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The Wailing

Play trailer 1:50 Poster for The Wailing Released May 20, 2016 2h 36m Mystery & Thriller Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
99% Tomatometer 86 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Suspicion leads to hysteria when rural villagers link a series of brutal murders to the arrival of a mysterious stranger (Kunimura Jun).
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The Wailing

The Wailing

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Critics Consensus

The Wailing delivers an atmospheric, cleverly constructed mystery whose supernatural thrills more than justify its imposing length.

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Critics Reviews

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas The Blue Lenses The Wailing's is a world where histories, identities, cultures, realities and generic codes and conventions collapse in spectacular, unforgettable style. Aug 25, 2018 Full Review Nigel Andrews Financial Times Very crazy, very Korean, very long: 156 minutes of murder, diabolism, exorcism and things that go bump by day and night. Rated: 4/5 Dec 27, 2016 Full Review Kate Muir Times (UK) A complex Korean horror with the surreal village feel of Twin Peaks. Rated: 4/5 Nov 29, 2016 Full Review Carolyn Hinds JoySauce.com Written and directed by Na Hong-jin, The Wailing is one of my favorite horror films. It’s deeply unsettling in how Na Hong-jin uses sound, imagery, time, and costuming to build a layered story... Nov 9, 2022 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Na's film belongs on a shortlist of horror titles that question everything, forcing the realization that most people know nothing for certain and yet still behave with conviction. What could be more frightening? Rated: 4/4 Feb 18, 2022 Full Review Toussaint Egan Polygon It's a masterpiece of mood, and a 156 minutes, a parade of every horror trope imaginable. Oct 20, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Will F This was everything I wanted but did not get from The Exorcist. In fact you could say it borrows a few elements from The Exorcist, but also from Wilkie Collins novels, 28 Days Later, Shakespeare, and also a dozen plus other sources, and I’m sure many more with which I’m unfamiliar. But none of that matters to how much you will enjoy this movie. Just buckle the F up and enjoy the thrill. Seeing those little nods and references all the way through just adds a really cool metatextual layer, but the movie is 10/10 even if you don’t pick up on a single one. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/24/24 Full Review Ricardo d O Lamento é exatamente o que sentimos após ficarmos mais de 2h vendo esse filme. Um protagonista idiota, um roteiro sem pé e nem cabeça. O que tem de bonito são as locações, e a melhor atuação é a da criança, que nem é a protagonista. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/13/24 Full Review Kalakar S I got suggestion about this movie from YouTube reviews and trust me it is better than most of same concept horror movies, storytelling is amazing and dangerous killing make it a great combo. Horror - 3 star Story - 5 star Crime scenes - 5 star Twist - 4 star Acting - 3 star Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/30/24 Full Review Hadi K The Wailing (2016), directed by Na Hong-jin, is a South Korean horror-mystery film featuring Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, and Chun Woo-hee. The plot revolves around a policeman in a rural village who investigates a series of mysterious deaths linked to a strange disease, ultimately involving supernatural elements as he fights to save his daughter. Kwak Do-won delivers a commendable performance as the bumbling yet determined policeman. However, the character's lack of depth and frequent irrational decisions can frustrate viewers. Na Hong-jin's direction is ambitious but often meanders, leading to pacing issues that detract from the film's suspense. The screenplay attempts to blend multiple genres, including horror, mystery, and comedy, but struggles with coherence. The film's length exacerbates this issue, making it feel indulgent and drawn out. On the positive side, the cinematography is visually striking, capturing the eerie atmosphere of the village with haunting imagery. The music effectively heightens tension but sometimes overwhelms quieter moments that could have benefited from subtlety. Editing is inconsistent; while some scenes are tightly constructed, others drag unnecessarily, impacting overall engagement. The film explores themes of fear, superstition, and the unknown. However, its attempt to weave these into a cohesive narrative falters due to excessive plot twists that confuse rather than intrigue. Compared to similar films like "The Witch," "The Wailing" lacks the narrative clarity needed to support its complex storyline. While The Wailing offers moments of genuine horror and impressive visuals, its convoluted plot and uneven pacing hinder its impact. Fans of atmospheric horror might appreciate its ambition, but casual viewers may find it more perplexing than entertaining. Overall, it earns a 2-star rating for its potential overshadowed by execution flaws. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 10/30/24 Full Review Gaming N great cinematography and writing, cant say it was very scary tho Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/24/24 Full Review 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 out of 5 stars 10/17/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Wailing

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Cast & Crew

The Wailing

The Wailing: Official Clip - The Bloody Ritual The Wailing: Official Clip - The Bloody Ritual 3:29 The Wailing: Official Clip - Psycho Woman The Wailing: Official Clip - Psycho Woman 1:45 The Wailing: Official Clip - Zombie in the Woods The Wailing: Official Clip - Zombie in the Woods 3:22 The Wailing: Official Clip - Fighting a Dog The Wailing: Official Clip - Fighting a Dog 3:38 The Wailing: Official Clip - Puking Blood The Wailing: Official Clip - Puking Blood 2:22 The Wailing: Official Clip - The Evil Shrine The Wailing: Official Clip - The Evil Shrine 3:37 The Wailing: Official Clip - The Death Hex The Wailing: Official Clip - The Death Hex 2:51 The Wailing: Official Clip - Demon in the Cave The Wailing: Official Clip - Demon in the Cave 1:17 The Wailing: Official Clip - Struck by Lightning The Wailing: Official Clip - Struck by Lightning 3:00 The Wailing: Official Clip - Cleansing Ceremony The Wailing: Official Clip - Cleansing Ceremony 3:22 View more videos

Movie Info

Synopsis Suspicion leads to hysteria when rural villagers link a series of brutal murders to the arrival of a mysterious stranger (Kunimura Jun).
Director
Na Hong-jin
Screenwriter
Na Hong-jin
Distributor
Well Go USA
Production Co
20th Century Fox International, Ivanhoe Pictures, Side Mirror
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language
Korean
Release Date (Theaters)
May 20, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 6, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$785.4K
Runtime
2h 36m
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