The Wailing Review
written by Souranath Banerjee
A bit too long for a horror film and yet, it still manages to grip you by the fear!
My Ratings: 4/5
There was a soaring anticipation for this latest horror flick made by the acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Hong-jin Na who had earlier given us a couple of brilliant movies like The Chaser and The Yellow Sea!
And I must say The Wailing (original title Goksung) surely lives up to our expectations!
In a remote village a series of unnatural deaths perplex both the villagers and the police.
Jong-Goo (Do Won Kwak), a police man soon suspects something beyond ordinary logic and reasoning; may be the rumours of a demonic stranger who have started residing near the village has to do something with all these grotesque murders. Or may be not!
Essentially a Korean folk lore and a mix of various religious beliefs and rituals, The Wailing creates a world so puzzling and disturbing that we keep seeking for the answers till the very end frames of the film.
Visually pleasing or rather unsettling; dark images, often pretty violent and savage perfect for the mood of the film – thanks to Kyung-pyo Hong‘s cinematography.
And such brilliant acting – very believable performances by Do Won Kwak, Jun Kunimura, Jung-min Hwang, specially the little girl Hwan-hee Kim was superb in the film.
A must watch suspense-horror that reveals itself when you least expect it!
Poster courtesy: www.impawards.com.