Sounds like the male part of the catch is not adjusted properly. The factory bend the catches to “help” but if the previous owner has got the bend in the wrong direction, well it will be a struggle. Start by pressing down on the rear of the hood whilst trying to release. Sometimes a light tap with a rubber hammer horizontally uk cars right hand side to move the hood to the left may work.
Once you get it released you will need to adjust everything. To do that, the cable access to the adjuster is through the seat belt opening, off side uk. You will need something to hold open the sliding catches (broom handle size dowel)& a hook to pull the adjuster through the seat belt slot to get at the 2 nuts. Via the spare wheel you can adjust the length between the two locators so they move together & by the same amount. Once that lot are working properly adjust the male prongs to fit correctly getting the angle of the factory bend correct means a full turn each time once you have found which way suits your car. Mine uk car needs them bent in the direction of the near side.
Once they have been set up & greased the release should give no further trouble, the cable can stretch.
