Folk Horror

Amulet: The eponymous amulet/figurine is found by Tomaz (Alec Secareanu) in a forest in the Balkans during a war. Tomaz has frequent nightmares regarding those times, he was a soldier and while he avoided most of the ethnic cleansing he carries guilt for some acts he committed. Now in London his work as a day labour only allows him to live in a squat. Losing even these digs he encounters an enigmatic nun (Imelda Staunton) who asks him to stay with a young woman, Magda (Carla Juri) who is looking after her mother in a decrepit house. He reluctantly agrees but starts to develop a relationship with Magda. The "Mother" in the attic is strange, wails, bites Magda.

This is a dark tale of demons, possession, ancient guardians, revenge, with frightening even nauseating scenes of horror. Some of the worst horror though is in the flashbacks to the Balkans war, much of it is between the lines, as the ethnic cleansing is suggested rather than shown. The mundane is sometimes more disturbing than the mondo. The amulet plays a part in this but you'll have to watch the full film to understand it as the narrative unfolds. There are a few plot twists which cannot be revealed but they do allow you to view events in a new light. This film is both perplexing and unsettling, very much for adults who are not faint of heart or squeamish. Written and Directed by Romola Garai 8/10.

In cinemas.
 
Just watched 2021 Spanish movie El Páramo (The Wasteland) on Netflix.
In a desolate part of the Spanish countryside, some time in the 19th century, a peasant family ekes out a wretched existence, set against a background where legends of la bestia maligna (the evil beast) are used to frighten children - or could they have some basis in fact?
The movie is slow on action but big on atmosphere and keeps you guessing throughout as to whether something supernatural is on the prowl or could it just be a manifestation of stress, mental illness, superstition and privation.
The slow pace may try your patience, but I found it ultimately rewarding and quite memorable.
A 7/10 from me.
 
blessmycottonsocks said:
Just watched 2021 Spanish movie El Páramo (The Wasteland) on Netflix.
In a desolate part of the Spanish countryside, some time in the 19th century, a peasant family ekes out a wretched existence, set against a background where legends of la bestia maligna (the evil beast) are used to frighten children - or could they have some basis in fact?
The movie is slow on action but big on atmosphere and keeps you guessing throughout as to whether something supernatural is on the prowl or could it just be a manifestation of stress, mental illness, superstition and privation.
The slow pace may try your patience, but I found it ultimately rewarding and quite memorable.
A 7/10 from me.
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Agree with your analysis, I gave it 6/10.
 
ramonmercado said:
Amulet: The eponymous amulet/figurine is found by Tomaz (Alec Secareanu) in a forest in the Balkans during a war. Tomaz has frequent nightmares regarding those times, he was a soldier and while he avoided most of the ethnic cleansing he carries guilt for some acts he committed. Now in London his work as a day labour only allows him to live in a squat. Losing even these digs he encounters an enigmatic nun (Imelda Staunton) who asks him to stay with a young woman, Magda (Carla Juri) who is looking after her mother in a decrepit house. He reluctantly agrees but starts to develop a relationship with Magda. The "Mother" in the attic is strange, wails, bites Magda.

This is a dark tale of demons, possession, ancient guardians, revenge, with frightening even nauseating scenes of horror. Some of the worst horror though is in the flashbacks to the Balkans war, much of it is between the lines, as the ethnic cleansing is suggested rather than shown. The mundane is sometimes more disturbing than the mondo. The amulet plays a part in this but you'll have to watch the full film to understand it as the narrative unfolds. There are a few plot twists which cannot be revealed but they do allow you to view events in a new light. This film is both perplexing and unsettling, very much for adults who are not faint of heart or squeamish. Written and Directed by Romola Garai 8/10.

In cinemas.
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I watched this for over an hour and was thinking, yeah, yeah, Romola, you've got the atmosphere down pat, but when is anything going to happen? I needn't have worried, the last 20 minutes are absolutely insane! Stick with this one, it's crazy (in a good way)!
 
