St. Patrick's Day is just over a week away, which means that there are plenty of bad stereotypes, Americans claiming heritage, and painful hangovers inbound. Being a fan of horror films I thought that I'd celebrate the impending Paddy's Day by looking at some of our countries greatest (and strangest) horror films from over the years. From indie hits, to cult classics, from zombies, to demons, Ireland has a surprising number of entertaining horror films under its belt. So if you're Irish or just a fan of horror cinema in general, I suggest you give some of these films a look.
Dementia 13 (Francis Ford Coppola, 1963)
What's it about?
In an attempt to secure her late husbands inheritance, Louise Haloran (Luana Anders) travels to his families estate in Ireland with a plan to trick her mother-in-law. However, Louise's plan is cut short when a deranged axe murderer arrives at the estate.
Why it's worth a watch:
Before Apocalypse Now and The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola made his first legitimate directorial effort with Dementia 13. Taking inspiration from earlier films such as Hitchcock's Psycho, the film relies heavily on tension, with several bloody death scenes here or there to keep us on our toes. It's a bit messy and convoluted at times however, and for a film set in Ireland there's a surprise lack of, you know, actual Irish people in it. At the end of the day though, it's a decent whodunnit film with some surprisingly memorable moments, proving that Coppola was a talented filmmaker from early on in his career. If you're a fan of his later stuff then you should definitely check out Dementia 13.
Rawhead Rex (George Pavlou, 1986)
What's it about?
An ancient pagan deity known as Rawhead Rex is unleashed upon the unsuspecting folk of a small village in rural Ireland, wreaking havoc upon anyone who crosses his path.
Why it's worth a watch:
The film is written by Clive Barker himself, although he infamously disowned it, but regardless of that it's still got a certain B-movie charm that earns it a spot on this list. The schlocky creature design, over the top violence, and bizarre performance from Ronan Wilmott as evil cultist Declan all make this an entertaining watch, especially for fans of cult cinema. However, what I like most about Rawhead Rex is that it actually feels Irish. The cast is predominantly made up of Irish actors (including veteran Niall Tóibín) who have genuine Irish accents, there's not a 'begorrah' or 'diddley eye' in sight thank God. Rawhead Rex is not only an entertaining creature feature, but also a national treasure in my eyes.
Wake Wood (David Keating, 2011)
What's it about?
Two grieving parents (Aidan Gillen and Eva Birthistle) are granted the opportunity to spend three days with their deceased daughter by partaking in a pagan ritual. However, it soon becomes clear that their newly-revived child is not all that she seems.
Why it's worth a watch:
Wake Wood feels like a cross between Pet Sematary and The Wicker Man, but at the same time it feels wholly unique as well. It introduces its own mythology that puts a new spin on the familiar 'be careful what you wish for' trope, with impressive results. Despite its low budget the film manages to build this subtle sense of dread throughout that culminates in a catharsis of blood and terror by the final act. Ella Connolly is really unnerving as the undead daughter Alice, while Timothy Spall even pops up in a memorable supporting role. Wake Wood is an eerie and effective folk horror that puts its own spin on a familiar formula. Word of warning though, if you're an animal lover you might want to give this one a miss.
Boy Eats Girl (Stephen Bradley, 2005)
What's it about?
After a series of unfortunate events lead to his death, teenager Nathan (David Leon) is resurrected by his mother, only as a zombie. Nathan must control his thirst for flesh while preventing a zombie apocalypse and winning over the girl of his dreams.
Why it's worth a watch:
Written by Derek Landy of Skulduggery Pleasant fame, this rom-zom-com gives an early look at the writers ability to seamlessly blend comedy with horror together. As expected from Landy, the morbid subject matter and outlandish gore is balanced by witty dialogue and humor, acting as both a parody of and homage to the zombie genre. The climactic sequence in which Jessica (played by former pop sensation Samantha Mumba) slaughters a zombie horde with a tractor feels very reminiscent of Peter Jackson's Braindead and its lawnmower scene. As well as that, a young Domhnall Gleeson also makes an appearance as an unfortunate teenager who is attacked by a zombie priest. So if you've ever wanted to see Samantha Mumba slay some zombies, or Bob from Fair City die a grizzly death, then Boy Eats Girl is just right for you.
Stitches (Conor McMahon, 2012)
What's it about?
After a prank gone wrong leads to his death at a children's party, Stitches the clown (Ross Noble) returns from the grave several years later, to wreak his vengeance on those responsible.
Why it's worth a watch:
If you're a fan of Elm-Street-style 80's slashers, then you'll absolutely love Stitches. Much like the Elm Street franchise, the film is full of inventive death scenes that blur the lines between scary and silly. One of the most memorable involves intestines fashioned into balloon animals and an exploding head, but I don't want to spoil any more of the gory goodness. Ross Noble is also quite entertaining as the sleazy slasher Stitches, quipping one-liners here and there to add some comedic balance to the ensuing horror. It's a shame we never got a Stitches sequel, as the foul-mouthed zombie clown would fit in well with slasher giants like Freddy Krueger and co. Fun, freaky, and filled to the brim with gore, Stitches is a severely underrated Irish slasher film.
Without Name (Lorcan Finnegan, 2017)
What's it about?
