I don’t know about you, but as leaves turn and blanket the ground, the long fall nights and crisp mornings conjure up seasonal cinematic cravings for all things heavy with unease and folk horror leanings. That, combined with a desire to see Dan Stevens in well, anything and everything, inevitably leads me down the path toward one of the most underseen folk horror films of the last decade. Rich with texture and practically smelling of moss and mud, Gareth Evans’ 2018 film Apostle leans into many of the traditional folk horror trappings, while also delivering one of the most brutal and unexpectedly shocking folk horror outings ever.
Now, in some ways, the emphasis on startling setpieces and surprising moments of violence in Apostle makes sense. After all, the film was written and directed by Gareth Evans. Perhaps best known for his intense action masterpieces The Raid and The Raid 2, along with the “Safe Haven” segment in V/H/S/2, Evans is a true master craftsman when it comes to delivering unsettling moments on screen. However, it is the combination of slow, tactile horror, creepy cults, and thoughtful casting working in tandem with Evans’s affinity for gore that elevates Apostle into something truly unforgettable. Starring Dan Stevens (The Guest), Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon), Lucy Boynton (The Pale Blue Eye), and Bill Milner (X-Men: First Class), Apostle is a beautifully bleak night-at-home option and is currently streaming on Netflix.
Overflowing with Folk Horror Fixings
The setup for Apostle is straightforward enough. Set in 1905, Thomas Richardson (Stevens) travels to a remote Welsh island to locate and retrieve his sister from a mysterious community, which he soon discovers is, in fact, a full-blown cult that worships an ancient goddess tied to the land. Refusing to leave without his sister, Richardson soon uncovers the community’s many monstrous secrets and penchant for bone-deep violence. As Dread Central’s own Sharai Bohannon so perfectly put it, “Apostle is straight from hell and has gruesome deaths, a disturbing creature reveal, and almost two hours of stress.” This statement nails it as the movie’s dread and physical nastiness definitely linger, setting it apart from many of its folk horror brethren.
Even though the movie’s squirm-inducing moments of violence and torture are truly something to behold, Apostle also succeeds in delivering properly atmospheric folk horror vibes. Here, Stevens shines as Richardson with his polished accent and dashing good looks, looking properly out of place on the rugged island with its rustic structures and dense surrounding foliage. Desperate to save his beloved sister, Richardson’s patience soon wears thin, resulting in a sympathetic yet disturbing spiral into unhinged desperation. Further reinforced by the cult’s own ambitions and religious fervor, coupled with an ancient power far greater and more mysterious than one might expect, Apostle lands a decisive emotional blow.
So if the slow, depressing descent into winter has you craving a movie as moody and atmospheric as it is brutal, take Apostle out for a metaphoric stroll. Overflowing with texture, picturesque landscapes, and creepy cult antics, it has the exact kind of chill that pairs perfectly with a cozy blanket and candlelight. Just, maybe don’t eat while watching it. For those that dare, Apostle is now streaming on Netflix.
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