"Hellbound," the Korean series directed by Yeon Sang-ho, plunges us into a dystopian world where dark fantasy intertwines with a brutal introspection on human nature. Inspired by a webtoon of the same name, the series brings to the fore supernatural beings who appear out of nowhere to hand down sentences of condemnation to hell, but paradoxically, the real horror comes not from these creatures, but from the actions of humans. This Netflix production approaches the theme of fanaticism and morality with a subtlety that manages to shake the viewer, not through special effects, but through its psychological realism.
The plot unfolds in an apparently dystopian, but essentially realistic society, where fear and the need to find meaning become a pretext for terrible manifestations. Through each character and extreme situations, "Hellbound" explores the dark side of human nature. The show shows us that no matter how terrifying the monsters may seem, the real horror comes from the cruelty and manipulation of the vulnerable. Although stories like this tend to show hope for a happy ending, the finale of the second series leaves room for interpretation, ending with a promise of better, but with a new set of questions that make us look forward next season.
"Hellbound" is more than a horror series, it is an allegory about human nature, about fear and about our need to believe that life has a higher purpose. With intense cinematography, intricately constructed characters, and a tense narrative, the series will not only keep you on edge, but will force you to ask yourself questions about good, evil, and the sacrifices necessary to face your deepest fears. deep.
In "Hellbound," the world is shaken by the appearance of supernatural creatures who embody a new form of divine justice. People receive brutal sentences and, at the appointed time, are taken over by mysterious beings who lead them to what appears to be hell. In the face of this "proof" of the existence of divine punishment, a new form of fanaticism arises: a religious organization, called the "New True World," begins to preach that these sentences are an act of pure justice, a way in which the gods punish sins committed. Over time, this organization gains power, and its followers begin to exert pressure on society, taking advantage of the chaos and fear of those around them.
In this tense context, the series explores not only fear and violence from the supernatural, but especially the danger of fanaticism and manipulation. Morality and compassion are replaced by harsh judgments, and people end up hating and betraying each other, for fear of falling victim to this "divine justice".
The historical parallel - the Inquisition
A historical event that "Hellbound" can be compared to is the Inquisition, a dark time in human history where the Catholic Church established tribunals to judge and punish heresy and "sinners." Just like in the series, the fear of "sin" and "hell" was instrumentalized to justify extremely violent actions and abuse.
During the Inquisition, there were enough unfounded accusations to send someone to torture or even death, and the trials were presented as necessary to "preserve morals and divine order." As in "Hellbound," this fear was fueled and exploited by the powerful, who used religion and fear to impose their control over the masses and eliminate those deemed "immoral" or "sinners."