Mythology has been the core of many people’s lives and continues to directly, and indirectly, guide entire civilizations through the ages. From the ancient Greek and Mayan city-states to the Babylonian and Roman empires, these myths provided explanations of life and its many surprises. Since then, mythology and their respective believers have influenced the role of government, societal expectations, and the media, becoming a lucrative and entertaining subset of the fantasy genre.
Understandably, many filmmakers have explored ancient myths from across the world. Some films have transformed classic tales of gods and monsters into accessible, contemporary stories that highlight the spontaneous nature of life as well as the eternal debate of fate versus free will. For better or for worse, mythology-based media shines a light on the creativity of humanity, not only through myths but through various forms of problem-solving, conflict resolution, and, at its best, nuanced approaches to depicting subjects both familiar and overlooked.
Between their intriguing premise, alluring cinematography, and engaging plots, these movies have breathed new life into age-old myths, despite flying under the radar.
10 Support Group Olympus (2021)
Support Group Olympus is an independent creation from the mind of Jimmy Francis that follows the Greek pantheon in modern times. Stripped of their abilities, they convene in a support group and air out their grievances about life on Earth. From their misanthropic views, concerns about income, and dangerous addictions. While there are comedic moments sprinkled throughout the film, the overall project is anything but light-hearted, humanizing the gods in a similar manner to the ordinary person in antiquity.
A Morose Look at the Mundane
Staring into an abyss of despair, resentment, and discord, Support Group Olympus arrives with an interesting premise. Even with its choppy moments, the story as a whole relies on a notable depiction of the magical as the mundane. Literally placing the gods on Earth, the film uses divinity to highlight the resilience of humanity in the face of suffocating pressures. As deities, Support Group Olympus sees the primordial figures contend with the consequences of their creations in the most direct way possible.
9 Antigone (1961)
Based on the Sophocles play of the same name, Antigone follows the titular protagonist, portrayed by the highly revered Irene Papas, through a rather troubling family feud. Known for her loyalty, Antigone attempts to pay respects to her deceased brother Polynices, much to the dismay of her father Creon (Manos Katrakis), the king of Thebes. Perceived as an act of treason, Creon imprisons Antigone in a closed-off cave, and the film soon transforms into a chilling exploration of isolation and an insightful commentary on the meaning of life.
A Classic Revisited
Earning a slew of accolades and recognition from the international film festivals hosted in Berlin, San Francisco, and Thessaloniki, Antigone was cherished for its stellar portrayals of the tragic characters as well as its dedication to carrying the essence of the Greek myth to a new, modern audience. The film, much like its source material, begs audiences to consider the lengths at which tradition should impede the treatment of loved ones. With the three major gods of the Pantheon being invoked by the likes of Antigone and Creon, the story excellently emphasizes the roles the gods played in everyday life, from the most simple to the most complex.
8 Under the Shadow (2016)
Under The Shadow is a Persian-language film that takes place during the "War of The Cities," a series of attacks launched by Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War. Shideh (Narges Rashidi), a medical student and a mother, remains in Tehran despite the threat of aerial strikes from Iraq. While her husband joins the war effort, Shideh and her daughter Dorsa (Avin Manshad) remain in the capital. Not only are they haunted by the threat of Iraqi aggression, but they also appear to be tormented by a djinn, a mischievous species found both in pre-Islamic cultures in the SWANA region and in the Qu'ran.
Frightening and Fascinating at Its Core
Melding the natural fear of war with a greater fear of the supernatural, Under The Shadow remains in conversation with authentic anxieties experienced by Iranians. By focusing on the specific discord spurred by the Iran-Iraq War, as well as Islam's influence on the private lives of Iranians, Under The Shadows is both a fascinating supernatural horror and an insightful chronicle of femininity, religion, and the nuanced state of Iran. For those in search of a story rich in fright, mystery, and lore, Under The Shadow is nothing short of perfect.
7 La Llorona (2019)
La Llorona is a Spanish-language supernatural horror that follows a former Guatemalan dictator by the name of Enrique Monteverde (Julio Díaz) and the strange situations that occur in his home. After evading conviction for his role in the 1982-83 genocide of the native Mayans, Monteverde hopes to live out the rest of his days with nothing but undeserved tranquility. However, recent sightings and floodings, alongside the protests against his freedom, have caused the Monteverde home to slowly unravel, making for a chilling and noteworthy reimagination of Mexican folklore.
When Material and Spiritual Realities Collide for the Best
Based on Mexican folklore surrounding a vengeful spirit with an affinity for water, the story of La Llorona not only offered parents a tale to help dissuade children from wandering into the water but has become a defining symbol of various Mesoamerican cultures. The 2019 Guatemalan film named after the titular spirit combines a genuinely terrifying tale of revenge, with a deeper reflection on a greater, closer horror. Both folktales and propaganda leave the lips of leaders and civilians alike, inspiring some while instilling fears in others. La Llorona remains astounding for its particularly evocative examination of both by way of culture and politics.
6 His House (2020)
His House sees Wunmi Mosaku, Sope Dirisu and Matt Smith starring in a moving piece about a South Sudanese couple that comes to face with even more terror following their relocation to a seemingly quaint, English apartment. Bol (Dirisu) and Rial (Mosaku), alongside their daughter Nyagak (Malaika Abigaba), try to cling to the bitter stability that their refuge in England offers. However, the many faces of racism and xenophobia grin and take pleasure in dehumanizing the family. To make matters worse, the trio are taunted by a nefarious presence that threatens to leave them all unraveled.
