South Korea’s Barunson E&A will launch sales in Cannes on occult mystery Stoneborn from the creators of horror blockbuster Exhuma, […]
South Korea’s Barunson E&A will launch sales in Cannes on occult mystery Stoneborn from the creators of horror blockbuster Exhuma, reports ScreenDaily, who also shared the first-look image.
The film centers on a mysterious and sacred stone said to grant any wish, drawing people into its dark pull.
The cast is led by:
• Sul Kyung-gu (Good News, Memoir of a Murderer, Peppermint Candy)
• Jeon Jong-seo (Burning, The Call, Ballerina, Highlander)
• Seo Eun-soo (The Witch: Part 2. The Other One)
In the film, Jeon plays Hee-jin, who returns to her hometown with her sister following the sudden and suspicious suicide of their younger sibling. There, they reunite with their younger brother and controlling mother, who has long worshipped a massive ancient stone on the outskirts of town.
At the funeral, Hee-jin encounters a shaman named Eul-seok, played by Sul, who is also devoted to the stone. As increasingly disturbing events unfold, an unseen presence begins to close in. While Eul-seok insists her sister’s restless spirit is responsible, Hee-jin senses something far more sinister at work.
The project marks the feature directorial debut of Lee Deok-chan, who previously earned acclaim for shorts including Leo, which won Best Director at Jeonju in 2019.
Stoneborn began shooting on March 12 and is expected to wrap production in June. A Korean theatrical release is planned for 2027 through Acemaker Movieworks.
The film is produced by Cinematic Moment (Troll Factory, Because I Hate Korea) and Pinetown Production, the company behind Exhuma, which topped the South Korean box office in 2024 with $78 million from 11.9 million admissions.
