The Wailing

Name: The Wailing
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy, Horror
Released: June 3, 2016
Duration: 156 min
Rating: 81
Cast: Jeong-min Hwang, Jun Kunimura

2016

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 179 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 179 Ratings

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The Wailing (Trailer 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

Well Go USA Entertainment | Release Date: June 3, 2016 | Not Rated

Starring: Jeong-min Hwang, Jun Kunimura

Summary: A foreigner’s mysterious appearance in a quiet, rural village causes suspicion among the locals - suspicion which quickly turns to hysteria as the townspeople begin killing each other in brutal outbursts for seemingly no reason. As the investigating officer watches his daughter fall under the same savage spell, he agrees to consult aA foreigner’s mysterious appearance in a quiet, rural village causes suspicion among the locals - suspicion which quickly turns to hysteria as the townspeople begin killing each other in brutal outbursts for seemingly no reason. As the investigating officer watches his daughter fall under the same savage spell, he agrees to consult a shaman for answers - unknowingly escalating the situation into something far more dangerous. [Well Go USA]… Expand

Director: Hong-jin Na

Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy, Horror

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 156 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Martyn Conterio

Nov 23, 2016

Not only is the film a compellingly told tale of suspense and terror, but it's crafted with such precision and sense of timing that one can cry "Masterpiece!" without being shamefaced or wondering if a hyperbole-induced crime against all good sense has just been committed. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Jun 9, 2016

I love movies like The Wailing. Na Hong-jin’s film is like a genre buffet, with horror as the main course, but a hearty helping of mystery, crime drama, black comedy and family relations on the menu, as well. Don’t forget the side dishes of religion, superstition and ritual. It’s a full meal. Read full review

Chuck Bowen

May 25, 2016

Na Hong-jin's The Wailing is a work of thriller maximal-ism, a rare case of more actually being more rather than less. Read full review

Justin Chang

Jun 2, 2016

What makes The Wailing so unusually disturbing is the almost palpable aura of evil it radiates from calm start to sorrowful finish. More disturbing still is the way that evil can seem indistinguishable from compassion. Read full review

Empire David Hughes

Nov 21, 2016

Two-and-a-half hours long, but never slow, The Wailing takes its time to burrow under your skin, but by the time it weaves its dark, potent spell, it leaves you with a lingering, unshakeable sense of dread that Hollywood horror films can rarely muster. Read full review

Josh Kupecki

Aug 3, 2016

Horror movies tend to be pretty quick affairs, clocking in at 90 minutes or less, but The Wailing runs over two-and-a-half hours. That's because Na's recipe absolutely requires simmering before it rips your guts out (and everyone else's). Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

May 24, 2016

This is horror filmmaking that's designed to work on you like a virus, slowly incapacitating your defenses so it can build up and do some real damage. Read full review

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User Reviews

GOUGH

Jun 3, 2016

Great film. Horrifying experience. At first you're a little offset with the goofy characters, but sticking with it and them, you become trapped, or "hooked". Gut wrenching drama for sure. Scary. If you're not careful, you'll be wailing your self. There IS a LOT of WAILING, to be sure. GO SEEGreat film. Horrifying experience. At first you're a little offset with the goofy characters, but sticking with it and them, you become trapped, or "hooked". Gut wrenching drama for sure. Scary. If you're not careful, you'll be wailing your self. There IS a LOT of WAILING, to be sure. GO SEE IT NOW!!… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

MilitiaRobbo

Jan 17, 2020

Look, I never give movies a 10 except Scarface and The Gentlmen, but this is a 10. The story is sooooo well written, it's THE MOST original horror/thriller I've ever seen and nothing in the genre has ever closely compared to it for me. The only thing close to as good as this in the genre isLook, I never give movies a 10 except Scarface and The Gentlmen, but this is a 10. The story is sooooo well written, it's THE MOST original horror/thriller I've ever seen and nothing in the genre has ever closely compared to it for me. The only thing close to as good as this in the genre is The Ring.… Expand