Cinematic Treasure Trove - #2 The Wailing(2016) Horror-Mystery

The Wailing is a 2016 South Korean horror film directed by Na Hong-jin and written by the same director. The film stars Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, Chun Woo-hee and Jun Kunimura. The cinematography was handled by Hong Kyung-pyo, while the editing was done by Kim Sun-min. The music was composed by Jang Young-gyu and Dalpalan. The film was produced by Suh Dong-hyun and Kim Ho-sung and was distributed by 20th Century Fox. With a budget of US$8 million, the film was a commercial success, earning US$51.3 million at the box office. The film was released on May 12, 2016 and has a running time of 156 minutes. The film is in Korean and Japanese languages.

Story

The Wailing is a South Korean horror film set in the small mountain village of Gokseong. The film follows the story of a police officer named Jong-goo as he investigates a series of mysterious killings and illnesses in the village. The arrival of a Japanese man sets off a chain of events that leads to a supernatural outbreak and causes the villagers to behave in strange and violent ways.

Throughout the film, Jong-goo meets a number of individuals who may hold the key to unraveling the mystery, including a mysterious young woman named Moo-myeong. As he delves deeper into the case, Jong-goo becomes increasingly unsure of what is real and what is not, and finds himself in a race against time to save his daughter. With its suspenseful storyline, eerie atmosphere, and standout performances, The Wailing is a must-watch for fans of horror and mystery.

Critical Reception

The Wailing received overwhelming praise from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film boasts a 99% approval rating and an average score of 8/10, based on 82 reviews. The critical consensus reads, "The Wailing offers a hauntingly atmospheric and masterfully crafted mystery, whose supernatural thrills more than make up for its lengthy runtime." On Metacritic, the film received a weighted average score of 81 out of 100, based on 19 reviews, reflecting universal acclaim.

Critics praised the film for its imaginative storytelling and strong acting. Jada Yuan of Vulture.com described the film as "operating on a level that makes most American cinema seem clunky and unimaginative." Anton Bitel of Little White Lies noted the film's blend of humor and despair, calling it "a village noir that brings the horror of uncertainty." Leah Pickett of Chicago Reader called the film "epic" and praised its unique blend of East Asian mythology and horror tropes. Phil Hoad of The Guardian wrote that the film touches on something fundamental about the nature of evil, and Nigel Andrews of Financial Times referred to it as "very crazy, very Korean, very long." Clark Collins of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a B+ rating, praising its atmospheric and terrifying qualities, while Jason Bechervaise of Screen Daily noted its gradual progression into something more sinister. Finally, Jacob Hall of /Film called the film "great" and said that a remake would seem strange due to its unconventional structure.

Deborah Young of The Hollywood Reporter added that "The Wailing" is as dark and pessimistic as Na Hong Jin's other works, but slightly less impactful than his previous acclaimed films "The Chaser" and "The Yellow Sea." Maggie Lee of Variety praised the film for its haunting uncertainty, and David Ehrlich of IndieWire called it a loose, viral horror film that builds tension and does real damage. Aja Romano of Vox gave the film four out of five stars, stating it's the most unsettling Korean horror film in years but provides more chills than answers.

The South Korean release of The Wailing took place on May 12, 2016. At the Cannes Film Festival in France, the film was presented in the Out of Competition section on May 18. It was later released in the United States on May 27. After its release, The Wailing became available on streaming platforms such as Netflix, Fandango Now, VUDU, Hulu, and Apple TV. However, it has since been removed from Netflix.