The Wailing

It reviews better than it plays — admired more than it is enjoyed.

• “Forget the inflated Trumpian moral dilemmas of "Superman" and "Captain America." The summer’s most powerful and most disturbing thriller has arrived, in the form of an intensely atmospheric Korean movie called The Wailing.”

  Andrew O'Hehir, Salon · 100

• “Not only is the film a compellingly told tale of suspense and terror, but it's crafted with such precision and sense of timing that one can cry "Masterpiece!" without being shamefaced or wondering if a hyperbole-induced crime against all good sense has just been committed.”

  Martyn Conterio, CineVue · 100

• “Na’s screenplay takes viewers to the root of evil in a manner that subverts expectations and cleverly manipulates cause and effect at almost every turn.”

  Jason Bechervaise, Screen Daily · 90

• “I love movies like The Wailing. Na Hong-jin’s film is like a genre buffet, with horror as the main course, but a hearty helping of mystery, crime drama, black comedy and family relations on the menu, as well. Don’t forget the side dishes of religion, superstition and ritual. It’s a full meal.”

  Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic · 90

• “Na Hong-jin's The Wailing is a work of thriller maximal-ism, a rare case of more actually being more rather than less.”

  Chuck Bowen, Slant Magazine · 88