The film includes mystery and occult elements, and follows the process of excavating an ominous grave, which unleashes dreadful consequences buried underneath.

Sang-deok backs out, sensing sinister energy but Ji-yong convinces him to reconsider by doubling the payout for the job.

The local custodian, hearing rumors of a treasure in the tomb, greedily opens the coffin and thus accidentally releases the vengeful entity inside, Ji-yong's grandfather.

The grandfather, revealed to be a Japanese collaborator during the Korean occupation era, is tormented by his improper burial.

The four excavate it and rest at a temple, where Hwa-rim learns about Gisune, who turns out to be a powerful Japanese shaman named Murayama Junji who has the moniker of The Fox.

Bong-gil gets injured and possessed, and the others witness the oni turn into a ball of fire flying back to the mountain.

Sang-deok returns to the grave and finds the samurai dormant on the coordinates written on the grandfather's tombstone.

Sang-deok realizes that the samurai himself is the iron spike and since he is represented fire in Feng shui, he must be vanquished by the element of water and wood.

Sang-deok then uses the wooden pick axe drenched in his own blood to successfully vanquish the samurai spirit.

In June 2021, it was reported that Choi Min-sik will star in director Jang Jae-hyun's occult thriller.

[27] It competed in the 57th Sitges Film Festival in the 'Oficial Fantàstic Competició' section[28] and won Special Jury Award.

[39] Exhuma on March 24 became the first Korean film of 2024 to surpass 10 million in ticket sales, on its 32nd day in theaters, according to Showbox.

[43] Lee Yoon-seo writing for The Korea Herald praised the performance of the cast writing, "the veteran cast puts in a strong performance to add to the immersive experience" and stated that "Exhuma consists of Jang's careful efforts to deliver super-realistic, detailed scenes depicting Korean shamanism - such as the traditional process of exhumation and "gut" rituals held to appease wandering spirits".

[45] Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting rated the film 4/5 and called it, "A fun horror with a lot on its mind."

Navarro wrote, "Jae-hyun Jang combines introspective cultural and historical themes with creepy, gory, and atmospheric horror thrills in an exciting way.