In 2016, Na Hong-jin’s South Korean horror film was released to universal acclaim, piquing the interest of Ridley Scott, who began talks about wanting to produce a remake. Shortly after the film’s release, Scott Free Productions, the film and TV production company founded by Scott and his brother Tony, reached out to the head of Fox International Production Korea.
Noting that Na’s film reminded them of seminal horror movies such as The Exorcist and The Ring, Scott Free Productions were excited by the idea of making an English-language remake. It’s not uncommon for foreign horror films to receive remakes, though it’s not always an easy task to pull off.
Various legends, folklore, and societal norms connected to a specific country or culture are often woven into the narrative. While it’s easy for audiences around the world to pick up on the specifics of such details, translating them into a different setting is not as simple.
The Wailing Is A Near-Perfect Horror Movie
Na’s film, The Wailing, is one of the best Korean horror films of all time, with a complex narrative that packs in as many horror elements as possible. Thankfully, The Wailing stays coherent and rarely feels overstuffed with tropes. Set in a small South Korean village, The Wailing follows the events after a mysterious stranger arrives in town.
Soon after the stranger’s arrival, it appears they may be connected to a series of sudden, unexplainable murders. The Wailing establishes a chilling atmosphere right away, which is greatly enhanced by Hong Kyung-pyo’s cinematography and the cast’s convincingly frightened performances.
The Wailing has a runtime of two and a half hours, but doesn’t drag along and keeps the audience’s attention with its well-crafted suspense. Throughout the film, The Wailing cleverly subverts the audience’s expectations with its several twists and turns.
These twists, while they may confuse some, are methodical and experimental, separating The Wailing from anything Western audiences are used to. The unexpected reveal of a character’s true intention and the shocking turns that come when audiences believed the village was once again peaceful also make The Wailing a film that rewards countless rewatches.
Why A Ridley Scott Remake Of The Wailing Could Work
There hasn’t been an update about a potential English-language remake of The Wailing since the initial conversation between Scott’s production company and Kim Ho-sung of Fox International Production Korea in 2017.
When speaking to the production company, Kim emphasized the importance of The Wailing‘s South Korean setting and the East Asian mythology woven into its story. Still, a remake produced by Scott could work, so long as Na was on board to direct and make his Hollywood feature film debut.
Kim believes Na would be the only director fit for the project, and it’s hard to argue with this sentiment. The specificity of East Asian religious beliefs and haunting legends tied to the film’s events is fundamental to the brilliance and success of The Wailing and can’t be fully stripped from any potential remakes.
