The recipe for folk horror is quite simple. You need a remote location, a horrible tradition that survived the Christianisation of Europe, and at least one unwitting visitor. (Many Lovecraft stories share these features, but folk horror is more likely to have a morris dance.)
Habit (2017)
After a childhood trauma, two siblings respond in two different ways. Michael (played by Elliot Langridge) grows up to be a dropout, sharing a Manchester flat with his obnoxious man-child of a best friend. Sister Mand (played by Sally Carman) ends up with a good job, which means she can look after Michael, but suffers from depression and bouts of anger...
The Torment (2010)
One of the great pleasures of this blog is finding an overlooked gem of a film. It doesn’t have to be Citizen Kane; it just has to be a nice tight package with good pacing, good acting, good story and good production. I’m ten years late in discovering The Torment, but it definitely fits the bill.
Wicked Witches (2019)
After the breakdown of his marriage, love-rat Mark (played by Duncan Casey) heads to Dumpling Farm, where he used to spend time as a carefree bachelor. Old friend Ian (Justin Marosa) is still there but much changed; “acting oddly” is an understatement, because he does little to hide the fact that he’s gone evil or been possessed...
An English Haunting (2020)
Blake Cunningham (David Lenik) moves to an old manor with his wine-swilling mum, Margot (Tessa Wood). The only other resident is Margot’s estranged father (Barrington de la Roche) who is virtually catatonic...
The Sonata (2018)
Rose (Freya Tingley) is a professional violinist. Unknown to the masses, she’s also the estranged daughter of British composer Richard Marlowe (Rutger Hauer), who withdrew from the limelight to dabble in the occult...
The Droving (2020)
Troubled soldier Martin (Daniel Oldroyd) wants to know what happened to his sister, who vanished during a strange rural festival...
Charismata (2017)
In Charismata, troubled Detective Faraway—a superb performance by Sarah Beck Mather—investigates some gruesome ritual murders, all the while rubbing up against her horrible male colleagues...
In the Dark Half (2012)
In this haunting tale, fifteen year old Marie (Jessica Barden) babysits for her neighbour: a poacher called Filthy (Tony Curran), who knows old stories about the spirits on the hill. The night ends in tragedy when his son is found dead...
A Dark Song (2016)
Grieving mother Sophia rents a cottage to perform an occult ritual. Her mentor—freelance occultist Joseph Solomon—warns her that the task is non-trivial. “Done this three times,” he says frankly. “Once it worked, twice it didn’t...”
21st Century British Horror 