Folk horror films have surged in popularity in recent years it seems, with their themes of folklore, witches, cults, dark magic, rural life, and clashes between insiders and outsiders, and is a genre that focuses more on mood, atmosphere and the dark side of human behavior with a slow burn build up.
With the appeal of folk horror going strong, here are eight of the best folk horror movies I think you should watch.
Impetigore
In rural Indonesia, a woman returns to her ancestral village, only to uncover a cursed community where every newborn is born skinless, and as she unravels her past, she confronts terrifying rituals and vengeful spirits in a quest for survival.
Impetigore has an unsettling atmosphere that draws you into a village filled with dark secrets, and with some decent performances, especially from Tara Basro, it’s a folk horror film that lingers with you even after you have finished watching it.
La Llorona
Based on Latin American folklore, this Guatemalan film explores themes of genocide and retribution, as an indigenous spirit seeks justice against a former dictator and his family amid political turmoil.
It blends real life tragedy with supernatural horror, and delivers with its slow-burning dread and thought provoking themes with its powerful messages of justice, guilt, and the past refusing to stay buried.
Midsommar
Hereditary was a big success for Ari Aster, and he followed that up with Midsommar.
After a personal tragedy, a young woman joins her boyfriend and friends at a remote Swedish festival, only to discover it is orchestrated by a cult practicing disturbing rituals, and as tensions escalate, the festival's idyllic façade gives way to horrors beyond imagination.
This film is all about the stunning daylight visuals and deep psychological and emotional tension, as it attempts to make you feel very uncomfortable.
The Wicker Man
A devout policeman investigates a missing girl on a Scottish island inhabited by a pagan cult, led by the charismatic Lord Summerisle.
As he clashes with the islanders' beliefs and practices, the investigation takes a turn towards a shocking and nihilistic conclusion, and is one of the most haunting film endings ever, and one of the best British horror movies ever, too.
It mixes the folk horror pagan rituals while also mixing in other genres too, and makes you question what’s real and what’s not, but just make sure you watch the original, and not the god awful remake.
Although I am not too sure whether modern horror audiences will like it.
The Witch
Set in 17th century New England, this film follows a Puritan family tormented by supernatural forces lurking in the nearby woods, and as paranoia and mistrust consume the family, their isolation drives them towards dark and tragic ends.
I adore this film, and the unsettling atmosphere, slow pacing, and strong performances make it a gripping experience as it builds the dread very slowly as it draws you into a world where fear of the unknown grows with every passing moment.
Witchfinder General
During England’s civil war era, a corrupt witch hunter terrorizes villages by exploiting fears of witchcraft., and when he targets the niece of a soldier seeking revenge, their confrontation exposes the destructive power of superstition and cruelty.
This film is a pretty gritty and disturbing portrayal of witch hunts in 17th-century England, and the film combines historical horror with a brutal, no holds barred look at the cruelty of the era, and delivers an intense and atmospheric horror film.
The Medium
The Medium unfolds in a documentary style that immerses you into the life of Nim, a shaman devoted to the goddess Ba Yan in a village nestled in Northern Thailand, and Nim's journey is one of devotion and duty, as she undertakes pilgrimages to the sacred mountains, seeking guidance to heal her community.
This one plunges you into a nightmarish landscape, where rituals and possession intertwine, from handheld shots to CCTV footage, every frame is crafted to evoke a sense of fear into you, with an excellent climax.
The Blair Witch Project
Yeah, I know many people hate this movie, but I like it.
I am sure you have all seen this one, so no need to say too much about what it is about.
You either really like it, or really dislike it, but I still think think it holds up, and I enjoy its raw style and minimalist horror that plays on your imagination, and I remember watching it at the time of release with all the brilliant marketing around the film.
And if you did not know, a remake of the original is being released in 2025, though I am not sure why.
[The Blair Witch Project on IMDB]
What's your favorite folk horror movie?
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