The Wailing

"Not everything that moves, breathes, and talks is alive."

2016’s deliciously disturbing The Wailing, directed by Na Hong-Jin, is a Korean horror film following the tale of a policeman who, after having his daughter seemingly possessed by and unknown spirit, is forced into uncovering the truth about a murder-inducing sickness spreading throughout his home village.

Never has a horror movie looked so good. While the numbered images I put in this review may not do the cinematography justice, trust me on this: The Wailing features some of the most professional camerawork I’ve seen in any horror film, ever. Although you may not think much of it at first, as its two-hour and 30 minutes runtime continues on, the more and more apparent the meticulously-made framing becomes; there is never a shot too short, nor a frame too dark. Who knew horror could look so real?

Oh, but never mind all that: putting aside great acting, perfect cinematography, an effective soundtrack… for most, they all come secondhand to the most important aspect of horror filmmaking. The real question is, “Is The Wailing scary?”

The answer: it is, but not in the fashion other genre movies such as itself would perform it. You see, out of such a long runtime, you’d think there would be at least one jump scare; it is a horror film, after all. However, I recall no such thing; no obnoxious and boisterous scares clogging the senses, no cheap, sudden burst of loud noise; The Wailing is terrifying to a “t,” something I can’t applaud it enough for. Build-ups, grand reveals, and haunting themes plague the air. Oftentimes, we are only left to see a hint of true terror, before being shown its full wrath after our main characters experience it for themselves.

Or, in other words, The Wailing is horrifying. Accidental wavering in its story is few and far between, making it one of the best horror films to come out of any country in 2016. Watch it at your own risk… if you dare.

8/10- Downright disturbing and chilling to the bone, The Wailing manages to weave an interesting character piece, terrifying fright-house, and a truly bone-rattling horror story all into one.