Gaua (The Night)
Shownotes
Three women washing clothes in a dark Basque forest have a few stories to tell. So do Andy, Dave and David, once they have recovered from the headgear. Is Gaua the real folk horror deal?
A frightened woman escapes into the woods. Her husband may or may not be dead. Three old women offer sanctuary, provided there is a decent horror story to go with it.
This week, FolknHell tackles Gaua (The Night) (2025), Paul Urkijo Alijo's Basque-language horror film. Andy Davidson, Dave Houghton and David Hall find plenty to admire: a tree-bark wolf, a very unwelcome chicken-headed visitor, witches flying through the night, an extraordinary sabbath and hats that could probably have their own episode.
But there's more than witchery here. The film pits Catholic authority against older beliefs, and one woman's desire against the people determined to control it. The three hosts agree it's folk horror. They're less united on its pacing, tension and precisely who counts as an outsider.
There are comparisons with The Witch and November, plus a diversion into the fine art of rowing a bathtub through the sky.
Spoiler warning: The discussion reveals major plot turns and the ending. Watch Gaua first if you'd rather let the forest introduce itself.
FolknHell VerdictFolk horror. A visually spectacular, often funny and surprisingly moving piece of Basque witchcraft, even if the tension doesn't always keep up with the creatures. 22.5/30 overall.
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Discussion of domestic abuse, coercive religious authority, homophobia, death, violence and disturbing supernatural imagery. Strong language and major spoilers.
Folknhell is the folk horror podcast where Andy Davidson, Dave Houghton and David Hall dig into strange cinema, argue about whether it really counts as folk horror, and score every film out of 30.
Add your own score and comments about the films at https://www.folknhell.com/scores
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