From Folk Horror to Nihilist Western: Inside Athina Rachel Tsangari’s Mind-Bending ‘Harvest’

Right, let me tell you about the strangest film I’ve seen this year – and trust me, as someone who sat through all 12 hours of that experimental Lithuanian sheep-herding documentary last month, that’s saying something. Picture this: Caleb Landry Jones in a billowing blue cape, licking rocks for water and munching on moss like it’s a Pret sandwich. Welcome to ‘Harvest’, the latest mind-bender from Greek auteur Athina Rachel Tsangari that’s got critics proper divided and audiences scratching their heads in the best possible way.

When Folk Horror Gets a Progressive Rock Makeover

Remember when folk horror meant Christopher Lee singing in a garden and sacrificial maidens in white dresses? Well, chuck those preconceptions out the window. Tsangari’s taken the genre and given it a proper shake-up, throwing in Romanian prog rock that’ll have your nan’s garden gnomes headbanging. The film’s opening sequence alone – with its ASMR-level sound design capturing every rustle of wheat – feels like someone’s slipped something funky into your Earl Grey.

The Director’s Cut: Dealing with ‘Traumatic’ Reviews

“I call it a nihilist western,” Tsangari tells me, grinning like someone who knows they’ve created chaos and is chuffed about it. The reviews have been, in her words, “traumatic” – but isn’t that exactly what you’d expect from a film that refuses to color within the lines? Coming from the director who gave us ‘Attenberg’ and that bonkers BBC throuple drama ‘Trigonometry’, it’s clear she’s not about to start playing it safe now.

The Sound of Destruction: Romanian Rock Meets Greek Tragedy

Let’s talk about that soundtrack, shall we? While most folk horror films lean on creepy acoustic guitars and woodland ambience, Tsangari’s gone full prog rock. It’s like King Crimson decided to score ‘The Wicker Man’, and somehow, it absolutely bangs. The music kicks in just when you’ve adjusted to the hyper-detailed sound design of Jones’s cape swishing through the wheat – a proper sonic sucker punch that had me spilling my popcorn at the press screening.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About ‘Harvest’

Is ‘Harvest’ actually a horror film?

Yes and no. While it uses folk horror elements, Tsangari’s created something that defies easy categorisation. Think of it as a genre-fluid experience that’s as much about environmental destruction as it is about supernatural scares.

What’s the deal with the blue cape?

The cape serves multiple symbolic purposes, referencing everything from Greek togas to Japanese court dress. Plus, it looks properly cinematic when it’s catching the wind in those wheat field scenes.

Should I watch Tsangari’s other films first?

While not essential, checking out ‘Attenberg’ or ‘Chevalier’ will help you get a handle on her unique storytelling style. They’re like the starter pack for the full ‘Harvest’ experience.

The Verdict: A Beautiful Oddity for 2025

In a year when we’ve been bombarded with AI-generated content and cookie-cutter blockbusters, ‘Harvest’ feels like a gloriously human creation – weird moss-eating and all. Whether it leaves you buzzing or baffled (or both), you won’t see anything else quite like it in 2025. Drop your thoughts below – I’m properly curious to hear what you make of this wonderfully weird slice of cinema. Just don’t blame me if you never look at wheat fields the same way again!