An interesting choice of title from the established director Alex Garland, MEN is being touted as a folk horror (because of the green man pictured in the church?). I'll wait until I watch it before jumping to the conclusion that's it's just some sort of anti men film because Alex Garland's more intelligent than that .. but here's the details and teaser trailer for it anyway ..

https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/4...VZLQ564S07FnxxHRF0Kj9ipP-8wej0EM1JXw--6PSMZpI
 
Swifty said:
An interesting choice of title from the established director Alex Garland, MEN is being touted as a folk horror (because of the green man pictured in the church?). I'll wait until I watch it before jumping to the conclusion that's it's just some sort of anti men film because Alex Garland's more intelligent than that .. but here's the details and teaser trailer for it anyway ..

https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/4...VZLQ564S07FnxxHRF0Kj9ipP-8wej0EM1JXw--6PSMZpI
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Looks promising, starring Jessie Buckley.
 
You Are Not My Mother: An Irish film steeped in Folklore which also explores the issues of mental illness and bullying. Char (Hazel Doupe) is academically bright but bullied at school, her mother, Angela (Bracken), who is bipolar disappears. She returns after a few days but will not say where she was, Her behaviour changes, she becomes elated, threatening, violent, even homicidal. Char's grandmother, Rita (Ingrid Craigie) sees this as being due to something other than a manic phase. Throughout the film Rita is seen making amulets constructed of twigs and herbs to ward off evil. In the opening scene she performs a ritual involving Char as a baby. The narrative is unsettling from beginning to end as the sense of dread builds. While most of the horror is psychological there are some unsettling scenes involving creatures from the other realm but unsurprisingly the mundane bullying of char by other teens are perhaps the most disturbing. Great performances by Diupe, Craigie, Bracken and Jordanne Jones as Suzanne, a bully turned friend. Reminiscent (in different ways) of Outcast, The Hole In The Ground and The Wicker Man; even the song Elf Call by Steeleye Span but it's very much it's own film. Written and Directed by Kate Dolan in her triumphant debut as a feature Director. 8/10.

In cinemas.
 
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ramonmercado said:
You Are Not My Mother: An Irish film steeped in Folklore which also explores the issues of mental illness and bullying. Char (Hazel Doupe) is academically bright but bullied at school, her mother, Angela Carolyn Bracken), who is bipolar disappears. She returns after a few days but will not say where she was, Her behaviour changes, she becomes elated, threatening, violent, even homicidal. Char's grandmother, Rita (Ingrid Craigie) sees this as being due to something other than a manic phase. Throughout the film Rita is seen making amulets constructed of twigs and herbs to ward off evil. In the opening scene she performs a ritual involving Char as a baby. The narrative is unsettling from beginning to end as the sense of dread builds. While most of the horror is psychological there are some unsettling scenes involving creatures from the other realm but unsurprisingly the mundane bullying of char by other teens are perhaps the most disturbing. Great performances by Diupe, Craigie, Bracken and Jordanne Jones as Suzanne, a bully turned friend. Reminiscent (in different ways) of Outcast, The Hole In The Ground and The Wicker Man; even the song Elf Call by Steeleye Span but it's very much it's own film. Written and Directed by Kate Dolan in her triumphant debut as a feature Director. 8/10.

In cinemas.
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I love this song.


 
ramonmercado said:
You Are Not My Mother: An Irish film steeped in Folklore which also explores the issues of mental illness and bullying. Char (Hazel Doupe) is academically bright but bullied at school, her mother, Angela (Bracken), who is bipolar disappears. She returns after a few days but will not say where she was, Her behaviour changes, she becomes elated, threatening, violent, even homicidal. Char's grandmother, Rita (Ingrid Craigie) sees this as being due to something other than a manic phase. Throughout the film Rita is seen making amulets constructed of twigs and herbs to ward off evil. In the opening scene she performs a ritual involving Char as a baby. The narrative is unsettling from beginning to end as the sense of dread builds. While most of the horror is psychological there are some unsettling scenes involving creatures from the other realm but unsurprisingly the mundane bullying of char by other teens are perhaps the most disturbing. Great performances by Diupe, Craigie, Bracken and Jordanne Jones as Suzanne, a bully turned friend. Reminiscent (in different ways) of Outcast, The Hole In The Ground and The Wicker Man; even the song Elf Call by Steeleye Span but it's very much it's own film. Written and Directed by Kate Dolan in her triumphant debut as a feature Director. 8/10.

