[New Film] Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘The Lobster’ Returns for a Solo Theatrical Run After 11 Years… A Strange 45-Day Survival Game

45 days to avoid being transformed into an animal: The return of an original dystopia

Yorgos Lanthimos, widely regarded as a director with one of Hollywood’s most distinctive visions, is bringing one of his signature films, The Lobster (2015), back to Korean audiences. On the 26th, distributor Chahran officially announced that the film will return exclusively to CGV theaters next month, 11 years after its initial release.

The Lobster is a dark comedy set in a bizarre hotel in the near future, where people who fail to find a partner within 45 days are transformed into animals. It follows a man and a woman fighting to survive within an oppressive system. Upon its release, the film drew widespread critical acclaim for its audacious premise and incisive social satire, winning the Jury Prize at the 68th Cannes Film Festival.

The film is considered the starting point of the distinctive aesthetic that would come fully into its own in director Yorgos Lanthimos’s recent peak period, marked by Poor Things (2024) and Bugonia (2025), which is set to open. It has been praised for its chilling yet humorous dissection of human nature and the meaning of love as they emerge within a perfectly controlled dystopia.

The ensemble of acclaimed actors is another highlight. Colin Farrell, familiar to audiences from Phone Booth and Alexander, and Rachel Weisz, known for The Mummy and The Bourne Legacy, deliver powerful performances as a man and woman who share forbidden feelings within a society governed by bizarre norms. Olivia Colman, Léa Seydoux and other celebrated actors also join the cast, adding depth to the film.

The theatrical run offers a chance to experience on the big screen the director’s meticulous mise-en-scène and overwhelming sound, which are difficult to fully appreciate on the small screen of an OTT platform. Strong advance ticket sales are expected among film fans.