Feature: Non-Christian Religious and Folk Horror
Religious horror is a staple of the genre. Famous titles include Rosemary’s Baby, The Omen/The First Omen, and The Exorcist, to list only a few. However, as fantastic as these films are, viewers may unintentionally limit themselves to productions primarily focusing on Christianity, especially Catholicism. After all, these films are easy to access and appeal to mainstream audiences in the US, where I live. After completing the “past, present, & future of horror prompt” for DHR birthday month, I was inspired to check out some religious/ folk horror films from outside of this lens. Here are a few of my favourites in alphabetical order!
Baskin
This 2015 Turkish film follows a group of policemen through a hellish night on patrol. While the grotesque and surreal imagery may feel nightmare-inducing to some viewers, Baskin is worth watching. Some viewers found the storyline a bit confusing, but those who have a background in Zoroastrianism may have an easier time interpreting the film. However, like many stories, your own analyses are always worthwhile!
Exhuma
Exhuma is a 2024 Korean horror film that highlights Korean shamanism as well as feng shui and geomancy. The story follows a family who hire practitioners of these skills to try and remove a familial curse that leads to more devastating results for the shaman, the feng shui master/ geomancer, and their colleagues. With tie-ins to Japan’s colonization of Korea & Japanese shamanism, Exhuma is a slick modern entry in the genre.
Incantation
This 2022 Taiwanese found footage film was very popular with FF fans when released on Netflix. Incantation focuses on Li Ronan, who is trying to reunite with the daughter she abandoned for fear of a curse placed on her after breaking a taboo held by her daughter’s father’s family. In addition to the interesting mythology and deity surrounding the taboo, the focus on Li Ronan as a mother and motherhood in general adds another layer to the story.
The Medium
Another found footage film, this 2021 Thai film takes places in the Isan region of Thailand. A documentary crew interested in learning about mediums chooses to focus on a woman who is possessed by Ba Yan. While we learn more about the nature of mediumship, much of the story explores the fond but fraught relationship between the medium, Nim, and her sister, Noi, and how their acceptance or rejection of mediumship impacts the rest of their family, especially Noi’s daughter Mink.
Tumbbad
This 2018 film is set at several timepoints from 1918 – 1947 in India, and follows Vinayak Rao’s journey to obtain wealth. The central theme of the film focuses on how greed leads Vinayak and others down a despicable path. The monstrous deity pales in comparison to the greed of the human characters, reminding us of how religious horror is often used to highlight the folly of mankind.
While there are some mentions of Christianity in The Medium and Exhuma, they were portrayed as at odds with or merely another belief system to contrast to the folk beliefs or religious practices of other characters. I found each of these films interesting and I recommend them for at least for one viewing, if folk or religious horror is a subgenre you enjoy! I also recommend people check out critiques and reviews from those who are from the countries, regions, and / or practice the religions or folk beliefs mentioned!
Other entries, like The Wailing or Noroi: The Curse, would fit on this list but I wanted to pick some films I have not seen recommended as often or were released more recently. Are there any additional ones I missed and should check out next?
Article by Dee
Twitter & Bluesky: @SirenofScience
