‘Fréwaka’ Review: Irish Folk Horror Will Haunt You!

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Without delay, summer will approach faster than you think, followed by autumn – often referred to as “the haunting season.” Essentially, the Shudder streaming service is reminding us that we’ve reached the midpoint of Halloween, so why not mark this occasion with classic Irish folk horror? And let me tell you, Fréwaka is definitely worth watching. It offers a chilling blend of psychological terror and an exclusive setting. In fact, it’s known as the first-ever Irish language horror film.

Despite the subtitles not dampening your spirits, take note: There are numerous other aspects that will send shivers down your spine, I assure you. Directed by Aislinn Clarke (known for The Devil’s Doorway), Fréwaka, which translates to “roots,” challenges us to accept powers beyond human comprehension. It’s a chilling, somber production that may at times be too intense, but horror enthusiasts will surely analyze for days – particularly after those remarkable closing scenes.

Get Off Her Lawn…

The movie Fréwaka kicks off with a classic prelude common to horror films, showing one of its main characters, Peig (Grace Collender), as a young, lively girl. This scene takes place during a house party, where she’s full of life and energy. However, things take a chilling turn as an unseen force begins to torment her, leaving the audience guessing whether it was merely a product of Peig’s imagination or if there truly are malevolent entities lurking in our contemporary society.

In simpler terms, whatever event occurred, it transformed the older version of Peig (Bríd Ní Neachtain) into a recluse who prefers solitude over social interactions, similar to a housebound plant. This change includes Shoo (Clare Monnelly), a seemingly ordinary home care provider hired to live in Peig’s secluded village and tend to her. Given the circumstances, what could potentially lead to complications?

Shoo carries personal burdens, such as her loving fiancée Mila (Aleksandra Bystrzhitskaya), who constantly frets over Shoo’s troubled family background. In truth, it might be Shoo herself who is the baggage, as she clings to numerous items in their home that she refuses to let go, while they try to map out their future together. Coincidentally, Shoo postpones organizing her collections of family keepsakes to instead embark on a challenging task, moving in with the ailing Peig for a temporary stay.

Instead of living right in the bustling center of an Irish city, Peig chooses to reside in secluded hillside areas. Far from welcoming visitors, this elderly agoraphobic woman is terrified at the thought of anyone coming to see her. Is her fear merely a dislike for her neighbors? Peig assures the newcomer Shoo that there’s far more to the tale than meets the eye.

Trauma Bonding

Indeed, Peig reluctantly grants Shoo entry into her simple dwelling. Yet, alongside her complicated past, Shoo carries personal flaws as well. As a famous person once put it, “If you don’t lean on something, I question your authenticity.” Shoo leans heavily on prescription drugs to quell her moments of anxiety (and hysteria), an aid that will prove significant in the tense, small-scale tale that unfolds.

In an unexpected turn of events, Peig starts sharing her deep-seated fears with Shoo, confessing her belief that she was once abducted by the enigmatic beings known as the Na Sídhe, or malevolent entities. As Shoo begins to hear peculiar sounds in the house, one can’t help but wonder if this is more than a coincidence, given that Peig has been assigned to Shoo among all live-in caretakers. Could it be that Peig’s eerie home might eventually lead Shoo to face the ghosts of her own troubled past? Shoo recalls her upbringing as particularly harsh, but there seems to be something even more ominous lurking in her experiences.

The “Root” of All Horror?

If you assume that things become routine or predictable after that point, you might be mistaken. While there are expected elements such as Mila’s panicked phone calls and concerns from her employer, Shoo eventually cuts off all communication following her descent into Peig’s hidden past traumas. Be prepared for a couple of striking scenes featuring inspector Deirdre (Olga Wehrly), sent by Shoo’s employer to verify that Peig is managing her life effectively. However, the story doesn’t end there as writer-director Clarke elevates the drama by involving Deirdre in the potentially sinister narrative – but we won’t reveal any spoilers.

Watching Shoo, who used to run simple errands like buying groceries, transform into someone who experiences these outings as harrowing ordeals due to Peig’s influence, is quite unsettling. It’s almost stressful observing the townsfolk of Ireland laughing at Shoo’s growing anxiousness, which seems to be a reflection of her past traumas that Peig has been urging her to confront. The film certainly takes a dark turn, but this bleakness is characteristic of its narrative. The closing scenes would earn the approval of horror movie masters like Ari Aster, and we eagerly anticipate more from director Clarke – especially if it involves further exploration of this intriguing universe.

Fréwaka will begin streaming on Shudder April 25.

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2025-04-21 10:04