Folk Horror has seen a substantial resurgence in recent years, perhaps becoming the most popular sub-genre across all Horror mediums. One of the aspects that keeps it going is the vast array of cultural stories from all over the world, most of which contain creatures and curses not widely known to the world at large. This fertile territory still has plenty to offer, as evidenced by Unwelcome, a tale of trauma, survival, and rebirth, wrapped in the veneer of Irish Folk Horror.
Released Blu-Ray back on May 9, 2023 via Well Go USA and set to premiere on Shudder streaming service Friday, June 23rd, Unwelcome is the latest feature from Northern Irish Director Jon Wright (Tormented 2009, Grabbers 2012), and focuses on the tale of a young English couple, Maya (Hannah John-Kamen: Game of Thrones series, Killjoys series) and Jamie (Douglas Booth: The Limehouse Golem 2016, The Dirt 2019) who have just found out they are pregnant. As Jamie goes to the local store to buy a bottle of champagne, he is accosted by three thugs, who later break in and brutally assault the couple. Thankfully there is no permanent damage physically, but both are traumatized.
As luck would have it, Jamie has an old Irish aunt who passed away soon after and leaves them her family home in Ireland. It’s a very familiar setup – saving grace by way of an unknown, deceased relative who happens to be more well off than their benefactors. But before dismissing Unwelcome as old hat or out of jealousy, viewers should know there is a pretty decent engine under the hood. A friend of Jamie’s aunt Meave, Niamh (Niamh Cusack: Matterhorn 2007, Hearafter 2010) tells them of the tradition of leaving an offering of raw meat for the Redcaps, creatures of the nearby woods who are spoken of in hushed, fearful tones. Niamh offers to come by and do this herself; it is half suggestion and half warning, but Maya, still traumatized by their assault back in England, refuses and says she’ll do it herself despite barely taking Niamh seriously.
For those who don’t know, Redcaps are goblin-like creatures from Irish/Scottish legend. There are some differences in them by region, but generally are fierce, bold, and murderous, and get the name redcap from dipping their caps in the blood of their victims. The couple soon find themselves in a much worse situation than the one they ran from, and must face threats both earthly and supernatural while an emasculated Jamie and very pregnant Maya struggle to survive.
Jon Wright’s other films, Grabbers and Tormented, fall clearly into the realm of Horror Comedy, but fans of those films should temper their expectations for this one, which is much darker and violent, but still holds on to some shlock. The tension and build-up to the reveal of the Redcaps is well done, and a special mention must be given to the practical effects. A common complaint among Horror fans is the reliance on CGI, but this is one of the films which delve back into the not-quite-lost art of practical effects, and they are good quality and exactly what those fans are looking for.
The lead actors are both very good, and their relationship and struggles are believable. There is also a very talented supporting cast of Irish actors, who play a family of contractors hired by the couple to fix up the neglected infrastructure of the house. They include veteran actor Colm Meaney (Die Hard 2 1990, Star Trek: The Next Generation series), Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (Derry Girls series, Screw series), and Olivier-Award winning Chris Walley (1917 2019, Bloodlands series). One could see the material falling short in the wrong hands, but the actors’ and Wright’s skills hit the tone just right, and it strikes a precarious balance between scares and not taking itself overly seriously.
Overall, Unwelcome is a nice entry in the Folk Horror wave of recent years. Some of it is familiar, but it establishes its own identity by delivering the unexplored territory of Redcaps, high quality practical effects, and characters who are sympathetic and grounded, whom the audience will have no trouble getting behind. Unwelcome is well worth your time for a weekend viewing of Folk Horror, and for these reasons, Cryptic Rock gives it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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