02/27/2026 Guest Review! Movie time with Sue Rovens-The Wicker Man (1973)
- Candace Nola
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
So, while I am away at Scares That Care presents AuthorCon 6 and Christina is in the middle of moving, and Dani, may or may not be stuck somewhere between a blizzard and VA, we have some guest reviews for you to enjoy!
Today, we have Sue Rovens with a movie review!
The Wicker Man (1973)
By Sue Rovens
The subgenre of folk horror as we know it was coined by reviewer, Rod Cooper to describe the film, Blood on Satan’s Claw (1971). While the Blood film isn’t the focus of THIS review, the 1973 version of The Wicker Man easily tucks itself into this category and was included in the origin of this moniker.
The original Wicker Man is a standard among horror movie fans. If you haven’t seen it, please do. So many aspects of this film have infiltrated newer movies, books, and television, including memes, stills, and parodies. It’s an important pillar to have in one’s horror arsenal.
Wicker Man, at its core, is a relatively simple tale. Police sergeant Neil Howie (played by Edward Woodward) investigates the disappearance of a pre-teen girl on the Scottish island of Summerisle. While the basic story reads like a current true crime scenario, everything else going on behind the scenes (of the main story) is what makes this movie memorable.
Odd characters, surreal settings, psychological double-talk, and an impenetrable pagan stronghold take hold as the film progresses. Once we realize that Sgt. Howie will remain steadfast in his own beliefs (Christianity) regardless of what is happening around him in this deadly game of “set-up”, it’s only a matter of time before we, the audience, are forced to choose our own sides. In one standout scene, Sgt. Howie and Lord Summerisle (played to perfection by Christopher Lee) discuss this very issue – the conflict between Christianity and paganism and why the town chose to ultimately embrace the latter.
The final scene (and the moments leading up to it) is likely etched on every horror fan’s brain. Not only is the ending shot of Wicker Man iconic, but it’s one of the most horrifying images in the entire genre. The first time I watched it, I needed palate cleansers for weeks. (Thank you, The Office!) The re-imagining of The Wicker Man (2006) with Nick Cage (not the bees!) does the original no favors. I’ve not seen the sequel, The Wicker Tree (2011), but I can’t imagine that it compares to the film of ’73.
If you are searching for original folk horror at its best, do yourself a favor and watch this one. From skilled actors to incredible scenery and landscapes to foundational core horror at its end, The Wicker Man (1973) has been holding its own for over fifty years, and I’m confident that it will continue to do so for decades to come.
High Recommend for those who love folk horror, original story arcs, questionable religious practices, 70s movies, Christopher Lee.
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