Where can I watch The Wailing in the US?

As of 24 October 2026, TMDB/JustWatch data lists it on fuboTV, Hi-YAH, and the Fandor, Screambox, Midnight Pulp and Hi-YAH channels on Amazon. It is also free with ads on Rakuten Viki, and you can rent or buy it on Google Play Movies and YouTube.

Who is in the cast of The Wailing?

Kwak Do-won stars as police officer Jong-goo, alongside Hwang Jung-min (Il-gwang), Chun Woo-hee (Moo-myeong), Jun Kunimura (the Stranger) and Kim Hwan-hee (Hyo-jin). The film is written and directed by Na Hong-jin.

How long is The Wailing?

The Wailing runs for 156 minutes, which is about 2 hours and 36 minutes.

What language is The Wailing in?

The film is mainly in Korean, with some dialogue in Japanese. Its original title is 곡성.

The Wailing (2016): Plot, Cast & Where to Watch

The Wailing: plot summary (no spoilers)

In a quiet rural community in South Korea, ordinary life starts to come apart. Residents fall victim to a strange illness, and a series of violent deaths leaves the local police struggling for answers. Rumours spread quickly, and many villagers point their suspicion at a Japanese stranger who has recently settled nearby.

Jong-goo, a small-town police officer more used to routine than real danger, finds himself at the centre of the investigation. The case stops being just a job when his young daughter, Hyo-jin, begins to show troubling symptoms of her own. Desperate to protect her, Jong-goo looks beyond police work and into the world of folk belief, shamanism and the occult, where curses, spirits and rituals may hold an explanation.

As the line between superstition and reality blurs, Jong-goo has to decide whom to trust and how far he is willing to go for his family. The film keeps its mysteries deliberately ambiguous, so viewers are left to piece together the truth alongside its increasingly frantic hero.

The Wailing — Mood illustration, not a still from the film — Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What makes The Wailing notable

Director and writer: Na Hong-jin both wrote and directed the film, giving it a single, distinctive vision.
Cast: Kwak Do-won leads as Jong-goo, with Hwang Jung-min as Il-gwang, Chun Woo-hee as Moo-myeong, and Japanese actor Jun Kunimura as the Stranger. Kim Hwan-hee plays Jong-goo’s daughter Hyo-jin, and Heo Jin, Jang So-yeon, Kim Do-yoon, Cho Han-chul and Son Kang-gook round out the supporting cast.
Genre: A blend of horror and mystery rooted in folk horror. It draws on shamanism, possession, exorcism and divination, all set against a police investigation in the countryside.
Origin: A South Korean and US co-production involving Fox International Productions, Ivanhoe Pictures, Side Mirror and 20th Century Fox Korea. The dialogue is in Korean and Japanese.
Length: At 156 minutes, it is a long, slow-burning film that takes its time building dread rather than relying on quick scares.
Tagline: “Never be tempted.”

If you are searching for a review of The Wailing, you can check the Drama4U Score shown on this page for an overall audience picture.

Who will enjoy The Wailing?

Fans of folk horror and stories steeped in local religion and superstition
Viewers who like slow-burn mysteries that leave room for interpretation
Anyone exploring Korean cinema beyond dramas and thrillers
Horror fans who prefer atmosphere and unease to jump scares
Audiences interested in shamanism, exorcism and occult themes

Release date & where to watch The Wailing in the US

The Wailing first premiered on 12 May 2016. In the United States, it opened in a limited theatrical release on 20 May 2016, followed by a wider theatrical release on 3 June 2016. It was released unrated (NR) in the US.

As of 24 October 2026, TMDB/JustWatch data lists the following US options:

Streaming (subscription): fuboTV, Hi-YAH, plus the Fandor, Screambox, Midnight Pulp and Hi-YAH channels on Amazon
Free with ads: Rakuten Viki
Rent or buy: Google Play Movies and YouTube

Streaming catalogues change often, so check each service for current availability. A trailer for The Wailing is available.

Trailer

Cast

Kwak Do-wonas Jong-goo
Hwang Jung-minas Il-gwangSee credits →
Chun Woo-heeas Moo-myeong
Jun Kunimuraas The StrangerSee credits →
Kim Hwan-heeas Hyo-jin
Heo Jinas Mother-in-Law
Jang So-yeonas Jong-goo's Wife
Kim Do-yoonas Yang Yi-samSee credits →

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was The Wailing released?: The Wailing premiered on 12 May 2016. In the US, it opened in a limited theatrical release on 20 May 2016 and went into wider theatrical release on 3 June 2016.
Where can I watch The Wailing in the US?: As of 24 October 2026, TMDB/JustWatch data lists it on fuboTV, Hi-YAH, and the Fandor, Screambox, Midnight Pulp and Hi-YAH channels on Amazon. It is also free with ads on Rakuten Viki, and you can rent or buy it on Google Play Movies and YouTube.
Who is in the cast of The Wailing?: Kwak Do-won stars as police officer Jong-goo, alongside Hwang Jung-min (Il-gwang), Chun Woo-hee (Moo-myeong), Jun Kunimura (the Stranger) and Kim Hwan-hee (Hyo-jin). The film is written and directed by Na Hong-jin.
How long is The Wailing?: The Wailing runs for 156 minutes, which is about 2 hours and 36 minutes.
What language is The Wailing in?: The film is mainly in Korean, with some dialogue in Japanese. Its original title is 곡성.

Sources

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