Cursed Cinema: Woodlands Dark & Days Bewitched
A History of Folk Horror Documentary Review
October is here, and if you’re a nerd like me, you love to "theme" your spooky season viewing. Last year, with the release of Hocus Pocus 2 and my reimagining of Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages, it was all about #SeasonOfTheWitch. This year, I’m diving into the depths of #FolkHorror, starting with a brilliant primer on the genre, Woodlands Dark & Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror. Horror documentaries are my go-to in Halloweentown, and this one hit the spot. 🤓🍿🖤
If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, take a moment to check it out—this documentary is a must-watch for folk horror fans, whether you're already a seasoned cinephile of the genre or seeking to learn more and expand your repertoire.
🍂 Watch the Trailer 🍂
Folk Horror Roots & The British Trifecta
I’ve always loved The Wicker Man (1973)—it was my first folk horror film and an instant favorite. But the Director's Cut sealed this into my psyche as a profoundly moving work of art and social commentary, especially for an ex-evangelical-turned-witch like me. So imagine my delight when Woodlands Dark & Days Bewitched confirmed The Wicker Man as one of the founding films in British folk horror. The documentary also introduced me to the idea that folk horror's roots run deep into the British countryside, with a trifecta of films shaping the first three must-see movies in my marathon lineup: Witchfinder General (1968), Blood on Satan’s Claw (1971) and, of course, The Wicker Man.
Criticisms, Constructive & Controversial
Some might say the documentary is too extensive—I saw those Rotten Tomatoes reviews—but honestly, I found it relaxing to watch in chunks over a few days. It was the perfect way to map out my spooky season viewing, and I looked forward to it as a highlight of my September evenings.
It was also interesting to see some of the YouTube comments on the trailer complaining that this documentary was too "woke" or "liberal" at some points. In my view, horror has more often than not had some undercurrent of social commentary—for instance, Night of the Living Dead's Black protagonist and the real monsters of the film being ignorant, gun-toting human mobs more than zombies. Furthermore, with folk horror often drawing upon fear of witches (primarily women), Puritanical religions, fear of nature, and the bloodthirsty, sex-depraved cravings of repressed societies, these issues weren't "SJW talking points," they were the reality of a brutal life. Horror would lose its pulse without social, cultural, and sometimes political examination at its heart. So the sections in the documentary that covered these themes, as well as horror tropes like haunted Native American burial grounds, were both appropriate and worth exploring.
However, the film did leave me wanting more about folk horror’s influence on modern cinema. For example, where was The Blair Witch Project? In my book, it’s a brilliant example of meta-folk horror and still one of the scariest films I’ve ever seen in a theater. Maybe the documentary focused too much on the past and not enough on the present, which feels like a missed opportunity. I would love to extensively explore the more modern resurgence of folk horror in a follow-up documentary (hint hint!).
Like an Arthouse Doc
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the beautiful interstitial artwork and haunting music—both were absolute standouts that made the documentary even more atmospheric.
My witchy little heart beats a bit faster watching the resurgence of folk horror, especially after The Witch (2015) widely reawakened the genre. This documentary was a great way to celebrate that. I have plenty of films to share with you this fall and winter—I've made a cinematic bucket list, starting with the British Folk Horror Trifecta unveiled above! So, stay tuned for more reviews, recommendations, and witchy vibes as we wander further into the dark forests of folk horror together.
Stay magical!
~J. 🍂🖤🍂
Have you watched this documentary? What did you think? If not, are you planning on watching it now? What are some of your favorite folk horror movies? I would love to keep the conversation going here or in my chat!
This post first appeared at MagicVibesOnly.net.
I'd not heard of this, but enjoy a good bit of folk horror (and view inclusive critiques as hugely positive) so this is sounds good to me!