As folk horror continues to haunt the fields – and our minds – into 2026, there’s so much continuing to be explored in the genre as its revival continues. For all the classics out there – taking in the unholy trinity of The Blood on Satan’s Claw, The Wicker Man and Witchfinder General – the movies coming out in the field continue to explore folk horror in fresh ways.
And it seems suitable for today to explore some of the more fascinating entries from around the world, with the DARKNESS IN THE FIELDS Film Festival returning in 2026 for the third time to Derby’s QUAD venue. And with four international features on the bill for the day of 21st March, folk horror seems to be transcending national borders all the time!
And so, let’s take a look at another top 5 international folk horror films…
Viy – 1967, Dir. Konstantin Ershov, Georgiy Kropachyov, Aleksandr Ptushko
A remarkable cinematic curio, Viy was the only horror film officially released in Soviet-era Russia, and captures a surreal and nightmarish vision of evil and supernatural forces. The movie is based on the book by Nikolai Gogol and has left a powerful impression of viewers for many years. The story follows a young monk, Khoma, who finds himself tasked with watching over a corpse for three days – but he is haunted by outside forces throughout his long vigil…
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders – 1970, Dir. Jaromil Jires
Delving back to the days before the ‘unholy trinity’ once more, and a movie that has often been labelled folk horror, though it blends plenty of elements besides that. With elements of Gothic horror and dark fantasy, this movie feels like watching a fever dream – which is intended as the highest of compliments! Based upon the equally surreal novel by Vitezslav Nezval, I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoiling things – do yourself a favour and watch it knowing as little as you can ahead of time!
The Wailing – 2016, Dir. Na Hong-Jin
A unique story of South Korean curses and shamanism, The Wailing brings something different to the table. While our lead may not be our classic folk horror hero, he is confronted with nightmares for the entirety of this movie’s two-and-a-half hour run time – a suffocating and stultifying experience but one you are bound not to forget in a hurry. South Korea has invested so much into its TV and film industries, and The Wailing is a great example of some of the great horror coming out of that part of the world.
You Won’t Be Alone – 2022, Dir. Goran Stolevski
Tales of witchcraft have long been a source of fascination, and that is the key theme of this excellent Macedonian folk horror. Starring Noomi Rapace, this Macedonian-set movie is folk horror at its most emotional and slow-burn – this one has a strong coming of age element but calls upon so many of the key elements of beliefs surrounding the witch along the way. On top of all that, it’s beautifully shot, superbly acted and ultimately feels like a movie that criminally slipped under the radar.
Mudbrick – 2023, Dir. Nikola Petrovic
We had the pleasure of screening this movie for the festival last year around, and this Serbian movie was a highlight of the day and a real hit with audiences. When Paul returns to his ancestral home having moved away to America, he finds a cold reception from his brother Jakov and hostility greeting him everywhere he turns. The strange beliefs of the village soon begin to take their toll on the reunited family, with dark and shocking consequences – this one is well worth checking out if you can find it.
As mentioned above, the folk horror tradition continues in rude health all over the world, and this year’s DARKNESS IN THE FIELDS FILM FESTIVAL will be presenting Latvia’s animated Dog of God, the French/Polish production Her Will be Done, the intense Algerian tale Roqia and closing with Spain’s The Virgin of the Quarry Lake, based on the writings of Mariana Enriquez.
So if you fancied getting even more international folk horror in your life, why not come and join us? Find out more about the day and grab your tickets at https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/ditf2026/
Happy Goat Horror 
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