When most people think of witches, their minds usually go straight to Salem and the infamous witch trials of 1692. Those events have become one of the most recognizable chapters in witchcraft history, even though many of the stories surrounding them have been exaggerated over the years.
Long before Salem, England had already been prosecuting people accused of witchcraft. The first English Witchcraft Act was passed in 1542, and accusations continued for generations as people were branded witches and subjected to trials, imprisonment and execution.
Being huge history buffs and lovers of all things macabre and spooky, we were immediately drawn to THE CAGED, a new folk horror film making its Screamfest debut October 10.
Now in its 26th year, Screamfest has been bringing independent horror to Los Angeles since 2001, making it one of the longest-running genre film festivals in the United States. We have seen some amazing films come through the doors at Screamfest and we have a feeling this year won’t be any different.
WATCH THE TRAILER FOR “THE CURSED” BELOW
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: Inspired by true events, the film follows a British family who moves into an old cottage in Essex in 1988. After experiencing a dark presence inside the home, they begin researching its history and discover that the property was once known as The Cage, a medieval prison where women accused of witchcraft were held before being put to death.
Among those connected to this dark history is Ursula Kemp, one of the most notorious figures associated with Essex witchcraft accusations. A midwife and healer, Kemp was accused of witchcraft and hanged in 1582.
That real history gives The Caged a particularly creepy foundation. Folk horror has always had a way of taking old superstitions, local legends and forgotten history and turning them into something genuinely unsettling. The idea that a seemingly ordinary home could sit on ground connected to centuries old accusations and executions is exactly the sort of setup that gets our attention. We love the history and psychology behind why these things happened.
The trailer looks bleak, atmospheric and appropriately uncomfortable, with the kind of old world dread that makes folk horror work so damn well. There are no flashy gimmicks needed when the history itself is already disturbing. We definitely think this one should be on your radar.
THE CAGED is directed by Jeffrey Scott Collins (Above the Line) and stars Tamzin Merchant (The Tudors, Pride & Prejudice), Edmund Kingsley (The Witcher), Rafiella Chapman (His Dark Materials) and Callen Carter.