Although folk horror was only recently acknowledged as a distinct subgenre, its roots stretch back to classics like ‘Witchfinder General’, ‘The Blood on Satan’s Claw’, and ‘The Wicker Man’, which emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This genre often explores isolated communities caught up in perilous superstitions or delves into the darker aspects of folk traditions, including music, stories, and rituals. What began as a primarily British phenomenon has evolved into a global fascination over the years.
The 2020s have particularly witnessed a surge in folk horror films. While it’s challenging to pinpoint a single cause for this trend, the success of Ari Aster’s ‘Midsommar’ (2019) and a growing interest in folklore seem to play significant roles. Recent folk horror films have demonstrated that the genre extends beyond traditional themes of paganism and ancient rites. Today, the settings range widely, from the icy landscapes of Iceland to the sacred burial grounds of South Korea, showcasing an unprecedented diversity in the genre.
‘The Feast’ (2021)
‘You Won’t Be Alone’ (2022)
‘Exhuma’ (2024)
‘Starve Acre’ (2023)
‘Enys Men’ (2022)
‘Lamb’ (2021)
‘Huesera: The Bone Woman’ (2022)
‘The Devil’s Bath’ (2024)
‘Hellbender’ (2021)
‘All You Need Is Death’ (2023)
–Farheen Ali