The Wicker Man (1973) Horror Thriller Mystery Crime Musical

The Wicker Man (1973) Movie Release Dates / Movie Details

Updated: September 14, 2024

The Wicker Man Plot Synopsis:

On Sunday, April 29, 1973, Sergeant Neil Howie with the West Highland Constabulary flies solo to Summerisle off the coast of Scotland. He is there to follow up on a letter addressed specifically to him from an anonymous source on Summerisle reporting that a twelve year old girl who lives on the island, Rowan Morrison, the daughter of May Morrison, has long been missing. The correspondence includes a photograph of Rowan. Upon his arrival on Summerisle, Howie finds that the locals are a seemingly simple minded lot who provide little information beyond the fact that they know of no Rowan Morrison and do not know the girl in the photo. Mrs. Morrison admits to having a daughter, seven year old Myrtle, but no Rowan. As Howie speaks to more and more people, he begins to believe that Rowan does or did live on the island, but that the locals are hiding their knowledge of her. He also begins to see that the locals all have pagan beliefs, their "religion" which centers on procreation as the source of life. That procreation does not necessarily need to be within marriage, and openly flaunts the act of sex, both in private and in public. These beliefs do not sit well against Howie's strict Christian morals, he who regularly attends church, prays, and accepts communion. Everything that happens on the island seems to be dictated by Lord Summerisle, whose ancestors bought the island generations ago. Howie begins to believe that Rowan was murdered, she a sacrifice by the islanders to their higher power to ensure a bountiful apple crop - the main crop of the island - which did not materialize last season. With May Day approaching, Howie not only tries to find out if Rowan was indeed murdered/sacrificed, which includes trying to locate her body, but if there will be another sacrifice on this important day within the cycle of life.

Synopsis / Plot Summary: A police sergeant is sent to a Scottish island village in search of a missing girl whom the townsfolk claim never existed. Stranger still are the rites that take place there.

Tagline: From the writer of "Frenzy & Sleuth" Anthony Shaffer"s incredible occult thriller

Why Watch The Wicker Man

Oh, "The Wicker Man" from '73? That movie is a classic! It's this British horror film about a police officer, Sergeant Howie, who goes to this small island to investigate a missing girl. But the island and its people? Super weird. They've got all these strange rituals and a kind of creepy vibe.

What’s wild about "The Wicker Man" is how it builds this eerie feeling without being your typical horror movie. It’s more about this unsettling atmosphere and the odd stuff the islanders do. You’re sitting there, watching, and thinking, “What is going on?”

The lead, Edward Woodward, does a great job playing this straight-laced cop who’s just out of his depth. And then there’s Christopher Lee as Lord Summerisle. He’s kind of charming but also gives you the chills.

I think what makes "The Wicker Man" cool is that it’s really different from other horror movies. It's got this folklore and mystery feel to it, and the ending? Totally unexpected and kind of nuts.

If you're into horror films but want something that's not just jump scares and gore, "The Wicker Man" is a must-watch. It's got this creepy, ritualistic vibe and a story that’s really out there. Plus, it's just a neat look at how weird and spooky folklore can get!

The Wicker Man Movie Information:

What is The Wicker Man Streaming On?

Whistle (2025), Forgive Us All (2025), Hell House LLC: Lineage (2025), 28 Years Later: The Bone… (2026), 28 Years Later (2025), We Bury the Dead (2024), Strange Harvest: Occult Murder… (2024), Bring Her Back (2025), Parvulos (2024), and ZombieCON Vol. 1 (2024)

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(13) Movie Recommendations

Similar Movies to The Wicker Man (1973)(Click to Expand)

1. The Exorcist (1973) / (read The Exorcist (1973) review)
2. Halloween (1978) / (read Halloween (1978) review)
3. Rosemary's Baby (1968) / (read Rosemary's Baby (1968) review)
4. The Evil Dead (1981) / (read The Evil Dead (1981) review)
5. Carrie (1976) / (read Carrie (1976) review)
6. The Fly (1986) / (read The Fly (1986) review)
7. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre… / (read The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) review)
8. Night of the Living Dead… / (read Night of the Living Dead (1968) review)
9. The Omen (1976) / (read The Omen (1976) review)
10. Suspiria (1977) / (read Suspiria (1977) review)
11. Videodrome (1983) / (read Videodrome (1983) review)
12. The Wicker Man (2006) / (read The Wicker Man (2006) review)
13. Don't Look Now (1973) / (read Don't Look Now (1973) review)

The Wicker Man (1973) Cast (Click to Expand)

Fun Facts: 15 Real AGES of Cast

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