The Wailing (2016), Dumplings (2004), Train to Busan (2016)

Revisited Korean horror epic The Wailing (2016) the other night. Directed by Hong-jin Na, of The Chaser (2008) which I enjoyed and The Yellow Sea (2010), which I've not yet seen but probably should before too long. The Wailing begins as something of an infected horror. A small rural village is plagued with inexplicable rashes followed by violent mania, perhaps related to a mysterious Japanese gentleman who has taken up residence in a nearby forest. But the plot thickens instead of devolving into the usual carnage and sieges. Investigating police officer Jong-goo and his colleagues blunder about, and by the by his daughter Hyo-jin becomes afflicted, even seeming possessed. A shaman is summoned for help, but things are not to go simply or smoothly...

This is one of those horrors in which the supernatural is bound inextricably to ordinary human failing. Certainly the evil here is formidable, enigmatic, implacable, but the villagers wracked with gossip, superstition and xenophobia, cut off from civilisation, and police force hot headed but short on bravery, integrity or wisdom, are still more than helpful. And its also one of those horrors, fewer in number, in which that bond is worked through at leisure and without compromise. A good near two and a half hours long, and it makes use of it. This sort of thing can get to be a drag, gloomy, inevitable, not actually much fun, but the ever shifting plotting and multiplying mysteries of The Wailing give it considerable intrigue. It also has regular injections of creeps and tension, it may be thoughtful and measured of pace but it's no sedate to no key ambiguous arthouse picture. The thoughtful side, the scares and the pace all work together, always compelling, never allowing relaxation. Pacy action is just too much like easygoing fun for really effective horror in my book, at least not until a climax and then only for a little time. Here there is a definite quickening and climax, but as mentioned, no compromise. This is one that can be watched a few times to really get the measure of.

Everything is assembled with skill and played on point, the actors move with grim force through confusion and anger and fear and desperation, and tragic little flickers of understanding. The film looks great, it has its own lost little semi fantastical world even in what seems to be modern times. Early on and even throughout there are images of calm, stillness, natural beauty. Not just empty prettiness though, but a sense of a world where these things can happen, a world that abides but offers no respite.

This definitely won't be for everyone, and for my own tastes I perhaps could have gone for just a little more grue or freakishness on screen. But these are minor quibbles, this is one of the best horrors of recent years. Strongly recommended.