The Wailing

The Wailing

Year: 2016

Runtime: 156 min

Language: Korean

Director: Hong-jin Na

MysteryThrillerFantasyHorror

A mysterious stranger's arrival in a quiet rural village brings an unsettling atmosphere and growing suspicion. As unexplained illnesses and disturbing events plague the community, fear and violence erupt among the residents. A local police officer investigates the escalating crisis while his daughter falls ill, leading him to seek help from a shaman. His search for answers unleashes an ancient and terrifying power, endangering the entire village.

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In a secluded mountain village where daily life moves at the pace of the seasons, the arrival of a foreign visitor shatters the quiet rhythm and awakens a lingering sense of dread. Whispered rumors spread as strange ailments begin to surface, turning the familiar landscape into a place of unease. The community’s close‑knit bonds are tested by an atmosphere that feels both intimate and ominously expansive, hinting at forces beyond ordinary understanding that linger just out of sight.

Jong‑goo, the village’s dedicated police officer, finds himself pulled into the growing mystery when the unsettling events start to touch his own family. His daughter, Hyo‑jin, begins to show signs of the inexplicable illness that has gripped the townspeople, forcing him to confront the limits of his authority and the depth of his personal resolve. Seeking answers beyond the reach of ordinary investigation, he turns to Il‑gwang, a shaman whose rituals echo ancient traditions, bringing a spiritual dimension to the mounting tension.

Amidst the swirling fear, an enigmatic presence known only as the stranger moves through the shadows, his motives and nature concealed behind a veil of silence. A quiet, nameless woman—Moo‑myeong—appears at moments that feel both coincidental and purposeful, offering cryptic insights that blur the line between help and hazard. The film balances a brooding, atmospheric tone with moments of stark, rural beauty, inviting viewers to feel the weight of unseen forces pressing against the fragile human connections at the heart of the story.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 03:54

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