Saint Patrick’s Day is upon us, and while some viewers may imagine this list will detail films pertaining to the Holiday, it instead will explore Irish productions that make our skin crawl. Classic flicks like Leprechaun and its sequels will not be discussed, but rather horror films made in Ireland that are grisly, shocking, and sometimes heartfelt. From undead clowns to zombie cows, the films on this list are as surprising as they are enjoyable.
Stitches
A brutal slasher that’s as funny as it is grisly, Stitches is one of the best killer clown movies to date. Stitches stars stand-up comedian Ross Noble as a party clown who dies during a children’s birthday party and comes back from the dead years later to torment the kids who caused his demise.
Stitches is super gory, but also hilarious. Noble’s Stitches the Clown has the potential to be a horror icon, so it’s a shame the film never produced a sequel.
Mandrake
A Shudder original horror film, Mandrake is a surreal nightmare that feels akin to the work of David Lynch. The film concerns probation officer Cathy Madden, who is tasked with reacclimating serial killer “Bloody Mary” into society. However, Cathy is thrown into a frightening world of the occult where she may be trapped forever.
Mandrake initially appears to be a psychological thriller about a serial killer, but slowly turns into a nightmarish and esoteric trip into a hellscape. Mandrake may be a bit confusing for some, but for more adventurous viewers, this film’s visceral creature effects and zany plotline will prove to be worthwhile.
Son
Another Shudder Original, Son is an American and Irish co-production that is simultaneously heart-wrenching and grotesque. Son stars Andi Matichak as Laura, a pregnant woman who escapes from a cult. Years later, Laura’s son shows terrifying signs of being more affected by his mother’s past than she ever could have thought.
Son is a frightening film that showcases the dark places a mother’s undying love for their child can take them. Son has some very horrifying sequences involving a child with a taste for blood, but the emotional punch proves to be just as strong.
A Dark Song
An Irish and British co-production, A Dark Song is a very authentic portrayal of occult practices. The film follows a grieving mother who enlists an experienced occultist to contact her deceased 7-year-old son, but things go terribly awry.
A Dark Song tackles many classic horror tropes, like a haunted house, but turns them on their head. This film is a heavy-hitter but also provides a certain cinematic catharsis that is extremely effective.
The Hole in the Ground
The Hole in the Ground is an Irish folk horror film directed by Lee Cronin, who went on to helm Evil Dead Rise. This film tells the tale of a mother who suspects her young son may not be the same boy after he disappears and returns near a mysterious sinkhole.
The Hole in the Ground is a bleak horror film that showcases Cronin’s ability to get under the viewers’ skin.
Rawhead Rex
Written by horror legend Clive Barker, Rawhead Rex is an outrageous monster movie from 1986 that perfectly encapsulates the decade it was released. Based on a short story of the same name from Barker’s Books of Blood Vol. 3, Rawhead Rex explores Irish folklore, following a bloodthirsty celestial being that terrorizes the Irish countryside.
Rawhead Rex is cheesy, but the campy gore and memorable set pieces make this film a hidden gem.
Caveat
Caveat is an esoteric mystery horror flick that will play tricks on the viewers’ minds. Caveat was shot in West Cork, County Cork, Ireland and follows a man named Isaac experiencing memory loss. Isaac is soon tasked with attending to a mysterious young woman dealing with mental health issues. However, nothing is as it seems, and Isaac is thrown into a web of lies so deep that there may be no way out.
Caveat carries a ton of suspense, and features some extremely visceral images that will sit in the viewer’s mind for a long while. Sequences involving a velveteen rabbit-esque toy are some of the most unsettling.
Isolation
Isolation is a film about an experiment involving cows that causes the animals to evolve in terrifying ways. Isolation is a creature feature with a lot to say about genetic engineering.
Isolation maintains a gritty style throughout that is reminiscent of the films of the New French Extremity. The film is violent and disturbing, but also contains a lot of thought-provoking social commentary.
Grabbers
Grabbers is a horror comedy that takes place off the Irish coast and features tentacled aliens wreaking havoc on the community. The kicker to this flick is that the only way to stay safe from the monsters is to drink alcohol.
Grabbers features the talents of UK icons like Russell Tovey, Richard Coyle, and Ruth Bradley, greatly adding to the entertainment value of the film. Grabbers is icky and hilarious, resulting in an uproariously good time.
