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Try These 10 Terrifying Irish Horror Films this St. Patrick’s Day

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Irish Horror

St. Patrick’s Day is quickly approaching, and it’s the perfect time of year to check out some fantastic Irish horror films instead of watching Leprechaun again for the 300th time.

Irish horror is at its best when it weaves together elements of its religious and political history with its rich folklore to create a creeping sense of dread, and you’ll see many of those elements in the films on this list.

Without further ado, let’s dig into my picks for the best in Irish horror. If you have suggestions or titles you prefer, don’t hesitate to let me know down in the comments!

The Devil’s Doorway (Available on Hulu with Subscription; For Rent on Vudu, Amazon, Google Play, and AppleTV)

Director Aislinn Clarke takes us back to the 1960s to a “Magdalene laundry,” an Irish home/asylum run by the Roman Catholic Church and overseen by nuns for so-called “fallen women.”

Fathers Thomas (Lalor Roddy) and John (Ciaran Flynn) are sent to the home to investigate a supposed miracle that has occurred on the property involving a statue of Mary who has cried tears of blood.

Of course, upon their arrival, they discover much more is going on behind the closed doors of the asylum and they soon find themselves in the midst of a battle between good and evil.

“Do you know how many of the church’s messes that I personally have had to clean up?” the reverend mother asks the priests. “Do you know how many of the babies born here had fathers who were Fathers, Father?”

The Devil’s Doorway is a terrifying film that will put you on the edge of your seat and hold you there until the credits roll.

The Cured (Available for rent on Vudu, Amazon, Google Play, and AppleTV)

David Freyne created one of the most thought-provoking and intense zombie film’s of the last 20 years with The Cured.

After a zombie plague ravaged Europe, scientists were able to find a cure for the disease, returning a large percentage of the infected population back to healthy citizens. There’s just one catch. The Cured remember everything that happened during their time as zombies.

Society mistrusted them to begin with, but when they find out that the formerly infected remember, the hatred grows. Many are forced to live segregated from the rest of society which leads to a powerful and dangerous movement to restore their rights as human beings.

Central to the story is Senan (Sam Keeley), one of the cured who has found a home with his sister-in-law.

Any good zombie movie leaves you with questions about society, and The Cured is no different. Be sure to give it a watch and let us know what you think!

The Hole in the Ground (Free on Amazon Prime; Available to rent on AppleTV, Redbox, Google Play, and Vudu)

Lee Cronin’s The Hole in the Ground centers on a single mother named Sarah (Seána Kerslake) who lives with her young son, Chris (James Quinn Markey), in the rural Irish countryside.

Chris disappears into the woods behind their home one night and upon his return, he is changed, different from the boy she knew. Sarah soon finds herself in a living nightmare as she tries to discover what is real and what is not and what, if anything, the mysterious sinkhole behind their property has to do with the change in her son.

This folk horror film, steeped in lore, is a must see for fans of Irish horror.

Citadel (Stream for free on Amazon Prime, Shudder, CONTV, The Roku Channel, and FawesomeTV [Thriller & Horror])

The 2012 psychological horror film Citadel marked the feature film directorial debut of Irish director Ciaran Foy (Sinister 2).

The tension-laden thriller stars Aneurin Barnard as Tommy Cowley, a young father with crippling agoraphobia which set in after his wife was brutally attacked by a gang of feral children. Now, living alone with only his young daughter for company, Tommy realizes that those same hooded children have come for the girl.

Barnard’s performance as Tommy is incredible. His fear radiates from the screen and his paranoia is infectious.

Without Name (Stream with Shudder, Amazon Prime ,and Tubi; Available for rent on Vudu)

Without Name from director Lorcan Finnegan (Foxes) may be one of the finest examples of folk horror from Ireland in years.

Set in an ancient forest called Gan Ainm (without a name), the film centers on a land surveyor named Eric (Alan McKenna) who is sent into the woods to map and assess it, but he soon finds that the land itself eludes him. The woods change; dark figures appear among the trees, and he’s soon completely confounded by the task at hand.

There’s a lot to see in Without Name. The cinematography alone is worth watching for, but there is also a very real and visceral terror evoked throughout the film. Watch it. You’ll thank me later.

Check out the rest of our list on the Next Page!

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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