The Wailing 2016

In a secluded mountain hamlet in South Korea, a reclusive Japanese individual has taken up residence, shrouded in mystery. As if foretold by an ominous omen, a mysterious illness begins to ravage the local populace, manifesting as a peculiar rash that ultimately gives way to violent outbursts, followed by a trance-like state and eventually, a tragic demise.

As Police Officer Jong-goo delves deeper into the enigmatic case, his path crosses with Moo-myeong (“no name” in Korean), an enigmatic young woman who whispers cryptic tales of the Japanese stranger. Her sudden disappearance only adds to the sense of unease that has begun to settle over the village.

A local hunter shares a chilling account with Jong-goo, recounting his encounter with the near-naked stranger feasting on a deer while radiating an otherworldly glow. The eerie similarity between this tale and Jong-goo’s own recurring nightmares leaves him unsettled, as if the very fabric of reality is beginning to unravel.

As tensions escalate, Jong-goo enlists the aid of another police officer and a Japanese-speaking deacon, tasking them with investigating the stranger’s abode while he is away. The deacon’s gruesome discovery - a collection of haunting images depicting the infected and murdered villagers’ belongings - leaves him too stunned to convey his findings.

Upon their return, the stranger’s guard dog attacks Jong-goo and the deacon, prompting the stranger to intervene and restore order. His calm demeanor only serves to further heighten the sense of unease that has taken hold of the village.

As if summoned by a malevolent force, the police officer reveals to Jong-goo the disturbing truth he uncovered, accompanied by a tangible piece of evidence - a shoe belonging to Jong-goo’s daughter, Hyo-jin. Her subsequent illness and descent into madness mirrors the very symptoms afflicting the villagers, leaving Jong-goo consumed by rage and desperation.

With his emotions in turmoil, Jong-goo seeks out the stranger, accompanied by the deacon, only to find that all incriminating evidence has been reduced to ashes. His pent-up fury directed at the worship room, he unleashes a devastating reckoning upon the space, culminating in the merciless slaughter of the guard dog. As the stranger’s impassive countenance remains steadfast, Jong-goo demands his departure from the village, issuing a stark ultimatum: “Leave this place and take your secrets with you.”

In a desperate bid to save her granddaughter Hyo-jin from the clutches of an unseen evil, Jong-goo’s mother-in-law turns to the mysterious Il-gwang, a shaman rumored to possess ancient knowledge. As Il-gwang performs a ritual to exorcise the malevolent force, a stranger in a nearby house conducts his own dark incantation, further complicating the situation. Jong-goo, consumed by worry for his daughter’s worsening condition, interrupts the ritual and rushes Hyo-jin to the hospital, where she remains in a state of agony.

The following day, fueled by anger and desperation, Jong-goo assembles a group of trusted friends to hunt down the stranger they believe is responsible for the mysterious affliction and brutal murders plaguing their village. As they close in on their quarry, however, they are ambushed by another infected villager, forcing them to defend themselves. The pursuit culminates with Jong-goo and his companions striking down the stranger with their vehicle, only to dispose of his lifeless body as Moo-myeong watches from a distance.

Upon returning home, Jong-goo is met with an unexpected turn of events: Hyo-jin’s condition seems to have improved. But Il-gwang is skeptical, sensing that they may have killed the wrong person. Later, he encounters Moo-myeong, and his suspicions are confirmed when she begins vomiting blood. Il-gwang contacts Jong-goo, revealing that Moo-myeong is actually the demon they’ve been searching for.

As Jong-goo grapples with this new information, Moo-myeong appears at his doorstep, imploring him to believe her. She reveals that she had set a trap for the true demon, but its effectiveness hinges on Jong-goo’s ability to resist temptation and remain outside his home. Meanwhile, Il-gwang calls Jong-goo, urging him not to trust Moo-myeong, who in turn warns Jong-goo about Il-gwang’s treachery.

Torn between conflicting claims and desperate to protect his family, Jong-goo hesitates before making a move. In the end, he decides to leave his home behind and rush to save his loved ones, but not before Moo-myeong seizes him, her skin taking on an eerie pallor as he notices she’s wearing personal items belonging to some of the victims.

As Jong-goo pulls away, the floral trap outside withers, a sign that the demon’s hold is weakening. Meanwhile, the deacon encounters the Japanese stranger in a cave, where he bears witness to the stranger’s terrifying transformation into a demon.

Back at Jong-goo’s home, he arrives to find that Hyo-jin has slaughtered their family in a gruesome display of demonic possession. Horrified, Jong-goo calls out to his daughter, but she stabs him and falls into a trance-like state. Il-gwang arrives soon after, capturing the horrific scene on film before inadvertently dropping a box filled with photographs of other victims.

As Jong-goo’s life slips away in his home, he is visited by visions of happier times with Hyo-jin, reassuring her that he will always protect her.