Watch The Field Guide to Evil
- NR
- 2019
- 1 hr 58 min
-
4.8 (2,531)
The Field Guide to Evil is a horror anthology film released in 2018. The film tells eight stories from different countries, exploring various folklore myths and legends, all centered around the concept of evil. The unique horror stories are set in different corners of the world like Hungary, Turkey, and Mexico. The movie begins with a Hungarian story called "The Sinful Women of Höllfalva." In this story, a woman, who was once accused of being a witch, is tormented by the small village community even after the burning of her at the stake. Her curse haunts the village, leading to a series of gruesome events. As the story progresses, it reveals the true nature of the villagers who had committed many heinous acts.
The second story named "The Melon Heads" is set in the US state of Ohio. The story is based on a popular urban legend that tells the myth of a group of children with deformed heads living in the woods. The film's adaptation of this urban legend is thrilling and terrifying, capturing the essence of horror movies.
In the third story named "What Ever Happened to Panagas the Pagan?" set in Greece, the tale is based on the myth of a forest god who exacts revenge on a high priestess who betrayed him. The story is atmospheric and brings out the enigmatic pagan belief system of ancient Greek culture.
In Mexico's story called "A Nocturnal Breath," the movie showcases the folklore of the Nahua people's belief in the Cihuateteo, which are spirits of women who died during childbirth. The story is a visual feast that captures the essence of Mexican culture, combining mysticism, religion, and horror in equal measure.
"The Kindler and the Virgin" tells the story of a German folktale where a wicked man kidnaps a virgin each year for sacrifice. But his luck runs out when he tries to kidnap a certain woman, who uses her wit to outsmart him. This tale brings out the dark elements of human nature, unveiling the attitudes towards women in medieval Europe.
The sixth story named "The Cobbler's Lot," set in Persia, tells the story of an unusual child, cursed by a fakir, who grows horns from his head. This curse follows him, and he becomes the subject of ridicule for the ignorant village people. The tale is a poignant commentary on how we treat people who are different from us.
The seventh story, "Palace of Horrors," is set in Turkey, telling the legend of a Khan's daughter who falls in love with a blacksmith. The tale is excellent drama as the repercussions of the affair lead to a series of gruesome events.
The last story, "The Gaze of the Gorgon," is based on Greek mythology of three gorgons living in the woods. This final story brings together all the themes of the film, unifying the underlying concept of evil in all its forms.
The Field Guide to Evil explores diverse cultures, expanding the traditional boundaries of horror movies. The directors have done a remarkable job of representing different locales, creating an atmospheric experience that immerses the audience in folklore. The movie is not for the faint-hearted and is intense, gory, and often disturbing, offering a unique perspective to horror fans.
The Field Guide to Evil is a 2019 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.