Ep. 051: The Wailing (2016)

14 thoughts on “Ep. 051: The Wailing (2016)”

1. C’mon, people. Leave us comments!

2. Nice episode! A couple years ago I kept hearing about The Wailing and Train to Busan and how amazing they both were. It seemed like they were always mentioned together, because they’re both Korean. I picked them both up at a wholesale store for like 2 bucks each. One of them was unquestionably awesome and the other was The Wailing. I watched it and I just thought, “I don’t get it.” I wish I could like it more, but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one that had trouble appreciating this one.

   1. Dr. Acula!
      Nice deal! $2 bucks each is a great price. I love finding movies for a great deal. I never used to be a collector, but in the past couple of years, people like Dr. Shock have inspired me. I have begun to purchase movies, so I’m always looking for good deals — especially for VHS tapes! Yep, it’s weird, but I’ve been collecting VHSes lately.

      OK. Sorry about that rabbit hole. I know exactly what you mean about wishing you could like “The Wailing” more. I feel exactly the same way. I think there’s an intangible, indescribable creep factor running beneath the surface of that film, but it’s sort of vague, so it’s easy to get distracted by the film’s less profound aspects. Thanks for your comment!
      -J

   2. Yup, you’re definitely not alone. Lol!

3. Usually I save HMW episodes until Monday during the day while I’m at work, but last night I found myself with some extra time and decided to listen to the episode earlier than usual. While perusing the show notes of the episode I stumbled across your ratings for The Wailing and was shocked to see them so low because I remember really liking this film when I first saw it in 2016. I actually stopped the episode right at the top and decided to watch the movie again to see if your ratings reflected how I felt about the movie now. I’m so glad I did, because there was so much I had forgotten about film. While I still think it is beautifully shot, with lovely cinematography, makeup, set design, and location, I did find myself agreeing with a lot of what you said about the movie, including the shared appreciation of the above listed. There were negative aspects also that I had either overlooked, or forgotten about, since the first viewing. Most notable is the runtime! This film is epic, and epically long. The plot is thick, convoluted at times, and may get lost a little bit in its many aspects, and time consuming nature.
   I found the Korean/Japanese cultural clash allegory very interesting, highlighted by how everyone in the town kept blaming the Japanese man for everything. It made me wonder what cultural undertones went over my head, and would be curious about what other people people noticed.
   I prefer a serious, no-comedy-blend of horror, and definitely felt like this had elements of almost slapstick that I thought detracted from the overall tone of the film. I thought the bumbling, rural, inept police theme was a little wearing, and wished it stayed on the serious side in certain situations. But even still, it’s beautiful to watch, with rich landscapes, and stylish cinematography, and the infected are some of the scariest looking ever! I would rate this a bit higher than you all, but I totally understand the critiques you covered in your review. I’m all for foreign arthouse horror, and feel like this is a welcome inclusion to the genre, even though it’s long enough to be two contributions! 2016 proved to be a great year for horror, with the other obvious contribution from South Korea that year, the more popular Train To Busan, which is fantastic!
   I do want to thank you for covering a foreign horror film, and think they make some of the best contributions to horror in general. I’m glad to see one getting some play here!

   1. Oh maaaaaan, I wrote a book! Ha! Thanks for reading.

   2. Hi Libby!
      First of all, you’re always welcome to write however much you want. We appreciate you taking the time to share your well-thought comments. I’m really impressed that you paused the episode to re-watch “The Wailing” along with us, so you could weigh in with your current take. Thank you!

      I truly believe that this film works best upon its first viewing. I think it loses a lot upon repeat viewings, and that’s a shame. I own the Blu-ray, though, and I could see myself putting this movie on in the background (while I’m editing podcasts or something) for a passive viewing. Kind of like a creepy backdrop film. I’m reminded of 1999 when I visited the Andy Warhol museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Cool place, if you ever get a chance.) Anyway, there’s a room with a little TV that’s playing a very bizarre film — a la “The Ring’s” equestrian death tape. And the film really isn’t the main attraction. It just contributes to the creepiness of the room. Anyway, I could see “The Wailing” being a decent, creepy, background film.

