[Editorial] Best 7 Modern Folk Horror Movies

1. Midsommar (2019)

The absolute May Queen of this list, Midsommar, the film solely responsible for cementing folk horror as my favourite sub-genre.  Midsommar manages to effortlessly weave folklore, Nordic tradition, grief and gas lighting to create a disturbing yet satisfying celebration of empowerment.  Having recently lost her immediate family, our protagonist Dani, or antagonist depending on your viewpoint, joins her emotionally distant partner and his friends on an educational trip to Sweden to study the teachings of Hargar.  In this idyllic setting she finds the belonging and peace she so desperately craves, after enduring some ritualistic sacrifice, cult-like behaviour and boyfriend burning along the way, but that's standard right?  Ari Aster's follow up to Hereditary manages to be both beautiful and horrifying in equal measure, which is his brand entirely.  Several watches are needed to truly appreciate the effort and layering included in this modern-day masterpiece, it's a stunning piece, taking influence from the classics that came before it.

2. Kill List (2011)

The film that catapulted Ben Wheatley into the horror limelight, Kill List is a twisted take on folk horror, presenting as a family gangster drama, and holding its cards close to its chest until the very end.  Living life beyond his means, PTSD riddled hitman for hire Jay (Neil Maskell) is forced into one last job with long-time pal Gal (Michael Smiley).  As the pressure of returning to the field mounts on Jay, we soon discover that the job is something far darker than expected.  Kill List boldly brings together two genres and makes them feel like something stand alone, even to this day.  Thanks to exceptional performances, a gripping story and disturbing imagery, Kill List sticks with you for an uncomfortable amount of time.

3. The Witch (2015)

Don't let the title fool you, this is a folk horror, a New England Folktale to be exact, and another belter from A24 (yes I'm one of those women). Set against the bleak backdrop of seventeenth century New England, a family already at breaking point after being banished from their village, turn on one another after the disappearance of their youngest Son.  Emotions are fired when the eldest Daughter of the family, Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), is accused of witchcraft and offering the missing Son as a sacrifice.  As expected from any Robert Eggers film, The Witch is moody and dread-filled, and takes its time to delve deep into the mythology of folk horror, from failing crops to talking familiars.  The cast is perfection, with Kate Dickie and Ralph Ineson as the heads of the family, but the real star is Anya Taylor-Joy in what I believe to be her breakout role.  She manages to balance her character so well between the want to serve her family and truly living deliciously.

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4. In The Earth (2021)

The second Ben Wheatley film in this list (because of course), but worlds apart from Kill List. In The Earth focuses heavily on the nature aspect of folk horror, and how it can open up new, terrifying worlds for us.  What starts as a work field trip for Martin (Joel Fry) ends in terror, as he is thrust into a psychedelic other worldly nightmare.  As he searches for a cure to an unknown virus, he soon begins to fight against the environment as the forest comes to life.  In The Earth is modern-day experimental cinema, but with all the gruesome Wheatley trademarks.  There are some graphic, wince-inducing moments throughout, and it features a stellar cast (Reece Shearsmith, Olivia Wendle and Ellora Torchia) who all deliver perfect performances, particularly Shearsmith's muted but nonetheless menacing Zach.  Run, Forest, run to see this one.

5. The Ritual (2017) 

A year after the death of their friend in a random off-license robbery, a group of college friends honor his memory by organising a hiking trip in Sweden.  During stormy weather, the men decide to hole up in an abandoned cabin, complete with its very own wicker man, and Luke (Rafe spall) soon begins experiencing horrifying visions that magnify his guilt over the death of his friend. The Ritual is the only film in this piece that I find genuinely terrifying, in particular the breath-taking tense ending which showcases a nightmarish creature set against the beautiful backdrop of the forest.  A film that has all the elements of classic folk horror, but with a bit more sheen, this will be a firm favourite for years to come.

6. Matriarch (2022)

Matriarch joins a long line of folk horror that also delves into family trauma, but with added body horror spice.  Wild girl boss Laura (Jemima Rooper) returns to her childhood village after surviving an overdose, only to realise that there was a valid reason she left in the first place.  As she reacquaints herself with her mother, played by Kate Dickie in a role that was made for her, she also discovers the village holds a sinister secret.  With striking effects and a story not so distant from Roald Dahl’s The Witches, Matriarch is a spooky little affair that captures just how odd close-knit communities can be.

7. Inside No.9 – Mr King (series 7, ep 2) (2022) 

Yes, I know it isn't a film, but I had to include this brilliant Inside No.9 episode.  Arriving in rural Wales from the Big Smoke, teacher Alan (Reece Shearsmith) takes on class 9, only to be constantly reminded that he will never live up to the memory of their previous teacher, Mr King.  As the children demonstrate concerning behaviour, and a career-ending accusation is made, Alan begins to believe that Mr King was not as perfect as he was portrayed.  This however is Inside No.9, and nothing is ever as it seems.  After 6 series, I was practically giddy that we were finally gifted a folk horror episode (don't come for me, I'm classing The Trial Of Elizabeth Gadge as a Witch offering).  Aside from being its own brilliant story, the episode also includes folk horror nods and references that are just perfection, in the interest of not giving the ending away I won't elaborate further on these.  I don't need to tell you how talented Reece and Steve are, but I do need to tell you that Mr King is up there with some of their best work and should absolutely be recognised as a modern-day folk horror.

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