Rodolfo G
It had been some time that I was not so attentive to a movie. The film is long, it starts a little slow but does not affect the final product at all. If he took me to make a few turns, wondering who was really to blame. The script is well done, the scenography is very good, and the performances stand out so the film does not feel heavy; but on the contrary it leads you to immerse yourself in it, doubt many things, and have a good time. I recommend.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
10/17/24
Full Review
Matthew B
Wow. If I had to sum this experience up with only two words, they would be "modern classic". I am EXTREMELY surprised this film is not brought up more in "best horror movies of all time" discussions. I went into The Wailing expecting a zombie movie. I had been recommended this film by various zombie movie discussion threads. And while there certainly are a few zombies, this is really more of a movie about demonic possessions. There are numerous twists and turns that left my jaw hanging wide open. This is definitely one of those experiences that will leave you sitting there in complete silence and awe as you try to contemplate what you just witnessed. I haven't been this pleasantly surprised by a horror film since Hereditary. This movie puts you directly into the shoes of the protagonist and makes you feel every strand of stress and panic he endures through this two and a half hour torture chamber of a story. The cinematography is just phenomenal! The scene with the Japanese man and the Shaman both performing their own rituals, with it cutting back and forth is the most tense and well shot scene I've watched since the accidental beheading of Charlie in the aforementioned Hereditary! That is all I will say about this masterpiece out of fear of spoiling one of the many moments that you will simply have to enjoy for yourself. HIGHLY recommended.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
10/04/24
Full Review
Matthew D
I feel sick and afraid after seeing The Wailing’s bleak ending.
Director Na Hong-jin’s South Korean horror mystery The Wailing (2016) is like an exercise in punishment and faith. Those who doubt themselves and their faith are destroyed physically or emotionally. It is a powerful and terrifying film that has deeply affected me. I cannot get to sleep tonight after watching The Wailing for what starts out as an engaging murder mystery, leans into surprisingly hilarious absurdist humor, then shifts darkly into disturbing and unforgettable terror. I recommend watching The Wailing only for horror fanatics that can handle disturbing imagery, depressing endings, and a gnawing sensation that you must be missing a clue before the last reveal hits you hard. What an incredibly diabolical film. The Wailing is a must see horror mystery that is one of South Korea’s finest pictures.
Na Hong-jin’s direction shows you all manner of freaky horror imagery to distract and trick you with numerous Red Herrings. I was not expecting a full police investigation into a potential serial killer, strange toxic mushrooms, possessed humans, animal sacrifice, demonic rites, ghosts, zombies, holy rituals, prayers, stabbings, body horror, and religious horror all in one masterpiece. The Wailing lures you into a false sense of safety as events keep getting scarier as it goes along until Hong-jin rips your heart out with the genuinely upsetting finale that is tremendously bleak.
Na Hong-jin’s writing explores ideas of human fragility when we seek answers to questions we dare not ask. The Wailing occurs when people lose their faith, doubt the truth in front of them, and dare not trust in those seeking to aid them. From the cautious nervousness of a parent worried for their child to the agonized yells of a loved one mourning their beloved family member. The screams of the grieving in The Wailing will haunt me forever. The Wailing moves quickly with clues piling up as the mystery thickens into something truly evil. I was actually upset by the end and think this will stay with me. I did not even realize what had happened or why, but I’ve been thinking about The Wailing’s scary scenes and ruthlessly devastating conclusion.
Editor Kim Sun-min delivers 156 minutes of smooth cuts that draw you in further into darkness. I was never bored. The Wailing never got slow. It just steadily ramps up the intensity and pacing if anything. Cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo’s breathtaking wide shots of the mountains and forests surrounding this Korean village are mesmerizing. I found the close-up shots very alarming and emotionally revealing, but when things switch to medium shots, we’re often left wondering who is telling the truth. The Wailing uses that ambiguity during the investigation to really keep you guessing. Kim Chang-ho’s eerie lighting lets us see all the terrors clearly in daylight and gives moody shadows for the nighttime scenes. I adore the heavy use of depressing rainfall when something is wrong.
Kwak Do-won is captivating as the police Sergeant Jong-goo. He’s absolutely hysterical when he’s judging someone or doubting their words. I found him fascinating and entertaining to watch. Then I was suddenly stunned by his emotional realness in portraying the father of Hyo-jin worried for his daughter’s safety. He’s truly dejected by the end and devastating to watch. Kwak Do-won is a wonderfully versatile actor able to combine comedy, drama, mystery, and horror aspects all into one performance. Jang So-yeon is both amusing and heartbreaking as Jong-goo’s amiable wife, who suffers emotionally as her daughter is in peril.
Hwang Jung-min is intriguing as the enigmatic shaman Il-gwang, who is hired to protect the village. He had me wondering what his deal was from the first time you saw him. The Wailing really works as logical answers lead to the supernatural as more people get infected with this rage-inducing rash. He plays his role beautifully. Kim Hwan-hee is spectacular as the hero Jong-goo’s daughter Hyo-jin. She goes from playful little girl to berserking possessed demon in seconds. She demonstrates that child actresses can have range and verisimilitude. Her Jin is fun as Jong-goo’s cautious mother-in-law, who decides to hire Il-gwang as a shaman.
Chun Woo-hee is gorgeous and haunting as the mysterious spectral figure Moo-myung. She appears in all white with precious information and crucial details, then vanishes. Her appearances fuel the ambiguity until the final reveal that shows how integral Moo-myung really was here. Jun Kunimura is chilling as the quiet Japanese stranger in the outskirts of the village. He goes from tranquil to threatening in an instant. I was amazed by his freaky performance. Kim
Do-yoon is funny as the nervous Japanese-speaking deacon Yang I-sam. His last scene in the cave is so serious and disturbing too. Son Gang-guk is hilarious and haunting as Jong-goo’s skeptical police partner. The shock on his face is something else. Composers Dalpalan and Jang Young-gyu provide creepy atmospheric music that ramps up into a cacophony of terror during the chases and ritual sequences. Sound designers Kim Dong-han, Kim Sin-yong, Park Yong-gi, and Lim Byeong-woo give us freaky noises all over for ambiance. Costume designers Chae Kyung-hwa and Yang Jin-sun’s striking uniforms, jackets, and robes all look dazzling. Makeup artists Kim Ho-sik, Kim Seo-young, and Kwak Tae-yong do seriously scary transformative looks for the zombie, ghost, and demonic aesthetic.
In all, The Wailing absolutely frightened me for real. I highly recommend it for genuine terror to wash over you as you realize what happened.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
10/01/24
Full Review
Daniel N
What a rollercoaster of emotions and plots this film is, truly enjoyable, every scene has a meaning, the cinematography is delightful and the script unfolds a terrific story.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
10/01/24
Full Review
EJ M
This was recommended by a friend and overall it was just ok. I found it too long, comedic when it shouldn’t be and repetitive. Some of the acting was over the top as well. Ending was good but it could have been shorter to get there.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
10/03/24
Full Review
B P
‘The Wailing’ Oozes Tension with Atmosphere and Dread
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
09/02/24
Full Review
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