Time now for another Noon Movie. Next on the list: The Wailing. A 2016 Korean Horror Film.
The movie was written and directed by Na Hong-Jin (The Medium, The Chaser). He is well known for having violent thrillers and horror characteristics in his films. It stars Kwak Do-Won (Steel Rain, The Golden Holiday), Hwang Jung-Min (Hostage: Missing Celebrity, Deliver Us From Evil) and Chun Woo-Hee (Waiting For Rain, The Piper).
**WARNING: MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD**
One night in the small mountain town of Gokseong, a mysterious infection has broken out and causes the person to become degranged and violently kill their families. The police are called to come and investigate the latest murder.
When the police arrive, they are shocked by what they encounter.
The villagers are unrelenting and believe that the cause of all of their woes began after the mysterious arrival of a Japanese man. Officer Jong-Goo goes to the Japanese man’s house, in a secluded part of the woods, wanting to ask him questions.
When he gets there, Jong-Goo meets a strange woman, and she tells him the Japanese man is a ghost and he is the reasons why the villagers are dying. Jong- Goo steps out to call for back up, and when he returns, the woman has disappeared.
A few days later, Jong-Goo’s daughter begins to start acting strangely. Hyo-Jin has the same crazed symptoms as the other villagers right before their deaths. She screams, curses, and lashed out at her family. She also ends up STABBING the next door neighbor that was there to help her.
Officer Jong-Goo has become desperate and takes the advice of his wife and calls for a shaman, Il-Gwang to help his daughter.
The shaman agrees to help and begins his ritual to help Hyo-Jin.
Jong-Goo sees his daughter is in excruciating pain and stops the ritual. He destroys the shamans ritual set-up and takes Hyo-Jin way from the house and takes her to the hospital instead. Il-Gwang drives to his home and is greeted by Moo-Myung, the white ghost. She confronts him. Il-Gwang starts vomiting blood and realizes he’s made a grave mistake.
Meanwhile, Jong-Goo is ALSO visited by the white ghost. She tells Jong-Goo the Japanese man is a demon and that he is coming for Hyo-Jin. Jong-Goo doesn’t believe her (he’s personally seen what’s happened to the elusive Japanese man).
This is when Jong-Goo’s life starts to go sideways. He receives a phone call from the shaman. Il-Gwang reveals the ritual didn’t work and Jong-Goo needs to get home as soon as possible. Il-Gwang also mentions Moo-Myung is a GHOST and to steer clear of her. Pretty soon Jong-Goo finds himself caught between two worlds. One for the love of his daughter and a world filled with dark forces out to get him.
I won’t spoil the ending for you. That’s for you to watch and find out what happens. Overall, the movie is a great slow burn horror film. It keeps you engaged and focused on Jong-Goo’s family problems. There are limited scare jumps (so, if that’s not your thing, don’t worry too much). The demon in the movie however— is one of the scariests ones I’ve seen in a while. He lingered in my mind WELL after the movie was over (and a few days after).
The Japanese man in the movie, even though he is the focus of the police investigation, is not really seen too much in the film. At times it feels like he was used just to make the plot move forward. Also, WHAT’S HIS NAME?! You would think the police would at least find out his name, instead of calling him Japanese man.
The Wailing keeps your eyes glued to the screen and you’re wondering who is the ghost and who is the demon. Who is telling the truth and who is lying? Will Jong-Goo be able to protect his daughter? The Wailing delivers on being a true K-Horror film.
RATING: 8.5/10
The Wailing currently streaming on: Rakuten Viki, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi
Watch The Trailer Here:
What do you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments below!
