If you're in the mood for a horror marathon that will leave you shaken to your core, look no further than Peacock. This streaming service is home to two of the most disturbing Korean horror films ever made, each filled with unsettling tension, horrifying visuals, and shocking moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat and glued to your screen.
And you know what the best part is? You can currently stream these two must-see horror flicks for free on Peacock! However, you might want to get to watching them soon, as Peacock has only acquired the streaming rights for a limited time. This means the movies will eventually be removed from the streaming platform. A departure date has not yet been set for either film, but we'll make sure to share the dates when they are announced.
Now, you’re probably wondering which two Korean horror films we’re talking about. The first one we'll be discussing in this article is the 2010 action horror I Saw the Devil. The second movie is the 2016 supernatural horror The Wailing. These two horror films are often forgotten about when it comes to discussions of the genre, but they are absolute masterpieces that stand out for their disturbing narratives and intense emotional impact.
Directed by Kim Jee-woon and written by Park Hoon-jung, I Saw the Devil tells the story of a man named Kim Soo-hyeon who, after losing his fiancée in a brutal and senseless murder, embarks on a relentless pursuit of vengeance against the sadistic killer responsible.
What makes this film different from your typical revenge story is that the protagonist doesn't just capture his fiancée's killer and exact his revenge right away. Instead, he plays a twisted game with the killer, relentlessly hunting him down and putting him through a series of agonizing and calculated torment. He wants the killer to suffer in the worst way possible, and by constantly torturing him both physically and emotionally, he takes his revenge to an entirely new level. It was initially supposed to be about justice, but as the protagonist continues his pursuit, it becomes clear that his obsession with vengeance is consuming him.
Squid Game star Lee Byung-hun plays the lead role of Kim Soo-hyeon, while Exhuma's Choi Min-sik portrays the role of the serial killer, Jang Kyung-chul. Jeon Gook-hwan, Chun Ho-jin, Oh San-ha, Kim Yoon-seo, Choi Moo-sung, Kim In-seo, Nam Bo-ra, and many other talented Korean actors are in the cast as well.
I Saw the Devil does not shy away from the graphic violence, which shouldn't really be a surprise given what the movie is about. Throughout the movie, there are numerous brutal and explicit scenes, including physical torture, dismemberment, and severe injuries. It's also known for its intense and graphic gore. If you're squeamish and can't handle extreme levels of violence and graphic content, you're going to have a hard time getting through this film. The violence is not only explicit but also unrelenting, making it a challenging watch for those sensitive to graphic scenes.
Like I Saw the Devil, The Wailing is another critically acclaimed horror movie. It comes from Na Hong-jin, who wrote and directed the supernatural horror. The story takes place in a small rural village in South Korea, where a series of bizarre and violent deaths occur. These deaths happen to occur after a mysterious Japanese man arrives in the village, leading the villagers to believe that he may be the cause of the violence.
As the death toll rises, a local police officer, Jong-goo, is called to investigate. He has a personal reason for solving the case. His young daughter begins to show signs of strange behavior, becoming ill and violent, which adds a personal urgency to his investigation. Will Jong-goo be able to uncover the truth behind the mysterious deaths, or will he fall victim to the same dark forces that seem to be consuming the village?
Kwak Do-won stars in the leading role as Jong-goo. Also joining him in the cast are Hwang Jung-min, Chun Woo-hee, Jun Kunimura, Kim Hwan-hee, Jang So-yeon, Park Sung-yeon, Jeon Bae-soo, and others.
Be prepared for intense and disturbing content in The Wailing. It's the type of movie that will get under your skin because of its unsettling imagery and graphic moments. Although it's not extremely gory, the film still has its fair share of shocking and violent scenes that will leave you uneasy. If you're looking for a movie that combines supernatural horror with psychological terror, The Wailing delivers just that.
Don't forget. You can stream I Saw the Devil and The Wailing right now on Peacock for free!