Na Hong-jin, known for The Wailing and The Chaser, steps into the surreal and philosophical in Human, Space, Time and Human. The South Korean filmmaker’s segment within this experimental omnibus film explores humanity’s primal instincts and moral decay.
The story follows a group of strangers—politicians, soldiers, gangsters, and common citizens—trapped aboard an abandoned warship that drifts into uncharted waters. As isolation and scarcity take hold, the passengers devolve into brutal, primal behavior, revealing humanity’s darkest traits. Time becomes distorted, space feels infinite, and human nature spirals into chaos. Na Hong-jin’s segment mixes psychological horror and moral commentary, confronting existential questions about survival, greed, and corruption.
Visually striking yet emotionally unsettling, the film challenges audiences with its raw depiction of violence and moral degradation. Na Hong-jin’s signature style—sharp cinematography and bleak atmospheres—sets a tone that’s as nightmarish as it is thought-provoking. This short, as part of the anthology, offers a grim reflection of society’s fragile veneer of civility when confronted with desperation.
Na Hong-jin’s contribution to Human, Space, Time and Human delivers a harrowing vision of what happens when humans are stripped of order, forcing viewers to reckon with humanity’s terrifying potential.
Na Hong-jin Review
Na Hong-jin’s The Wailing is an electrifying and unsettling masterpiece that blurs the lines between horror, mystery, and psychological thriller. Set in a quiet South Korean village, the film unravels with chilling tension as a strange illness spreads, leading to bizarre deaths. The local police officer Jong-goo (Kwak Do-won) desperately searches for answers, encountering shamans, possessions, and an enigmatic outsider.
Na Hong-jin crafts an atmosphere drenched in dread, balancing realism and supernatural horror seamlessly. The village feels tangible, a space teetering on the edge of chaos, amplified by the grim cinematography and haunting sound design. Themes of faith, cultural superstition, and the unknowable nature of evil permeate every frame.
The film’s greatest strength is its ambiguity. Na refuses to spoon-feed answers, instead forcing viewers to question every character’s motives. The performances—particularly Kwak Do-won’s portrayal of a desperate father and Hwang Jung-min’s eccentric shaman—are superb, grounding the story in raw emotion.
While its pacing may feel deliberately slow, the narrative crescendos into an unforgettable finale. The Wailing isn’t just a horror movie—it’s an existential nightmare, designed to leave audiences haunted long after the credits roll. Na Hong-jin proves himself a master of genre-bending storytelling, cementing his place in modern cinema.
Na Hong-jin Trailer
Na Hong-jin Details
Movie Name: The Wailing
Duration: 156 min
IMDb Rating: 7.4
Genre: Horror
Director: Na Hong-jin
Cast: Kwak Do-won
Production: 20th Century Fox Korea
Language: Korean
Singer Name: –
Budget: $8 million
Release Date: 12/5/2016
Na Hong-jin Screenshot
Screenshot 1
Screenshot 2
