The Wailing
The Wailing

The Wailing

2016Movie156 minKorean

A stranger arrives in a little village and soon after a mysterious sickness starts spreading. A policeman is drawn into the incident and is forced to solve the mystery in order to save his daughter.

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Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes99%
Metacritic81/100
Google Users91%
Director: Na Hong-jinGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Supernatural

Plot Summary

A series of mysterious deaths and illnesses plague a remote South Korean village after the arrival of a stranger. A local police detective, Jong-goo, is drawn into the terrifying events as he tries to uncover the truth behind the epidemic, which seems to be linked to demonic possession and a local shaman's rituals. As the situation escalates, his own family becomes endangered, forcing him to confront an ancient evil.

Critical Reception

The Wailing received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its intricate storytelling, masterful direction, and terrifying atmosphere. Critics praised its blend of genres, masterful pacing, and ambiguous narrative, which left audiences debating its meaning long after viewing. It is often cited as one of the best horror films of the 21st century.

What Reviewers Say

  • A masterfully crafted horror film that builds suspense and dread with unnerving effectiveness.
  • Praised for its complex narrative, ambiguity, and chilling blend of supernatural and folk horror elements.
  • Hailed as a modern classic for its intelligent script and intense, unsettling atmosphere.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praised "The Wailing" for its suspenseful and terrifying atmosphere, its complex and engaging plot, and its satisfyingly ambiguous ending. Many highlighted the film's unique blend of horror elements and its ability to keep viewers on edge.

Awards & Accolades

Won Best Film at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and nominated for numerous other awards including Best Director and Best Actor.

Fun Fact

Director Na Hong-jin spent several years researching Korean folk religion, shamanism, and exorcism rituals to ensure the authenticity and depth of the film's supernatural elements.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

5 reviews
Dr_Nostromo

Dr_Nostromo

66/100 A bumbling police Sergeant finds himself well out of his depth while investigating the mass murder of families by one of the family members. And now his daughter seems to be possessed. A tense, unique story that grabs your attenti...
Agustttt

Agustttt

The runtime is a grueling 2 hours and 36 minutes. A warning that there is a good amount of **animal abuse**. The first half is pretty light hearted compared to the last half. It's a really befuddling piece. It's hard to tell who is bad ...
Kai

Kai

I don't often use the word masterpiece. I've seen 1,040 films in my life, totalling 1,549 hours of filmography. There's maybe 7 I would label a masterpiece with full usage and definition of the word. The Wailing is the eighth film of one...
Key-Si

Key-Si

Watching "The Wailing" is quite an undertaking. With a runtime of almost 3 hours this Korean Horror-Triller is a shear beast. Unfortunately I feel like pretty much more than half the runtime should have been cut. "The Wailing" circles aroun...
Reno

Reno

**A father's struggle to see his daughter to get well.** A new film from the writer, director of 'The Chaser' and 'The Yellow Sea'. This time its a horror-thriller that focused on a rural police officer who witnesses a series of strange ...