Lord of Misrule Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A new minister moves to a quaint British village, only to find their annual harvest festival includes a slightly less-than-traditional ‘bring your child to the sacrifice’ segment.

🍿 Lord of Misrule: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A New Beginning in a Secluded Village

The film introduces Rebecca Holland, the new minister of a seemingly idyllic, remote rural community. She moves to the village with her husband and young daughter, Grace, seeking a fresh start and a peaceful life. Initially, the community appears welcoming, but Rebecca soon senses an undercurrent of ancient traditions and a deep-rooted, almost pagan, adherence to the land’s history.

The Disappearance of Grace

During the annual village harvest festival, a vibrant and seemingly harmless celebration, Rebecca’s daughter, Grace, mysteriously vanishes. The disappearance occurs amid the festivities, leaving Rebecca and her husband frantic with worry. The local police initiate a search, but the close-knit community’s response is peculiar, hinting at hidden knowledge or an unusual acceptance of the event.

Unraveling Ancient Secrets

As Rebecca desperately searches for Grace, she begins to uncover the village’s darker history and its unsettling spiritual practices. She learns about the ‘Lord of Misrule,’ a historical figure or ritual associated with chaos, tradition, and perhaps sacrifice, linked to the land’s cycles. The villagers’ evasiveness and the discovery of cryptic clues lead Rebecca down a terrifying path, questioning whether Grace’s disappearance is connected to these old customs.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Rebecca Holland (Tuppence Middleton): The town’s new vicar who desperately searches for her missing daughter amidst the village’s ancient pagan traditions.
• Jocelyn Abney (Ralph Ineson): A prominent villager and traditionalist who plays a key role in the pagan rituals surrounding the harvest festival.
• Grace Holland (Evie Templeton): The young daughter of the new minister who mysteriously vanishes during the village’s annual harvest festival.
• Henry Holland (Matt Stokoe): Rebecca’s supportive husband who joins her in the increasingly desperate and dangerous search for their missing daughter.
• Derry Nash (Luc Ineson): A village boy who provides critical, unsettling information to Rebecca regarding the town’s hidden practices and Grace’s disappearance.
• DI Hythe (David Langham): The skeptical police detective investigating Grace’s disappearance who struggles to comprehend the village’s strange ways.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jocelyn Abney: “Then release me from this pain.” – Said by Jocelyn Abney, hinting at the profound burden, knowledge, or suffering associated with his deep-seated role within the village’s ancient, dark traditions.
• Children: “Up your ass, Reverend!” – Chanted by the village children directly to Rebecca Holland, highlighting the pervasive irreverence and unsettling nature of the community towards outsiders and their established religion.
• The Village: “He stands in the fields and waits.” – A chilling phrase often repeated by the villagers, referring to the ancient deity Gallowgog and its watchful, ever-present power over the land and its people.
• Narrative: “All is as was.” – The unsettling final statement of the film, indicating the cyclical nature of the village’s ancient pagan traditions and the return to their established, unbreakable order despite the events that transpired.

💰Box Office

• Budget: Undisclosed
• Domestic Gross: $3,717
• Worldwide Gross: $1,103,427

💥 Lord of Misrule Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I just watched Lord of Misrule, and wow, it really gets under your skin! I’m a huge fan of folk horror, and this totally scratched that itch. The atmosphere is just thick with dread from the moment Rebecca arrives in that seemingly idyllic village. It’s not about jump scares; it’s that creeping feeling that something is deeply, *anciently* wrong here. Tuppence Middleton is fantastic as the vicar desperately searching for her daughter; you really feel her growing panic and isolation. And Ralph Ineson as Jocelyn? His voice alone is enough to send shivers down your spine, adding so much to the unsettling vibe. There were definitely moments at the harvest festival where I felt genuinely uncomfortable, like I was witnessing something I shouldn’t. Yeah, people compare it to The Wicker Man, and you can see why with the isolated village and pagan rituals, but I think it carves out its own unique, chilling path. The ending left me thinking for a while too, which I always appreciate in a horror movie. Definitely worth a watch if you’re into atmospheric, slow-burn horror that messes with your head.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of folk horror (e.g., ‘The Wicker Man’, ‘Midsommar’)”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slow-burn psychological thrillers”
  • “Audiences interested in British independent cinema”
  • “Those intrigued by pagan rituals and ancient village secrets”
  • “Mystery enthusiasts with a taste for the macabre”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Supernatural/pagan themes”
  • “Child endangerment (central to plot)”
  • “Ritualistic elements”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Psychological distress”
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Atmospheric tension”

Professional Reviews

• The Cinematic Eye: “Lord of Misrule masterfully conjures a suffocating folk horror atmosphere, drawing viewers into its unsettling rural landscape. Tuppence Middleton delivers a compelling performance as the desperate vicar, navigating a village steeped in ancient, terrifying traditions. It’s a slow burn, but the tension steadily builds, culminating in a genuinely unsettling and thought-provoking climax that genre fans will appreciate.
• Reel Reviews: “Despite a strong cast, Lord of Misrule struggles to break new ground in the folk horror genre. The narrative often feels overly familiar, leaning heavily on established tropes of isolated villages and sinister pagan rituals. While there are moments of visual flair and some chilling performances, particularly from Ralph Ineson, the predictable plot ultimately diminishes its overall impact. A watchable but uninspired effort.
• Screen Insights: “William Brent Bell’s Lord of Misrule presents a visually rich and atmospheric British folk horror tale. Tuppence Middleton and Ralph Ineson deliver strong, anchoring performances that elevate the material. While the script sometimes meanders and the pacing can be uneven, the film successfully creates a sense of dread and unease. It might not reinvent the wheel, but it’s a solid, moody entry for fans of the subgenre.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were captivated by the pervasive, eerie atmosphere and the unsettling pagan rituals.: Many found the film to be a compelling slow-burn folk horror experience, praising its immersive sound design and unique take on ancient British traditions.

