Nearly a decade after its release, Na Hong-jin’s The Wailing (2016) continues to haunt the horror landscape like an unsolved riddle whispered in the dark. With its deliberate pacing, folkloric horror, and masterful ambiguity, the film remains one of the most unnerving and unforgettable entries in modern horror cinema. In revisiting The Wailing, we uncover why it still resonates—and terrifies—in 2025.
The Setup: A Mysterious Epidemic
Set in the rural village of Gokseong, the story begins with local police officer Jong-goo investigating a string of gruesome murders and illnesses that seem to follow the arrival of a reclusive Japanese man. As suspicion grows and supernatural forces are suggested, Jong-goo’s journey becomes a descent into fear, superstition, and familial desperation.
“There’s no single answer in The Wailing. That’s what makes it so terrifying.”
— Na Hong-jin, Director Interview, BFI 2017
Why It Still Works: Layers Upon Layers
The Wailing doesn’t rely on cheap scares. Its terror is structural—it lingers in uncertainty. Is it a ghost story? A parable on xenophobia? A Christian allegory? A demonic possession tale? Yes. And also, no. The horror lies in the unresolved tension between all these interpretations.
[Core Interpretations]
Spiritual Warfare: Christian, shamanic, and demonic symbols clash violently.
Cultural Anxiety: A commentary on fear of outsiders and clashing traditions.
Parental Horror: At its heart, a father’s helplessness.
Cinematography: Nature as Menace
Visually, the film is stunning. Cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo crafts wide shots of misty hills and rain-soaked roads that ooze dread. Shadows are never just shadows. Silence is never just peace.
In Color: The film’s palette shifts from earthy greens and browns to vivid red during moments of spiritual violence—particularly the unforgettable dueling rituals sequence, where shamanistic drums and blood rituals clash with evil’s eerie calm.
Sound and Rhythm: Hypnotic Dread
The Wailing is 156 minutes long, yet it rarely feels bloated. Its rhythm is almost hypnotic. The use of sound—thunder, animal cries, wet footsteps—is immersive. And the soundtrack? Sparse, but surgical.
“You don’t hear the horror coming. You feel it.”
— Film Comment Magazine
Acting: Authentic and Raw
Kwak Do-won as Jong-goo delivers a heart-wrenching arc, shifting from comedic oaf to broken father.
Jun Kunimura as “The Stranger” remains one of horror’s most enigmatic villains.
Kim Hwan-hee as Hyo-jin brings emotional realism to a possession performance few child actors could carry.
[Performance Moment]
Hyo-jin screaming obscenities in a child’s voice while thrashing like an adult is still one of the most disturbing sequences in modern horror.
That Ending: Still Debated
The final minutes of The Wailing remain among the most debated endings in horror. Is the Japanese man a demon? Is the shaman in league with him? Was everything a test of faith? The lack of clarity is by design.
“The horror is that you don’t know who to trust—not even yourself.”
Jong-goo’s final decision, based on incomplete truths, leads to irreversible tragedy. And that’s perhaps the film’s darkest message: doubt is the true evil.
Why It Resonates in 2025
In an age of algorithmic entertainment and tidy resolutions, The Wailing endures because it refuses to explain itself. It demands rewatching. It invites debate. It challenges certainty.
The rise in global interest in folklore horror (Lamb, The Medium, La Llorona) owes a debt to The Wailing, which fused cultural specificity with universal fear. And as horror increasingly embraces nuance and ambiguity, The Wailing feels more relevant now than ever.
Should You (Re)Watch It?
✅ Yes, if:
You enjoy slow-burn psychological and spiritual horror.
You like films that don’t give easy answers.
You want to be disturbed on a deep, existential level.
⛔ No, if:
You prefer linear storytelling and clear villains.
You need a “twist ending” that ties everything together.
You’re impatient with subtitled, dialogue-heavy cinema.
Final Thoughts
The Wailing is a horror film that watches you back. It lingers. It festers. And years later, it still asks the same unbearable question:
What if the only thing worse than evil… is not recognizing it in time?
Where to Watch:
Now streaming on Shudder, Criterion Channel, and Prime Video (Korea & International)