In cinemas.
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Glad you finally saw it, and enjoyed it! It's out in the UK in April, I think.
 
Cracow Monsters: Alex/Aitwar drinks to deal with past traumas. She is accepted as a student by the pathology department of a medical school. But her professor and some of his students fight demons and monsters. A demon comes from the other side and possesses a dead boy, he controls people to attack Alex but she also has powers from her contact with Aitvaras, the nature spirit.. The boy turns Cracow city morgue into Zombie Central as he raises the dead to fight the professor and his team. A dark series involving rituals to ward off demons and to cleanse adepts after contact with them. A clash of the good and bad entities from a Pagan Canon with the professor and his acolytes following spirits of light. But it's a bit more complicated than that that with many monsters (including water demons) being summoned up. Another mystery to be explored is Ales's past, how her mother died and through what agency did she achieve her special powers. Directed by Kasia Adamik and Olga Chajdas, Written by Gaja Grzegorzewska, Magdalena Lankosz and Anna Sienska. Eight episodes on Netflix. Two episodes in I'm giving it 8/10.
 
Umma: Korean Folk Horror this time. Sandra Oh plays Amanda, a Korean-American who lives on an isolated ranch with her home schooled daughter Chrissy (Fivel Stewart), producing organic honey, Amanda is somehow allergic to electricity. Their tranquility is disturbed when Amanda's uncle delivers her mother's ashes. But not just the ashes, her mother's vengeful ghost also arrives. Why Amanda fled from her mother us crucial to the development of the narrative, we are given clues, though the eventual revelations are shocking. Possession and deception are used by the spirit to overcome Amanda. Some interesting Korean Folk Lore on how these vengeful entities operate and the rituals necessary to propitiate or/and defeat them. The story doesn't totally live up to it's original promise even with it's moments of shock and horror but it;s certainly worth watching. Written & Directed by Iris K. Shim. 7/10.

In cinemas.
 
ramonmercado said:
Umma: Korean Folk Horror this time. Sandra Oh plays Amanda, a Korean-American who lives on an isolated ranch with her home schooled daughter Chrissy (Fivel Stewart), producing organic honey, Amanda is somehow allergic to electricity. Their tranquility is disturbed when Amanda's uncle delivers her mother's ashes. But not just the ashes, her mother's vengeful ghost also arrives. Why Amanda fled from her mother us crucial to the development of the narrative, we are given clues, though the eventual revelations are shocking. Possession and deception are used by the spirit to overcome Amanda. Some interesting Korean Folk Lore on how these vengeful entities operate and the rituals necessary to propitiate or/and defeat them. The story doesn't totally live up to it's original promise even with it's moments of shock and horror but it;s certainly worth watching. Written & Directed by Iris K. Shim. 7/10.

In cinemas.
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I'm glad to see Sandra Oh getting so much work. She's a great actor.
 
ramonmercado said:
Cracow Monsters: Alex/Aitwar drinks to deal with past traumas. She is accepted as a student by the pathology department of a medical school. But her professor and some of his students fight demons and monsters. A demon comes from the other side and possesses a dead boy, he controls people to attack Alex but she also has powers from her contact with Aitvaras, the nature spirit.. The boy turns Cracow city morgue into Zombie Central as he raises the dead to fight the professor and his team. A dark series involving rituals to ward off demons and to cleanse adepts after contact with them. A clash of the good and bad entities from a Pagan Canon with the professor and his acolytes following spirits of light. But it's a bit more complicated than that that with many monsters (including water demons) being summoned up. Another mystery to be explored is Ales's past, how her mother died and through what agency did she achieve her special powers. Directed by Kasia Adamik and Olga Chajdas, Written by Gaja Grzegorzewska, Magdalena Lankosz and Anna Sienska. Eight episodes on Netflix. Two episodes in I'm giving it 8/10.
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Updated review.