      You used a good word when you said “convoluted.” I agree that the plot is problematic. I’m glad you mentioned the Korean / Japanese cultural clash. When we talked about missing some cultural elements, we didn’t zero in on that friction. And BillChete and I are both with you about preferring *dead serious,* zero comedy Horror movies. And well said, I agree that 2016 was a good year for Horror. In fact, the 2010s decade was pretty great overall. Thanks for writing!
      -J

   3. Glad you liked the episode! And we definitely agree.

   4. Great observations and comments. I think the Japanese/Korean culture clash you mentioned comes from Japan’s colonization of Korea from 1910-1945. Unfortunately these is still some hostility and negative attitudes towards Japan that exist due to the atrocities inflicted on the Korean people (real life horror, horror in the daylight, children And women in peril…)

      I agree it’s long and a little convoluted but still enjoyed it. Have you seen Burning(2018) ? I think it’s just as long but is full of tension and doesn’t drag. It’s not full blown horror but has the elements . And we are in the golden age of horror

4. I feel like I should defend a few aspects of this film a from the Korean cultural perspective, lest people think The Wailing is the Korean version of The Naked Gun. I am not Korean, but I did live there for six years and have watched lots of Korean film. I think some of your (mostly Bill’s 😉 critiques of this film are more about cultural differences than they are flaws of the film makers. The first aspect is about the main character. In general, the police in Korea are not the intimidating force that they are here in America. It’s not as prestigious or as dangerous of a job. I don’t know if it’s because there is less crime and no guns, but it’s not as difficult to be a police officer. A year of Military training is required for all Korean men, but that doesn’t mean they are all soldiers. The principal of the school I worked at told me he used to fall asleep in the firing range during shooting practice. So I think there is a cultural tone you guys may be missing.

   Not all Korean cops are bumbling fools of course, but it is easier for a bumbling fool to be a cop in Korea than in America I guess, especially in a small town where there would be less people and less crime. I see the main character as this schlub who is moping his way through life, getting pulled into these situations he wants nothing to do with (being a father, being a cop). He’s not like-able but he’s not a farce, and the role wasn’t poorly acted in my opinion.

   The other aspect is how the main character labels people in his phone. Koreans call people by their titles more than by name. You call your brother “brother’ and sister “sister.” It’s not unusual, him to have “wife” in his phone. It’s more a term of endearment.

   So those ar emu defenses. Having said all that, I do not have a defense for the length of the film and how confusing it is at times.

   Loved the conversation as always. I was excited to hear the episode when Jay picked it last week, even though I didn’t expect you guys to love it. Thank to Bill for the follow on letterbox.
   Peace and love

   1. Hi Anthony!
      Thanks for writing! I’m so appreciative that you shared your insights with us. (I especially liked your comment because your feedback seems to support my argument with BillChete that some cultural nuances may be lost on us Americans. ha ha) That was interesting to read about the nature of the Korean police force. I had no idea. I thought those who work for law enforcement agencies were, generally speaking, a similar personality type. (You know, some people are “Protectors.” Some are “Peace Keepers.” Some are “Authoritarian,” etc.)

      I know I said it during this episode, but I still contend that the “slacker” nature of our cowardly policeman protagonist provided a scary dynamic for me, seeing as how he was up against such a ferocious, evil adversary.

      I also liked your insights about the generic labeling of names on his phone. Though I didn’t get to mention it during the episode, I was smiling the whole time because our very own BillChete has occasionally referred to his sweetheart as “the wife” on our show! ha ha

      It seems like the consensus in most of our comments is that the film is too long and a bit confusing. I appreciate everyone’s honest feedback and not feeling like they need to side with the rave reviews of arthouse critics. Thanks for writing, Beijing Beast! Great comment!
      -J

      1. Ha, thanks Jay!
         Glad to contribute
         I love the concept of the cowardly police protagonist as scary.. like this is our savior against the evil force?! We are all doomed… as he bumbles over his breakfast rice.

         Yeah I love arthouse and I love Korean horror, and I will watch this a third time.. but I am glutton for punishment. Looking forward to Sunday’s episode

   2. Thanks for letting us know! That’s very interesting to know!

5. Wow, I love this movie. I don’t think we get to apply American standards to foreign flicks. Their movie tropes are different, even within themselves. I love this movie and I’m proud to have it in my collection. It’s not about reality…it’s ghosts and spirits…there are many movies where our protagonist is a loser.

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