Unwelcome, Folk Horror With Goblins

Fables about goblins are generally stories that explain just how low-brow these mythical creatures are. They are known to be pranksters and readily opportunistic towards strangers who dare enter their territory. Unwelcome stretches their treachery towards everything evil we know about this tiny Red Cap breed of Powrie or Goblin. Not for a moment are we led to believe otherwise. Especially when these murderous creatures finally make an appearance about halfway through the film. But the violence executed by the goblins who by their very nature are malevolent can be similarly compared with their human counterparts. Maya and Jamie’s confrontational clash against malicious people is what lands them where they end up.

Unwelcome begins with Maya and Jamie. Happily on the receiving end, of a very welcome pregnancy. Ready to celebrate, Jamie heads to the local bottle shop for some nonalcoholic bubbles. As he leaves, feeling confident, he defends himself with some backchat towards a group of local youths. A small moment in time with dire consequences, they follow him home. After a brutal home invasion, the couple decides retreat is a necessary part of the healing process. They pack up for Ireland to take over some inherited property. An opportunity that seems too good to resist finds them in a pretty part of the locale. They have a more optimistic outlook and far less fear.

Folklore and Goblins

Immediately the pair are warned by Maeve, the caretaker of the home, about a small issue regarding their new lodgings. Just a little favor they need to keep in mind and stay on top of. Especially if they want to live happily ever after. Maeve tells Maya and Jamie that superstition runs deep here in Ireland. In the garden out the back, Maya and Jamie have to leave a tiny offering daily. This keeps the Red Cap goblins happy.

Despite feeling that Maeve might be having a bit of an older person’s joke with the married lovers, Maya and Jamie assure her they will complete this task. But the pair don’t take the chore very seriously. With each reminder, Maeve reminds them of the consequences. A price must be paid if these dwarves are not fed. An all-ensuing feeling of dread is washed over everything afterward. Coincidentally, they are in desperate need of renovations. They hire local tradespeople, who come in the form of a motley family. A feeling that something bad is going to happen is delivered promptly.

These particular Red Caps have plenty of lore and rules that govern their existence. Ultimately there are a lot of pivotal decisions that link back to their power over the lives of their custodians. But that doesn’t make it any less strange when it comes to the final quarter. Explaining the ending of Unwelcome is no easy task. But if you want a quick explanation of the end of Unwelcome, read from the Radio Times website.

Is Unwelcome a Good Movie?

Unwelcome is a strange but memorable horror movie. There is plenty of blood and murder. The puppets might just lead you to cast your mind back to shows like Fraggle Rock and the Muppets. If that’s what you’re into, Mother of Movies recommends you watch it as soon as possible.

UNWELCOME, released on Blu-ray^™ and DVD on May 9. Distributed from Well Go USA Entertainment. Jon Wright (Grabbers, Tormented) directs the film. It stars Hannah John-Kamen (Ant-Man), Douglas Booth (The Dirt), Colm Meaney (Con Air), and Kristian Nairn (“Game of Thrones”). The DVD also has bonus materials including a Behind-the-Scenes featurette. UNWELCOME is available to watch digitally now.

Unwelcome is rated

3 blood-soaked Smurf hats out of 5

For more folk horror, but without goblins, see the review for The Seeding 2024 and Moloch 2022. Mother of Movies has more information about Umwelcome where we ran an article about the trailer. There’s Something in the Barn has ferocious elves and Elves is a series on Netflix you might like.

Where to Watch Unwelcome

Unwelcome(2023) is streaming on: