Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
Police sergeant Neil Howie is called to an island village in search of a missing girl whom the locals claim never existed. The investigation is further complicated as Howie’s religious views clash with those of the island’s residents.
The Wicker Man is a singular masterpiece of folk horror whose plot builds with methodical, creeping dread as the clash between Christian puritanism and pagan ritual creates genuine ideological tension. The ending is one of cinema's most shocking and unforgettable — a genuine landmark. Its novelty is exceptional: no other film combines musical interludes, anthropological fascination, and horror so seamlessly, creating a wholly unique tone that has never been replicated. Acting is solid across the board — Woodward's rigid righteousness and Lee's silky Lord Summerisle are memorable — but not transcendent enough to earn a 4. Cinematography is competent and atmospherically Scottish but functional rather than visually dazzling.