Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror

[Sitges FF] A great documentary, which analyzes the history of folk horror through more than 200 films and 3 hours. But it's not an academic approach, it flows naturally through the representation of societies. More interesting when it's dedicated to British and North American horror than when it does with international one, it's a perfect compendium of how the horror genre reflects the concerns of the human being.

A truly fascinating documentary providing a comprehensive and insightful look at folk horror from around the globe. It is digestible and engaging the whole way through despite its length. What makes it great for me is it doesn't feel like an information dump, but it divides the discussion into six chapters, with beautiful animation, photo collages, and transitions that separates them, coupled with folky music and poetry. It covers everything from the history and its roots, showcasing hundreds of films, most which I haven't seen or never thought as folk horror. I’m glad Shudder picked this up. If you’re a fan of the sub-genre, then this incredibly deep dive into the genre is an absolute must.

I'm not a huge fan of folk horror, but this was a good documentary that I think gave me a greater appreciation for it. I was more than a bit annoyed at the overwhelming focus on Anglo-American films, by far my least favorite settings for the subgenre. Overall well done, after 3+ hours I was left wanting more.