The Wicker Man
Police sergeant Neil Howie is called to an island village in search of a missing girl whom the locals claim never existed. The investigation is further complicated as Howie’s religious views clash with those of the island’s residents.
Why it matters
A slow-burning folk horror masterpiece where clashing belief systems unravel into something deeply unsettling.
- Christopher Lee’s charismatic, chilling turn as Lord Summerisle anchors a village that feels both idyllic and menacing.
- Edward Woodward’s devoutly rigid Sergeant Howie embodies the cultural collision at the film’s core—faith versus folklore.
- The 1970s Scottish island setting is soaked in atmosphere, with practical effects and haunting ritual scenes that linger long after the credits roll.
- A foundational text for folk horror, influencing everything from modern pagan narratives to psychological dread rooted in community secrets.
Director
2 horror films in catalog
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
14
Slow Burn
66
Psychological
57
Supernatural
60
Creature
18
Disturbing
83
Fun Factor
33
Cerebral
85
Survival
17
CultRitualSacrifice
