The Wailing is a 2016 horror film about a policeman who joins forces with a local shaman and a mysterious woman to investigate a rash of bizarre killings related a spread of sickness in small village in the hills.
South Korean cinema got a big boost in the west with Chan-wook Park‘s stylish and brutal Oldboy, prompting a thirst for more, opening doors for more talented directors to get international acclaim. One of these artists is Hong-jin Na, and his 2016 epic ghost thriller The Wailing is one of his best. Set in the small village of Gokseong (which is the film’s domestic title – 곡성), local cop Jong-Goo (Kwak Do-won), a slightly overweight and underwhelming officer and father, is faced with a strange death in the town, leading to all kinds of chaos including an old Japanese man living in the woods with a decidedly curious presence. Do-won is almost the whole reason to watch this brilliant film, his performance simply remarkable, the extreme arc of this character one that will move you greatly, though Hong-jin’s direction is nothing short of perfect. Filled with plenty of well-earned moments of humor, this is mostly a very chilling drama with a terrific story and a great look at the culture. A must watch. Read full review here.
THE LAST WORD
Absolutely riveting story will have you clinging to the edge of your seat, with a smart and convincing lead performance.
There are some extended moments that delve into theatrics a bit and if you’re no fan of reading subtitles, then this won’t win you over. Still shouldn’t stop you. This is masterful filmmaking.