The Wailing(2016) Review: "A Horror Thriller Comedy That Delivers a Good Experience"

Director: Na Hong-jin
Starring: Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, Chun Woo-hee
Producers: Suh Dong-hyun
Production House: Side Mirror
Music Director: Jang Young-gyu
Cinematography: Hong Kyung-pyo
Editor: Kim Sun-min
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Comedy
Language: Korean
Runtime: 156 minutes
Release Date: 2016-05-12
OTT Platform: Amazon Prime

Plot: 

The peaceful village of Gokseong is thrown into chaos when a mysterious illness begins spreading, causing bizarre and violent behavior among the residents. Police officer Jong-goo (Kwak Do-won) is drawn into the investigation as the incidents become increasingly disturbing. As suspicion falls on a mysterious Japanese man living in the outskirts of the village, Jong-goo must unravel the truth behind the chaos, leading him into a chilling confrontation with ancient and supernatural forces.

Performances:

Kwak Do-won:
Kwak Do-won, who plays the police officer, delivers a terrific performance. He fully embodies the character of a terrified father, balancing love and fear with brilliant execution.

Hwang Jung-min:
Hwang Jung-min, who portrays the satanic figure, despite limited screen time, delivers an outstanding performance in the climax. His portrayal is intense and memorable.

Kim Hwan-hee:
Kim Hwan-hee, the young actress playing the main lead's daughter, delivers a fantastic performance. Her commendable portrayal is impressive, especially given her age.

Chun Woo-hee:
Chun Woo-hee, who plays the exorcist performing traditional Korean rituals, offers an honest and authentic performance, adding depth to the story.

Supporting Cast:
The supporting cast, including actors like Jun Kunimura and others, contributes beautifully to the film, enhancing the suspense and delivering performances that maintain the thrilling atmosphere.

Technical Aspects:

Direction:
Na Hong-jin does an extraordinary job steering the film in the right direction. The concept is strong, though the runtime feels lengthy in the middle. However, the director succeeds in diving deeper into the story, keeping the audience engaged.

Cinematography:
Hong Kyung-pyo's cinematography is effective, with well-framed shots that contribute to the film's overall atmosphere.

Music:
Jang Young-gyu provides apt and fitting music for the film, with re-recording that complements the scenes well.

Production Values:
The production values are impressive, reflecting the film’s needs and enhancing its overall impact.

Strengths:

• Concept
• Performances
• Twist
• Climax

Weaknesses:

• Unnecessary scenes
• Overextended runtime

My Personal Take on Cinema:

‘The Wailing’ is a film with a strong concept that effectively delivers thrills. It starts with some comedic scenes and dialogue, transitioning smoothly into horror and suspense. Despite a few unnecessary scenes and a somewhat lengthy runtime, the film picks up pace as the story progresses. Na Hong-jin handles the narrative brilliantly, though a few edits could have streamlined the experience. The cinematography and music are well-executed, and the climax is particularly well-crafted. Overall, "The Wailing" is a solid horror thriller that genre fans will likely appreciate.

Rating: 3/5