A Harrowing Story of Migration
His House, much like the best horror, uses the unknown and the paranormal to illustrate tangible fears held by characters and viewers alike. Through the inclusion of the "apeth," a "night witch" from South Sudanese mythology, His House submerges audiences into a similar terror experienced by those fleeing calamities occurring in their communities.
5 Juju Stories (2021)
Netflix's Juju Stories presents audiences with three distinct Nigerian folktales. Penned by C.J. Obasi, Abba Makama, and Michael Omonua respectively, the film explores moments of greed and obsession, and the after effects. Between a random man's seemingly lucky earnings to a college student's sly attempts at seduction, the anthology offers a wide array of interactions with the paranormal that are both unique to the various cultures within Nigeria and universal to human understandings of envy, possession, and desire.
A Victorious Venture Into Magical Realism
Juju Stories was named one of the best African Films of 2021, and it's quite understandable to see why after diving into these tales. Breaking away from traditional Nollywood tropes, Juju Stories does not wholly operate as a cautionary tale but, more so, allows audiences to take a closer look at the variety of Nigerian belief systems. Shying away from appealing to global audiences, Juju Stories carries itself with a refreshing tact that only strengthens the balance between allusions to the countless folktales found in the country and the contemporary conditions of Nigerians.
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4 The Ritual (2017)
The Ritual sees Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier, and Sam Troughton portray a group of friends who travel into the dense Swedish wilderness, where they come across a bone-chilling presence. Enjoying their company at a pub, the friends end the night in tragedy after robbers get the best of them. Six months later, the remaining friends decide to go on a hiking trip in Sweden to commemorate the fateful night. Nevertheless, the group find dismembered animals, creepy symbols carved into trees, and a dark, towering figure that evidently has plans for its guests.
A Dark Venture Into the Spiritual
In this Norse mythology-inspired horror, lore and terror intertwine, creating a captivating glimpse into paranoia as themes of trust, grief, and fear take center stage. Between the friends in-fighting, as well as the looming threat of the unknown, The Ritual makes use of typical horror tropes. However, the inclusion of jötunns and the consequential lore that ties spirituality with the discord of their trip, makes for a naturally gripping delight.
3 Pink Narcissus (1971)
Pink Narcissus is a vivid gaze into the dreams of the titular protagonist, a gay male sex worker portrayed by Bobby Kendall. The James Bidgood film follows the single focus on story as he reimagines himself as different archetypes throughout history, fulfilling different carnal fantasies. Between epic depictions of harems, Roman nobility, and matadors, Pink Narcissus is an exercise in escapism that decenters the status quo and offers a light, warm imagination of something much more profound.
A Mirror In Possibilities New and Old
At face value, the connection to the Greek myth may lie in name only. However, when following the enigmatic protagonist through his daydreams, it is hard to look past his self-admiration. Quickly ascending into infatuation, the film also highlights the pervasive queerness that exists throughout history, one that has been erased due to centuries of religious persecution, imperialism, and pseudoscience.
Aside from its obviously stunning visuals and cinematography, Pink Narcissus has been embraced as a camp classic for its stellar direction. Making a threatening pool of homophobia, like New York of the 1970s, into a bright, evocative, and more importantly, gay dream world both directly challenges contemporary homophobia while also disrupting age-old myths, interestingly enough, by relying on a notable myth.
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2 Black Orpheus (1959)
Black Orpheus (Portuguese: Orfeu Negro) sees the worlds of romance and tragedy collide and creates a sublime look into the people and cultures that define the notable Brazilian celebration, Carnival. A new arrival, Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn), explores Rio de Janeiro with Orfeu (Breno Mello), who is due to be married to a woman named Mira (Lourdes de Oliveira), despite his lack of interest. Orfeu and Eurydice soon fall in love, and in the midst of their passionate affair, the couple evade accountability, and worse, from Mira, and a skeletal figure (Adhemar da Silva) with a unique interest in Eurydice.
An Inventive Adaptation
Black Orpheus was a watershed moment following its release, heightening visibility for Black Brazilians while masterfully adapting the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus for a contemporary audience. The film also inspired critiques about the fetishization of Brazilians, while also playing into existing stereotypes of black people as overtly-sexual, simple-minded muses primed for performance. Nevertheless, the progression of Orpheus and Eurydice's romance, as well as the visually appealing cinematography would go on to inspire the likes of President Barack Obama, director Bong Joon-ho, and Canadian rock band Arcade Fire.
1 Achoura (2018)
Achoura sees Moroccan and French creatives collaborate on a mystery surrounding a nefarious entity that delights in devouring children. One fateful day, a group of childhood friends enjoy a rather innocuous time together when they are attacked by a monstrous jinn, who claims one of the five friends. More than two decades later, the four remaining friends reunite with their missing peer, the latter of whom arrives with harrowing information.
A Two-Decade Struggle for Stability
Described as Morocco's first fantasy film, Achoura moved audiences and critics alike for its sorrowful portrayal of the erosion of childhood innocence. With a notable bleakness surrounding the friend group's ordeal, Achoura expertly captures the fear of both supernatural and mortal enemies, culminating in an intense, disorienting, and ultimately compelling encounter between the human protagonists and the ghastly jinn.
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