Cracow Monsters: Alex/Aitwar drinks to deal with past traumas. She is accepted as a student by the pathology department of a medical school. But her professor and some of his students fight demons and monsters. A demon comes from the other side and possesses a dead boy, he controls people to attack Alex but she also has powers from her contact with Aitvaras, the nature spirit.. The boy turns Cracow city morgue into Zombie Central as he raises the dead to fight the professor and his team. A dark series involving rituals to ward off demons and to cleanse adepts after contact with them. A clash of the righteous and malevolent entities results in a proxy war with the professor and his acolytes following spirits of light. But it's a bit more complicated than that that with many monsters (including water demons) being summoned up. Best perhaps is Winter Spas, a bit like Krampus on speed. In some ways the series is similar to Feria with Pantheons of Good and Evil deities, underground temples and gateways.. Cracow Monsters though is based on Slavic mythology rather than Gnosticism. Another mystery to be explored is Ales's past, from literally the opening moments of episode 1 Alex has nightmares about her mother's death. It doesn't quite live up to the promise of it's opening episodes but is a worthy addition to the TV Folk Horror Canon. Directed by Kasia Adamik and Olga Chajdas, Written by Gaja Grzegorzewska, Magdalena Lankosz and Anna Sienska. Eight episodes on Netflix. 7/10.
 
Frideswide said:
We have an arrangement where we watch films etc together :loveu:

But one of us will be doing something else - in my case it's audiobook-through-headphones and embroidery. Mr Frideswide has noise cancelling headphones and a book. Both of us enjoy taking a bijou napette...
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Try these headphones, they'll also protect you from pollution & sneak gas attacks!

NO, THIS IS not an elaborate April fool. This is the Dyson Zone, a personal air-purifying mask and noise-canceling headphone doohickey that started life well before the Covid-19 pandemic made masks mainstream.

Available globally sometime next autumn, the Zone has taken six years to develop and represents either a bold new world of personal pollution protection or an economic and PR disaster for Dyson. Frankly, we're not sure which it will be.

What Is the Dyson Zone?
It’s a head-mounted, fan-powered, personal air purifier with over-ear headphones, obviously. On each ear a brilliantly engineered miniature fan—essentially a shrunken version of the type found on the brand's Cool and Hot range of home air purifiers—sucks in dirty air, trapping the nasty stuff in an elaborate series of filters, before squirting a smooth stream of clean air across the wearer’s mouth and nose.


The reasoning behind the Dyson Zone is a somber one. Globally, air pollution kills an estimated 7 million people every year. Data from the World Health Organization shows that 99 percent of the global population breathes air that exceeds guideline limits on pollution, with, unsurprisingly, low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures.

According to the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution, both China and India suffer from over 1.2 million air-pollution-related deaths each year, while Public Health England states that air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to health in the UK, with 28,000 to 36,000 deaths a year attributed to long-term exposure. ...

https://www.wired.com/story/the-bizarre-dyson-zone-pollution-mask-doubles-as-headphones
 
Robert Eggers' new film The Northman looks as if it may have strong Folk Horror elements. It's certainly been a lucrative catch for the NI film industry.

It's billed as a brutal tale of betrayal and revenge - and while The Northman may mostly be set in Iceland, the Viking saga is another feather in Northern Ireland's filming cap.

Directed by Robert Eggers, and featuring an all-star cast including Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke and Alexander Skarsgård, the project was filmed in Northern Ireland in 2020, employing nearly 450 locally-resident crew.

