The Irish film industry has been in the limelight recently, receiving fourteen nominations for this year’s Oscars. The Banshees of Inisherin received nine nominations, An Cailín Ciúin became the first Irish language film nominated for Best International Feature Film, and Paul Mescal was nominated for Best Actor. Other categories that saw Irish nominations were Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, and Best Live Action Short Film.
However, this record-breaking year for Ireland could cause another Irish film to slip under the radar. Jon Wright’s Unwelcome, released in the UK and Ireland on January 27, is a new Irish horror film with a bit of everything. While it may not receive the same plaudits as the more popular Irish films at the moment, it is a must-watch for horror fans. Here’s why.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
The Redcaps
Every horror film needs its creepy antagonists. Unwelcome has the Redcaps, also known as fear dearg. So, who are these Redcaps that make life hell for our protagonists? These little creatures are Irish mythological faeries who like to get up to some pretty awful things. Like all good horror films, suspense is built up by the evil lurking in the background, but when the Redcaps jump onto the screen they don’t disappoint. Much like Gremlins, the tiny red cap-wearing faeries turn up and cause havoc. With their gruesome sense of humor and tendency for violence, they steal the third act of the film as all mayhem breaks loose.
They are lovable mischievous villains that will give you a fright and make you laugh. What makes them more endearing is the use of practical effects. In an era of film that is dominated by CGI, it is a welcome change to see great practical effects put to use. When it comes to horror, CGI can be hit or miss. It can often take away from the scare factor and leave you not feeling immersed in the film. Most of the time, practical effects prove to be superior. Especially in horror films. And this is the case here with the practical effects in Unwelcome adding a lot to the atmosphere.
These mythological Redcaps coming to life is something you have to see. Not only do we see less and less practical effects these days, but we also don’t see many horror films like this in general. With the genre mainly being made up of slasher and psychological films it is becoming rare that we see creature features, especially one like this. Wright, who previously directed Grabbers, is clearly a fan of strange and dangerous creatures, and in Unwelcome he shows how effective these types of horror films can be.
A Horror Film That Has Everything
Although the Redcaps are the highlight of the film, there is a lot more to Wright’s newest work. Maya, played by Hannah John-Kamen, and Jamie, played by Douglas Booth are our protagonists. Their story begins with the joyful news that Maya is pregnant. However, this joy is instantly cut short due to a terrifying home invasion that sets a chain of events in motion.
Desperate to leave, they jump at the chance to go to rural Ireland, going from one nightmare to the next. Both Hannah John-Kamen and Douglas Booth put in solid performances as protagonists. You can’t help but be invested in their story. The portrayal of this couple is one an audience can get behind, and you find yourself rooting for them. Throughout the film, obstacles are thrown at them that seem to get more and more strange. And boy do they get strange.
Wright doesn’t hold back when it comes to things getting out of hand. If anything, he encourages it. The film is full of odd characters with unpredictable actions and dialogue that adds to the fairytale gone wrong vibe of the film. Wright doesn’t hold back on the gore either. The gory scenes matched with the brilliant practical effects make for a great spectacle that any horror lover would appreciate.
Of course, the film isn’t perfect, but its strong points outweigh its faults. It has its frightening moments, laugh-out-loud moments, and what is going on moments, which create a really enjoyable experience. It is a feel-good horror film that you can just sit back and have fun.
With the first trailer coming out in 2021 and the film suffering several release delays, Unwelcome could easily be a film that you have forgotten about. Or, due to the lack of promotion, the commotion of awards season, and other new releases, you could just miss it. But, you shouldn’t forget about it or miss it. The Irish folklore horror is a fun time and has the potential to become a cult classic.
Unwelcome is scheduled to be released in the United States on March 10.