Land surveyor Eric (Alan McKenna) is sent to assess an ancient forest in Dublin where he meets up with his student and mistress Olivia (Niamh Algar). However, strange forces are at play in the forest, causing Eric to slowly lose his mind.
Why it's worth a watch:
One of my top ten horror films of last year, Without Name is a psychedelic nightmare that preys on the senses. Using disorienting imagery and a sinister atmosphere, the film toys with the mind of its audience and will quickly put you under its spell. It's not an explicitly scary film, nor is it significantly bloody either, but instead it opts for a more psychological approach that works wonderfully. Its slow-pacing and ambiguous ending means that this won't be everybody's cup of tea, but if you're into more cerebral, mind-bending stuff, then Without Name might just be the film for you.
Dead Meat (Conor McMahon, 2004)
What's it about?
After a strain of mad cow disease spreads throughout rural Ireland, the infected humans begin to turn into ravenous, flesh-eating zombies. Spanish tourist Helena (Maria Araujo) finds herself stranded in this zombie-infested landscape, teaming up with a gravedigger (David Muyllaert) in order to fight for survival.
Why it's worth a watch:
Before going on to do Stitches, Conor McMahon gave us the true spectacle of low-budget cinema that is Dead Meat. Feeling very much in the same vein as The Evil Dead, the film does wonders with its low budget by creating memorable zombies and even more memorable death scenes. One of my favourites involves a hoover being used to suck out an eyeball. The rural Irish backdrop gives the film a further sense of isolation as well, never before had Leitrim looked so apocalyptic. The real highlight however is Cathal (Eoin Whelan), the paddy-cap-wearing zombie slayer who is probably the only person to ever kill a zombie with a hurl. Dead Meat proves that you can do a lot with very little, making for an effectively gory, rural zombie romp.
The Canal (Ivan Kavanagh, 2014)
What's it about?
A film archivist (Rupert Evans) finds his sanity beginning to slip after watching a film reel with footage of a gruesome murder that took place at his home in the 1900's.
Why it's worth a watch:
Next to Bono and the housing prices, The Canal is without a doubt one of the scariest things to come out of Dublin. The film constantly plays with the viewers mind, blurring the lines between dreams and reality to create a truly nightmarish experience altogether. Instead of relying on jump scares or excessive gore, the film instead focuses heavily on sound and imagery which makes for a much more atmospheric film overall. The pacing is a bit on the slow side so it does require a bit of patience at times, but trust me, it's so worth it in the long run. If you're a native Dub like myself you'll also probably spot a few locations from around the city as well, such as the National Archives and areas along the Grand Canal. Packed to the brim with spine-tingling tension and constantly messing with the audiences head, The Canal is definitely not one for the fainthearted.
The Hallow (Corin Hardy, 2015)
What's it about?
Adam (Joseph Mawle) travels to Ireland with his wife and infant son in order to survey a vast woodland that's set to be logged. However, it soon becomes clear that strange creatures inhabit the woods, and they're not exactly friendly when it comes to trespassers.
Why it's worth a watch:
This unique creature feature from Corin Hardy has the setup and suspense of a home invasion film, packed with the creativity and visual flare of a classic monster movie. Full of slow-burning tension, imaginative creature designs, and plenty of Easter eggs for horror fans, The Hallow is a fantastic homegrown horror. The practical effects and unique monster designs give the film its own sense of personality, akin to the works of Guillermo Del Toro, but its allusions to Irish folklore and mythology make it feel a lot closer to home. It's a truly original film with excellent performances from Joseph Mawle and Bojana Novakovic as his characters wife, Claire. Also be sure to look out for Michael McElhatton from Game of Thrones, and the always entertaining Michael Smiley making a cameo as a Garda. The Hallow will make you fear nature like nothing ever before.
Grabbers (Jon Wright, 2012)
What's it about?
When a remote island comes under attack from blood-sucking, tentacled aliens, alcoholic Garda Ciarán O'Shea (Richard Coyle) and his workaholic partner Lisa Nolan (Ruth Bradley) are the first line of defense against them. However, they soon exploit a weakness in their extraterrestrial foes: alcohol-tainted blood, meaning that the only way to defeat the Grabbers is to get absolutely smashed.
Why it's worth a watch:
If you're going to watch any film this Paddy's Day, horror or not, let it be Grabbers. This memorable horror comedy plays on that stereotype of the Irish and their alcohol in a clever way that isn't patronising, but is a lot of fun. The idea that alcohol is the only means of survival for these characters is pure genius, and perfect for a Paddy's Day watch. Along with its brilliant premise and sharp humor, Grabbers also boasts some excellent special effects and a talented cast including both Coyle and Bradley, as well as Being Human's Russell Tovey, and Bronagh Gallagher herself. In a way it feels almost like Ireland's answer to Edgar Wright's Cornetto trilogy, blending comedy, terror, and alcohol in the most inventive way possible. So if you're stuck for something to watch this Paddy's Day, look no further than the alcohol-fuelled, sci-fi spectacular that is Grabbers.
So if you find your plans have fallen through this Paddy's Day, or if you're just not that into going out, then why not sit back and enjoy one of these homegrown horror films? I should be back next week with some more content, but in case I'm not, have a happy (and safe) St. Patrick's Day!
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