The Wicker Man (1973) remains the example par excellence of folk horror over half a century after its release, because it perfectly ticks every box that defines the genre, and yet transcends it too; it is just as much a musical as a horror film, and yet the atmosphere of eerie dread is not broken, but enhanced by its panoply of joyous, raunchy folk songs. And the magic persists after the horrors end; unlike other films where the danger of the landscape or community sours us on them by the end, Summerisle manages to make even the most horrified viewer think "you know, despite everything, I might like to live there."
The film is currently free on Amazon Prime, though of course I always advocate against using Bezos' company as much as possible. At least you won't be giving him any money for it if you do watch.
These pieces have sold.