It was produced by Mark Huffam, the Ballyclare-born producer who helped to bring Game of Thrones to Northern Ireland. He was instrumental in convincing Eggers, whose previous directorial efforts The Witch and The Lighthouse were critically acclaimed, to make the film in Belfast and beyond.

"The film takes place in northern Scotland, Ukraine, and Iceland," Eggers told BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster programme. "And Mark Huffam said: 'I can find all that for you in Northern Ireland.' I mean, there were certain things we had to shoot in Iceland that can only be Iceland, but there's a lot of Northern Ireland for Iceland. A lot more, in fact, than I originally wanted, but because of Covid the main unit couldn't shoot there. You know, me and Alex (Skarsgård) and Anya (Taylor-Joy) didn't get to Iceland until after we'd wrapped principal photography. But the landscapes in Northern Ireland were completely incredible. To be able to build these massive sets, like on Torr Head - it's kind of a dream come true." ...

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-61100466

 
The Northman: Not just another Viking tale, based on the Hamlet source material this is an epic. Viking Magic and the Norse Gods are an important part of everyday life in the unfolding of this narrative, In 895 AD the young Amleth goes through a rite of passage ceremony accompanied by his father King Aurvandill (Ethan Hawke), they both act and howl like wolves, the King's Jester Heimir (Willem Dafoe) presides over the ritual. A Seeress appears to the adult Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) and foretells his destiny, something he is as bound by as any Predestination believing Calvinist. Throughout the film this outcast prince comes into contact with mediums who guide him on his way and put him in contact with the dead. Physical objects are brought back from these supernatural encounters.

After Amleth's father is slain by his uncle Fjölnir (Claes Bang) he flees promising to avenge his father and to free his mother, Gudrún (Nicole Kidman), who Fjölnir has taken as his wife. He is raised by a band of Berserkers, we see the Berserker Priest (Magne Osnes) lead the ritual in which his clan put themselves into a trance whereby they see themselves as bear-wolves. After a battle in Russia Amleth discovers that Fjölnir is now in iceland with Gudrún, disguising himself as a slave he sets off to fulfil his destiny. He meets and falls in love with Olga (Anna Taylor-Joy) a Rus Sorceress who is also a slave.

The violence in this film is shocking at times but it reflects the age in which it was set, life was cheap. Even during Fjölnir's coup ordinary people are killed because they literally were in the way. During a Berserker rage Amleth bites the throat out of a Rus warrior but after the battle other Vikings in cold blood slay women and children who aren't useful as slaves. Slaves who mightn't last the winter are slain by Viking farmers. Gore flows through this saga and if you are squeamish or faint of heart then it is best to avoid The Northman. A thrilling story of adventure, betrayal, a thirst for revenge and the acceptance of a fate which is inevitable because it is foretold by the Norns. A few twists add to the tension which permeates the film. Great performances by Skarsgård, Taylor-Joy, Dafoe, Bangs and Kidman. Directed by Robert Eggers, co-Written by Eggers and Sjón. 9/10.
 
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I think this is the right thread for this... it's apparently not a real creature in the film if what I've heard about the book is any indication, but it's definitely dealing with elements of the mythology of it as a backdrop for drama:
A widow, a village vicar, and a mythical beast...are the rumors true? The Essex Serpent premieres May 13 on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/_TheEssexSerpent Set in Victorian England featuring a star studded cast led by Claire Danes, Tom Hiddleston, Frank Dillane, Clémence Poésy and Hayley Squires, The Essex Serpent follows London widow Cora Seaborne (Danes) who moves to Essex to investigate reports of a mythical serpent. She forms an unlikely bond with the village vicar (Hiddleston), but when tragedy strikes, locals accuse her of attracting the creature.
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skinny said:
Trying not to read or view anything about it. I see your 9/10 and am jeed up even more. Eggers and Aster are the vanguard of a fantastic new wave in this genre. Love everything they’ve done so far.
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I've seen it twice and will likely watch it again.
 
Lore.

