Can you imagine your safe place, your haven, your personal Eden becoming tinted with something vile, something despicable, something that exists only to wither the life force that makes this place special?
The Wailing, 2016, is a Supernatural Horror / Mystery / Thriller movie directed by Na Hong-jin and is set in the rural village of Gokseong. This film in 2.5 hours delivers one of the most spell binding and provoking supernatural piece of storytelling famed to be one of the best to emerge in this century. I tell you this movie really took me on a trip.
It is centred around a local policeman, Jong-goo played by Do-won Kwak who tries to investigates a series of mysterious deaths and bizarre illnesses spreading through the village.This leads Jong-Goo and his partner, Oh Sung-Bok (Kang-gook Son) on a twisty road. Then all signs begin to point to a Japanese Monk, Jun Kunimura, a stranger who recently moved into the area and the rumours started flying that he could either be a demon or ghost.
Jong-goo is drawn into a world of rituals, exorcisms, and spiritual warfare, especially after his own daughter becomes afflicted with the strange boils.
As the tension escalates and the supernatural seeps into every corner of the town, the question now becomes;
what’s really happening, and who or what, is responsible for the murders?
The revelation would blow off your mind!!!
It is a strikingly beautiful film with great performances by all, particularly the little girl and the father, Do-won Kwak.
The cinematography is both beautiful and haunting with a lush rural area but a decaying town at the centre.
It is a film that will remain stuck in my head for a very long time. The imagery, the costuming and the crew, contributed towards making the movie a masterpiece.
I give it a 4.5/5 rating.
I am and thank you for stopping by my neighbourhood.