5 Iconic Movies With Folklore Creatures So Compelling You'll Sleep With Lights On
There is a reason why they have fascinated people since time immemorial, and they have also been a great source of inspiration for some unsettling movies.
Various kinds of mythical creatures have fascinated people since the dawn of time, which is how they found their way into folklore in the first place. And when cinema came along, they provided an endless source of inspiration for creators, although the results were quite mixed. So here are 5 movies that feature them and will send shivers down your spine.
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Guillermo del Toro is famous for including truly disturbing creatures in his movies, and this one is no exception. Set five years after the Spanish Civil War, it follows a young girl, Ofelia, who meets a faun who tells her that she is the reincarnation of a fairy tale princess, Moanna. In addition to the titular creature, it also features several others, including an incredibly creepy Pale Man.
Antlers (2021)
This time Guillermo del Toro only produced the movie, but somehow his "fingerprints" are all over it, especially in the way a terrifying Wendigo creature is depicted. While the story of a boy whose father and brother are cursed may be a bit inconsistent, the depiction of the monster makes it well worth your time if you are into such legends.
Trollhunter (2010)
This Norwegian found-footage mockumentary follows a group of students who discover that the mythical trolls really exist and are being exterminated by hunters. While the style may not be for everyone, it has a great chilling atmosphere and terrifying depictions of the titular monsters.
The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
The Mothman is one of the most famous examples of modern folklore, originating in 1966, and this movie starring Richard Gere delves right into it. Columnist John Klein begins his investigation into the mythical creature after his wife becomes obsessed with it following a car accident they both survived, which leads to some creepy and mysterious events.
The Ritual (2017)
After four friends decide to take a hike in the Swedish woods in memory of their recently deceased comrade, things begin to take a sinister turn. Though it may not be obvious at first, the film has ties to Norse folklore, along with a deeply unsettling atmosphere of an ancient evil lurking in the dark woods.