Over recent years, there has been a resurgence of horror films based around folklore; encompassing everything from cults, witchcraft, and disturbing folk tales.

I know many individuals, myself included, who find folk tale horrors particularly disturbing; whether it’s the play on certain themes such as isolation and archaism, or merely the fact a lot of them are based upon unsettling true stories – I think the following films are ones that can only be experienced in a dark room alone for optimum impact.

The VVitch (2015)

Starring a young Anya Taylor-Joy, this A24 horror uses its location and cinematography to disconcert the audience; a restricted colour pallet, gritty natural lighting, and sinister woodlands. The new England folk take dabbles in witchcraft (obviously) and orbits around an extremely oppressive representation of a patriarchal Puritan society.

The religious extremism casts a strong feeling on entrapment in the film making the dark liberation of witchery seem ominously enticing for some of the characters. I love the religious iconography and metaphors in this film; it’s a classic folklore story and I can’t recommend enough.

The Ritual (2017)

This British supernatural horror deserves far more recognition; the monster design itself gives the film its own identity. It follows four friends (all in there late thirties so no teen scream drama) as they hike through the Scandinavian wilderness to honour their late friend. The journey becomes increasingly dark as they veer off track; are plagued by intense nightmares, and stalked by what I can only describe as a Wendigo type creature, though its origins are never really confirmed. Themes of Paganism are wickedly prominent in this film. Imagery, character work, and mise en scene are all things worth raving about in this shadowy masterpiece.

mother! (2017)

Hear me out, this might not essentially be folklore, but it’s a disturbing masterpiece that depicts the torment faced by Mother Earth – it’s a biblical piece. The representation of the Garden of Eden is portrayed by a home owned by characters credited simply as Him and mother – notice the capitalisation on Him? This film shook me to my core; the giant metaphor, the sadistic nature of human beings, and the distortive cinematography is truly mesmerising yet horrifically unsettling. This is rated 18 so please only watch if you think you can stick it. Some of the scenes in this films will stick with you leaving you feeling repulsed and racked with guilt.

Midsommar (2019)

Love it or hate it, Midsommar is a fantastically written film – it really delves into the dark and disturbing depths of paganism and human nature. Another A24 movie, the story touches on several mental health issues that are metaphorically explored through the plot; grief, chronic depression, abuse, trauma, and emotional dependency. I think what threw me most was the bright, colourful Scandinavian setting; flowers, sunshine, and pure white attire is contradictory to the sinister intentions of the pagan cult who appear sickeningly welcoming at the first introduction. It’s a one-time-watch for some, and contains some graphic and unsettling scenes.

Not to mention Florence Pugh’s acting is bloody brilliant as usual.

Apostle (2018)

This film doesn’t shy away from brutality; the plot orbits around a British man in search of his missing sister but succumbs to a close-minded barbaric cult. If you’re looking for sadistic and callous acts of torture and punishments; Apostle is a superbly uncomfortable watch that blends paganism with the supernatural. The film is set in 1905 on a desolate island which really enhances the themes of isolation and imprisonment, but the films’ transition from mud and dirt to blood and guts is what truly won me over.