The lead performances, especially Tuppence Middleton’s desperation and Ralph Ineson’s sinister presence, truly resonated with audiences.: Audiences consistently lauded the strong acting and the effective way the film built tension without relying on cheap jump scares, making it a thoughtful, creepy watch.

Overall Consensus: Lord of Misrule is generally praised as a solid, atmospheric folk horror film with strong performances, particularly for those who appreciate slow-burn tension and traditional pagan themes, though some found its plot derivative.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie is structurally divided into four distinct chapters, each mirroring and representing a different part of the traditional harvest festival depicted in the film.”
• “Ralph Ineson, who plays the pivotal character Jocelyn Abney, shares the screen with his real-life son, Luc Ineson, who appears in a smaller role as Derry Nash.”
• “The film reinterprets the historical ‘Lord of Misrule,’ a figure traditionally associated with overseeing Christmas merriment and feasts during the Tudor and Stuart periods, transforming him into a darker, pagan-rooted entity central to its horror narrative.”

🖥️ How to Watch Lord of Misrule?

The atmospheric folk horror film ‘Lord of Misrule’ is typically available for digital rental or purchase across major platforms. You can often find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability and pricing, as it may occasionally rotate onto subscription services specializing in independent or horror cinema. Physical media options like DVD or Blu-ray may also be available for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Lord of Misrule, you might like these similar films:

• The Wicker Man (1973): A foundational folk horror classic about an outsider investigating a missing girl in a secluded pagan island community, sharing themes of ancient rituals, cultural clash, and escalating dread.
• Midsommar (2019): For its vibrant yet disturbing portrayal of a secluded pagan community and their intense, ritualistic practices during a summer festival, akin to the unsettling atmosphere and communal horror of ‘Lord of Misrule’.
• The Ritual (2017): Features a group of friends lost in a Scandinavian forest who stumble upon ancient pagan worship and a terrifying entity, similarly blending folk horror with creature feature elements and isolated dread.
• The Witch (2015): Also starring Ralph Ineson, this atmospheric horror explores a family’s descent into fear and unsettling supernatural events steeped in historical folklore, sharing a similar dark, rural aesthetic and focus on ancient malevolence.
• Starve Acre (2023): A contemporary British folk horror film that similarly delves into grief, ancient superstitions, and the dark, malevolent forces lurking in isolated rural landscapes, making it a fitting companion piece.

🛒 Lord of Misrule Related Products

• Lord of Misrule Collector’s Edition Blu-ray: Dive deeper into the chilling world of Lord of Misrule with this special collector’s edition. Features high-definition transfer, behind-the-scenes documentaries on the film’s folk horror inspirations, interviews with Tuppence Middleton and Ralph Ineson, and an exclusive director’s commentary track. Includes concept art gallery and a reversible sleeve.
• A Field Guide to British Folk Horror: Essential Films & Lore: Explore the rich history and cultural impact of British folk horror cinema and literature. This comprehensive guide features essays on iconic films like The Wicker Man and Witchfinder General, alongside lesser-known gems and the ancient folklore that inspired them. Perfect for understanding the genre’s themes and evolution.
• Lord of Misrule Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Vinyl): Immerse yourself in the haunting score of Lord of Misrule with this limited edition vinyl soundtrack. Featuring Brett Detar’s evocative compositions, including ‘Oh, Gallowgog’ and ‘Ballad of Tobias Bron,’ the album captures the film’s eerie, atmospheric essence. A must-have for soundtrack collectors and folk music aficionados.
• Harvest Festival: The Village Game (A Folk Horror Board Game): Step into a remote, isolated village where ancient traditions hold sway. Harvest Festival is a cooperative board game for 2-4 players, where you must uncover the village’s dark secrets and survive the annual pagan ritual before you become the next sacrifice. Features thematic artwork and challenging gameplay.

🎧 Soundtrack

Lord of Misrule features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Oh, Gallowgog” – performed by Brett Detar feat. Alice Allen, Geoff Black, Alan Snelling, Katherine Lucas, Maria Jurd, Jenny Larsen & Susanna Starling
• “Ballad of Tobias Bron” – performed by Brett Detar

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Lord of Misrule Exclusive Movie Clip -She’s Away Now (2023) | Vudu

Curious about ‘Lord of Misrule’ but don’t want spoilers? This exclusive movie clip, ‘She’s Away Now’, is a perfect way to experience a piece of the film’s unsettling vibe and acting without giving too much away – I found it really builds the suspense!

Õudusfilm SAATANAKUMMARDAJAD (Lord of Misrule) | Kinodes alates 29. detsembrist

Want a quick summary of ‘Lord of Misrule’ in Estonian? This video gives a detailed overview of the plot and themes, perfect if you’re looking for an international perspective on the film’s release – it’s fascinating to see how the movie is introduced in different markets!

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