Folk horror is a subgenre of horror film and horror fiction that uses elements of folklore to invoke fear and foreboding. Typical elements include a rural setting, isolation, and themes of superstition, folk religion, paganism, sacrifice and the dark aspects of nature.[1][2][3] Although related to supernatural horror film, folk horror usually focuses on the beliefs and actions of people rather than the supernatural, and often deals with naïve outsiders coming up against these.[1] The British films Blood on Satan's Claw (1971), The Wicker Man (1973) and Witchfinder General (1968) are regarded as pioneers of the genre, while The Witch (2015) and Midsommar (2019) sparked renewed interest in folk horror.[1] Southeast Asian cinema also commonly features folk horror.[4]
- ^ a b c Murphy, Bernice M. (23 July 2019). "Beyond Midsommar: 'folk horror' in popular fiction". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
- ^ Hurley, Andrew Michael (2019-10-28). "Devils and debauchery: why we love to be scared by folk horror". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
- ^ McDonald, Keith; Johnson, Wayne (2021). Contemporary Gothic and Horror Film. Anthem Press. pp. 57–59.
- ^ White, Gemma (November 6, 2023). "What is folk horror? Cults, medieval witchcraft and Pagan symbols form plots behind genre". The National. Retrieved December 20, 2023.