An anthology series on Prime Video, spanning several centuries and locations and exploring how archetypal horror memes - vampires, werewolves etc. may have a basis in fact.
Just watching the first episode now. It has a curious, semi-documentary style and features fear of premature burial and demonic possession.

lore.png
 
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Don't know if this has been posted yet:
I haven't seen this film (in the review), but it gets a very good review that has 'Folk Horror' in the title:
"You Won’t Be Alone Is Inspired and Mesmerizing Folk Horror"
By Eileen Jones (published independent film reveiwer):
https://www.jacobinmag.com/2022/04/you-wont-be-alone-folk-horror-film-review

Edited For: Update: Possible Tech Issues(?): I don't know why, but for me, the web link takes me to the main page for Eileen Jones, the film reviewer. If you click on the link for this review that is listed at her web page where you are taken, you should be able to read the review (I hope!).
 
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blessmycottonsocks said:
Lore.

An anthology series on Prime Video, spanning several centuries and locations and exploring how archetypal horror memes - vampires, werewolves etc. may have a basis in fact.
Just watching the first episode now. It has a curious, semi-documentary style and features fear of premature burial and demonic possession.

View attachment 54796
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It's based on a podcast of the same name:
https://www.lorepodcast.com/
 
ramonmercado said:
You Are Not My Mother: An Irish film steeped in Folklore which also explores the issues of mental illness and bullying. Char (Hazel Doupe) is academically bright but bullied at school, her mother, Angela (Bracken), who is bipolar disappears. She returns after a few days but will not say where she was, Her behaviour changes, she becomes elated, threatening, violent, even homicidal. Char's grandmother, Rita (Ingrid Craigie) sees this as being due to something other than a manic phase. Throughout the film Rita is seen making amulets constructed of twigs and herbs to ward off evil. In the opening scene she performs a ritual involving Char as a baby. The narrative is unsettling from beginning to end as the sense of dread builds. While most of the horror is psychological there are some unsettling scenes involving creatures from the other realm but unsurprisingly the mundane bullying of char by other teens are perhaps the most disturbing. Great performances by Diupe, Craigie, Bracken and Jordanne Jones as Suzanne, a bully turned friend. Reminiscent (in different ways) of Outcast, The Hole In The Ground and The Wicker Man; even the song Elf Call by Steeleye Span but it's very much it's own film. Written and Directed by Kate Dolan in her triumphant debut as a feature Director. 8/10.

In cinemas.
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It's on Netflix now.
 
Men: Disturbing is putting it mildly, The Green Man, Sheela na Gig, birth and rebirth, a pub with stranger patrons than those in The Wicker Man. Pretty good but even after two viewings I'm still not sure if I understand it fully. Harper (Jessie Buckley) has recently witnessed the death of her husband, how it happened and the events leading up to it are gradually revealed as the narrative unfolds. she takes a break, renting a Manor House from Geoffrey (Rory Kinnear) who is every inch a the country squire. He is odd, a touch creepy even but in comparison with the other men from the village who Harper meets over the next couple of days. A judgmental gas-lighting vicar; a strange, verbally abusive boy; an inept, uncaring policeman; odd yokel locals in the pub and a naked man who seems to be stalking her. This last character is the most important as he displays aspects of The Green Man.

An atmosphere of threat runs through the film rising to crescendos of existential terror at various stages but the finale blends terror with scenes that some will find disturbing as it explores themes of birth, death and rebirth, a cycle which may end with redemption and forgiveness or a burying of the hatchet. Building towards that denouement we encounter a baptismal font in the local church with a Green Man on one side and a Sheela na Gig on the other and a scene in which a tunnel on an abandoned railway line which provides some remarkable cinematography and sound effects. Rory Kinnear plays all of the male roles (apart from Harper's husband, Paapa Essiedu), using a variety of minimal disguises, exuding toxicities of slightly differing types. An enigmatic but important addition to the English Folk Horror Film Canon., written and Directed by Alex Garland. 8/10.

In cinemas.
 
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