Horror Double Feature—The Cure and The Wailing

Japanese and Korean cinema have delivered some of the most haunting and thought-provoking horror films in global cinema. Two standout examples, The Cure (1997; dir. Kiyoshi Kurosawa) from Japan and The Wailing (2016; dir. Na Hong-jin) from South Korea, represent the pinnacle of their respective traditions.

Both films explore violence, belief, and the unknown, but their narrative structure, style, and themes are unique. The Cure and The Wailing are standalone works of art, each offering a unique, unsettling, and terrifying tale of terror. 

Premise: The Cure

Set in a dreary, rain-soaked Tokyo, The Cure follows detective Kenichi Takabe (Kōji Yakusho) as he investigates a series of brutal, inexplicable murders. Each crime is committed by a different person, seemingly without motive, but all share a chilling signature—an “X” carved into the victim’s neck. The investigation leads Takabe to a mysterious drifter named Mamiya (Masato Hagiwara), whose hypnotic manipulation appears to drive ordinary people to kill.

The film focuses on psychological terror and existential dread, leaving viewers to question whether Mamiya’s abilities are rooted in psychological manipulation, supernatural influence, or both. The Cureavoids clear answers, instead creating an atmosphere of unease that lingers long after the credits roll.

Premise: The Wailing

Set in a rural Korean village plagued by a mysterious epidemic of gruesome deaths and bizarre behavior. Bumbling and lazy police officer Jong-goo (Kwak Do-won) begins investigating the outbreaks, which seem to coincide with the arrival of a reclusive Japanese stranger (Jun Kunimura). As the film progresses, Jong-goo’s own daughter falls victim to the strange affliction, forcing him into a desperate quest to uncover the truth.

Unlike The Cure, The Wailing embraces a wide range of supernatural elements, blending shamanistic rituals, Christian imagery, and Korean folklore. The result is a sprawling, emotionally charged story that explores faith, cultural identity, and a brutal struggle to make sense of incomprehensible evil.

Antagonists

The Cure’s antagonist is Mamiya , an enigmatic but unassuming individual who we meet very early on. He never raises his voice or even seems legitimately threatening, yet his presence is deeply unsettling. His ability to manipulate others into committing horrific acts seems to defy explanation, leaving his true nature—whether purely psychological or supernatural—open to interpretation.

• The Wailing:

The Wailing, on the other hand, complicates its narrative with multiple layers of ambiguity surrounding several antagonists.

• The Japanese Stranger: This reclusive figure, portrayed by Jun Kunimura, is initially viewed with suspicion by the villagers, and as the film progresses, his role becomes more sinister. His connection to demonic or folkloric forces is overtly supernatural, making him an embodiment of the unknown and the terrifying power of otherness

• The Shaman: The shaman, played by Hwang Jung-min, adds to the spiritual chaos. Initially appearing as a protector hired to expel evil, his motives and effectiveness become questionable as his rituals grow increasingly erratic and catastrophic. His character symbolizes the precarious balance between tradition and fear, and his actions sow further doubt in Jong-goo’s mind.

• The Ghostly Woman: Another antagonist—or possibly an ally—is the mysterious ghostly woman (Chun Woo-hee). Her warnings to Jong-goo conflict with the shaman’s rituals and create further tension. Is she a protective spirit, a malevolent force, or something in between? Her ambiguous role amplifies the film’s thematic exploration of faith and doubt, good and evil.

Where Mamiya in The Cure is singular and understated, the antagonists in The Wailing create a tangled web of supernatural and spiritual forces. Each character challenges the protagonist, and the audience, to confront their assumptions about what is real and what can be trusted.

Themes

• The Cure is deeply existential, exploring themes of identity, control, and the fragility of free will. It raises chilling questions about what drives people to commit violence and whether there can be times when we aren’t truly in control of our actions. The horrors in The Cure are as much about the mind’s vulnerabilities as they are about external threats.

• The Wailing:

• The Wailing is steeped in spiritual and cultural themes, grappling with the coexistence of shamanistic rituals, Christian theology, and Korean folklore. It examines faith, paranoia, and the destructive power of fear. Where The Cure focuses inward on the psyche, The Wailing broadens its scope to explore spiritual conflicts.

Final Thoughts

While The Cure and The Wailing both leave lasting impressions, they are distinct in their approaches and appeals. The Cure is a cold, cerebral journey into the fragility of the human mind, offering a slow burn that demands reflection. The Wailing is an emotional rollercoaster, blending humor, terror, and spiritual uncertainty. 

Each film rewards viewers with a singular experience not successfully copied in any other film. Whether you prefer the psychological unease of The Cure or the supernatural chaos of The Wailing, both films showcase the power of horror to probe the depths of human nature and belief.