5 Must See Backwoods Horror Films

Many horror fans are often divided on what truly makes a horror film scary. There are those who get their kicks from supernatural flicks, believe that abject horror emanates from deformation of the human body, or creatures from the unknown are the scariest form of horror. No one sub-genre is necessarily more scary than the other, as it ultimately depends on the watcher as to what their own subconscious anxieties and fears are. However, one thing that is almost universally agreed upon is the fear of the unknown. What may be lurking behind a tree in dense overgrowth, hiding in a cabin in the middle of the woods, or what exists beyond the limited view of a flashlight are all fears that are ingrained in human nature. In other words, what really is out there?

Here, we'll be exploring some of the best duly dubbed 'backwoods' horror films that delve into the unknown of the woods themselves. Some branch into what it means to survive within this setting, and how the known of the woods can be just as harmful as the unknown.

5- The Hills Have Eyes

Finding itself at the very bottom of this list is Wes Craven's original 1977 backwoods survival horror film The Hills Have Eyes. One issue I have with the term 'backwoods horror' is that often times films not set in the woods or in vast swathes of forest are included within this subgenre. I understand that the term encompasses rural settings that force people into situations of survival usually against predators within an environment far from civilisation, but in that instance it should be called Rural Horror, instead of 'backwoods horror'. I digress. This is yet another reason the film is so low on this list.

Set against the backdrop of rural America, The Hills Have Eyes follows a nuclear family that are travelling across country to California. Naturally, when navigating the breakdown of their vehicle amongst the vast expanse of nothingness in the midwest, they encounter a nuclear family of a different sort. These well-to-do Americans are forced to kill to survive, and begs the question of if they are any better than their murderous counterparts. Well worth the watch, this Craven staple is certainly one of the better survival horror movies out there!

4- Blair Witch Project

The Blair Witch Project (1999) is potentially the most interesting entry on this list. As the film is often heralded as one of the founding fathers of the found-footage sub-genre, and thanks to its marketing campaign monopolising on the spread of news at the time of its release, its setting and backdrop is often forgotten. The film is the 'found footage' of a trio of student documentary makers who went missing upon investigating the mystery behind the Maryland Blair Witch; a tale that originates in the depths of the woods according to the locals.

Much of the fear within this film comes from the disorientation the characters exhibit at the hands of the woods. From going around in circles to having their tents slashed during the night, this trio really cannot catch a break throughout the majority of this film. It's one of my favourites when talking about backwoods horror, as it really epitomises what it means to be caught up the creek (in the woods) without a paddle (battery charge).

3- The Ritual

One of my favourite movies since stumbling across it in 2020, The Ritual (2017) is a folk horror set in the dense forests of Sweden. A group of five embark on a hiking trip as a way of honouring their late friend who was murdered in a robbery-gone-wrong, when mid-way through their journey one of the group injures his leg. With the end of their trail not coming soon enough, the group as forced to take a shortcut through the unmapped Sweden wilderness, entirely deviating from their initial route. With the woods not being as friendly as they had initially hoped, the group are forced to battle against extraneous entities that appear to prey on their darkest fears, and resultantly strip them of their autonomy.

No other film on this list depicts the terror of the British quite like The Ritual, with colloquial language, dialects, and phrases all being utilised to portray an air of authenticity by the actors. The mysticism surrounding forests and woods plays heavily into this narrative as well, with folklore being a major factor in why this film is quite so terrifying. There is less in the way of traditional horror tropes in The Ritual, and I believe that is what makes it quite so special.

2- Dog Soldiers

You may recognise the name Neil Marshall as being the director of 2005 caving-horror The Descent, but before this big-time hit came Scottish monster-flick Dog Soldiers (2002). This film is perhaps the largest outlier on this list, as many would argue that 'backwoods horror' movies must have the threat of local yokels, hillbillies, and gang youths alike as the primary antagonists. However, what larger threat is there than a family of werewolves situated in the middle of the Scottish Highlands awaiting a group of unsuspecting British soldiers out on exercise?

Dog Soldiers is certainly the film on this list that utilises its low-budget in the best way possible, and despite the physical effects being highly questionable, they just work in a very fun and campy way. It's certainly not a go-to film to induce teeth-clenching fear, yet it will provide great entertainment for its 105 minute runtime. Not to mention, it has some B-list actors in that used to live in my local village. So it's a bit of fun for everyone!

1- Eden Lake

My one true love, James Watkins' Eden Lake (2008) is British horror at its absolute finest. Following couple Steve (Michael Fassbender) and Jenny (Kelly Reilly) to a countryside village for their anniversary, they soon are met with the unwavering force and tenacity of the British youth. A group of teenagers become the couple's worst nightmare throughout the duration of this film, and is another great example of the woods playing an integral role in a survival-flick. After first meeting at a quarry lake, the two opposing groups find themselves thrown into the bowels of the neighbouring forest in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

One of the most horrifying realisations of this film stumbles upon it audiences when our protagonist finally makes it out of the woods, and seemingly out of harm's way. As many will attest to this film, its ending is certainly one that stands the test of time. The woods themselves provide the basis from which the horror emanates, and so when their looming presence is removed from equation, the expectation is for our protagonist to reach safety. Yet, it is not always the woods that holds deep horror, but the world at large.