and morality, and leaving society in chaos.
Season 1 ended with the miraculous survival of a baby condemned to hell, casting doubt on the nature of these decrees. Now, Korean society is dominated by four competing factions, each claiming to represent the people’s will, but driven by religious zeal or selfish motives. Two familiar groups from Season 1 return: New Truth, the cult-like church led by Jung Jin-su, and the violent Arrowhead group, which thrives on madness and confusion.
New additions this season include the Korean government, with a more direct role in controlling society, represented by the commanding presence of Moon So-ri as the president’s senior secretary. Another new faction, Sodo, works in the shadows to undermine New Truth. Among Sodo’s members is lawyer Min Hye-jin (Kim Hyun-joo), who continues to fight against New Truth and Arrowhead, just as she did in Season 1.
One of the season’s most dramatic twists is the return of those who were previously dragged to hell. Among them is Jung Jin-su himself, but no longer portrayed by Yoo Ah-in due to his legal issues. Instead, Kim Sung-cheol steps into the role, delivering a fresh yet compelling take on the character. These returnees spark even more intrigue, as various factions try to manipulate their existence to gain control over the masses.
While the grand narrative of theological dystopia continues to unfold, Hellbound excels in its character-driven stories. One of the standout subplots is a tragic tale of a marriage unraveling, as a wife spirals into madness and becomes one of Arrowhead’s most fanatical members. Moon Geun-young delivers a haunting performance in this storyline, which ties into the show’s larger themes of fanaticism and societal collapse.
Visually striking scenes of Arrowhead’s wild rituals, complete with costumed extras and chaotic energy, evoke dystopian classics like Escape from New York and The Warriors. Director Yeon Sang-ho’s fascination with cults and religious extremism takes on a more political tone this season, offering a parable of control and chaos, as ordinary people are swept into forces beyond their understanding.
As Hellbound Season 2 unravels, many questions remain unanswered, but the ride is already exhilarating, promising even more twists and turns in the episodes to come.
READ MORE: