Alienoid (2022) is a South Korean sci-fi action film written and directed by Choi Dong-hoon, who is well-known for his work in the action genre, including films like The Thieves and The Assassination. Alienoid blends several genres, including science fiction, fantasy, action, historical drama, and even comedy, creating a unique cinematic experience.
The story is divided into two parallel timelines: the first is set in the present day (2022), while the second is rooted in the 14th century during the Goryeo Dynasty. The film begins with two alien prison guards, Gyun (played by Kim Woo-bin) and Mureuk (played by Kim Ta-hee), who are tasked with hunting down alien criminals that have escaped their alien-prison ship. These aliens, who possess the ability to travel through time, have used the power of a mysterious artifact to flee into Earthโs past.
In the present-day timeline, these alien prison guards are pursuing an alien criminal who has hidden within a human body. The criminal is trying to elude them, but the aliens’ attempts to catch him are complicated by time travel and the merging of futuristic technology with historical events.
Meanwhile, the second timeline takes place in 14th-century Korea, during the Goryeo Dynasty. In this historical period, a group of warriors led by Lee Si-young (played by Ryu Jun-yeol) is on a mission to protect a magical sword that can unlock immense powers. They are caught in a larger battle that seems to be intertwined with the alien prison escape.
The two timelines begin to converge as the warriors of the past and the alien prison guards of the future are caught in an epic clash that will determine the fate of humanity, the universe, and possibly even time itself. The plot delves into themes of time travel, the blending of different worlds, and the nature of power and knowledge.