Springtime evokes thoughts of blooming life anew. Many animal species raise their young in the spring, and many plant species — especially flowers — begin their blooming as well. The association of life and springtime is almost synonymous; an idea that is also echoed in folklore, mythology, fairytales and other spiritualism. It’s also a time of connection to the earth through nature, which is commonly portrayed through harvests or celebrations.
Although bright pastel colors and rich saturation are often associated with spring, the themes of blooming, spirituality, nature and fairytales can be prevalent even in darker forms of media. Here are five recommendations for your next horror movie watch that all reflect the feeling of springtime.
The Wicker Man (1973)
The British folklore-horror cult classic “The Wicker Man” is set in a fictional Scottish island called Summerisle: a dreamy, tropical and floral place that’s home to a Celtic-esque pagan cult. The residents of Summerisle cherish the harvest — which they believe needs a human sacrifice — on Mayday, an ambiguous pagan celebration that takes place in spring. The sacrifice is burnt alive in an iconic scene of a huge wicker man totem. There’s a dreamlike quality to the visuals and editing of the movie, which supports both the folklore themes of the film and the aesthetics associated with springtime.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Directed by acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro, “Pan’s Labyrinth” is a Spanish dark fantasy film that fuses the mythological world with the real world. The movie incorporates several ideas from Greek mythology, such as the labyrinth — a never-ending stone maze constructed by Daedalus — and fauns. The overgrown gardens, twisting forests and woodland fairies make the film feel earthen and tethered to the ideas of spring, while maintaining the dark environment and storytelling that del Toro is known for.
Pet Sematary (1989)
An adaptation of the famous novel by Stephen King, “Pet Sematary” follows a family living in the rolling fields of rural Maine, unknowingly next to a Native American spiritual burial ground. Anything buried in the grounds returns from the dead as a malevolent undead version of their past selves. After events of intense grief, the family becomes entangled with the burial grounds, using them multiple times despite their evil consequences. Although the burial ground is full of evil energy, “Pet Sematary” still illustrates a natural spiritualism and connection to the earth — even if that earth creates zombies.
Midsommar (2019)
As another movie centered around a cult, “Midsommar” explores the culture of the Harga, a pagan society living in the Halsingland area, as they host American visitors before a midsummer celebration. The Harga are connected to nature and the life cycle; they live in an open compound, partake in herbal psychedelics and bury their ancestors under a sacred tree. However, they also disguise malicious practices, such as orchestrating sacrifices and manipulating visitors to become integrated into the cult. The movie contrasts the violence of the Harga with beautifully saturated, fairytale-like visuals, with the most famous scene depicting Florence Pugh as her character Dani wearing a crown and dress of bright flowers as the Mayday queen. The entire film feels as if the viewer is observing a fairytale play out.
Annihilation (2018)
Loosely based on the novel “Annihilation” in the Southern Reach trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer, the movie “Annihilation” is about an iridescent alien presence called The Shimmer that is altering plant and animal life inside it. Civilization inside The Shimmer is overgrown and mutated, creating lichen-covered corpses, terrifying bears that can mimic human voices and humanoid flowers. The movie explores themes of self-destruction through the strangely beautiful alien presence and the havoc it brings.
Horror movies aren’t necessarily the traditional media choice during springtime; however, “The Wicker Man,” “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Pet Sematary,” “Midsommar” and “Annihilation” are perfect examples of how the aesthetics of spring can be found in unsuspecting places. Next time you sit down to relax and watch a flick, try putting on one of these horror movies.