Demon possession, witches, ghosts, or what could be a biological infection that turns people into mindless zombies. That’s what you may … or may not get from the new South Korean horror film, The Wailing. The movie was written and directed by the genre favorite Hong-jin Na, who’s serial killer film, The Chaser, received rave reviews and attracted an international audience. However, The Wailing seems to even top that where it has received a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from English language reviewers.

In the small, rural, mountain community of Goksung, a wandering foreigner of Japanese decent arrives and sets up home out in the woods. Soon villagers begin to go insane, come down with a grotesque rash, and begin to murder people including their own family members. Local constable, officer Jong-goo, probes the deaths and soon his investigation leads back to a woman dressed in white. What appears to be random crimes, soon begins to follow a bizarre pattern.

The Wailing could be called an art house horror film. With its long running time (almost three hours), its slow pace, and its peculiar mystery, the film would not seem to be for the typical horror fan. Yet being well made and delivering chills at the right moment, the movie has won over many folks besides the critics. Dark Discussions takes a look at this new Korean horror film and gives their opinion.