Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Wicker Man

Play trailer Poster for The Wicker Man 1974 1h 42m Mystery & Thriller Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 69 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the report of a missing child. A conservative Christian, the policeman observes the residents' frivolous sexual displays and strange pagan rituals, particularly the temptations of Willow (Britt Ekland), daughter of the island magistrate, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). The more Sergeant Howie learns about the islanders' strange practices, the closer he gets to tracking down the missing child.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Wicker Man

The Wicker Man

What to Know

Critics Consensus

This intelligent horror film is subtle in its thrills and chills, with an ending that is both shocking and truly memorable.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More (69)
Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films The gothic ambiance and mood synonymous with the era's familiar tales of unholy menace is wholly absent. If there is evil here, it doesn't know it's evil. Rated: B- Oct 29, 2008 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Anthony Shaffer penned the screenplay which, for sheer imagination and near-terror, has seldom been equalled. Oct 7, 2008 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Robin Hardy's 1973 cult horror film passed through several distributors, several versions, and several bankruptcies, picking up a powerful reputation along the way. Oct 7, 2008 Full Review Bryce Hanson Horror Movie Talk This movie is a classic for a reason, it is very discombobulating, and you experience the confusion that Sergeant Howie does. Anyone with a conservative Christian upbringing might not have as extreme reaction to the Paganism as Howie... Rated: 10/10 Sep 18, 2025 Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Its unhinged absurdity lulls you into a false sense of safety, only to deliver a shocking conclusion while also offering a critique on misguided devotions. Rated: 5/5 Sep 11, 2025 Full Review Gayle Sequeira Inverse The Wicker Man remains an distinctively unnerving masterwork. Aug 26, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More (1000+)
chris m The irony of being moral. From the very first frame, ‘The Wicker Man’ captivates with cinematography that seems to whisper more than it shows: a delicate balance of composition, lighting, and, above all, color, turning every shot into a small visual enigma. It’s one of those films where every element works in harmony, without missteps, and that aesthetic unity becomes an essential part of the tension and unease that permeate the story. The plot, seemingly simple, slowly tangles itself into interconnected layers without ever losing clarity. As its synopsis suggests, the narrative guides the viewer toward a disturbing truth—achieved through a precise script and impeccable direction that sustain the unsettling tone from start to finish. Edward Woodward embodies the protagonist with firm character, presence, and charisma—exactly what a role of this magnitude demands. Christopher Lee, meanwhile, builds a character as psychologically disturbing as he is memorable: every gesture and line carries a restrained tension that never needs exaggeration to leave an impact. The community portrayed in the film is, in itself, a remarkable achievement: written and presented with meticulous care, its rituals and customs emerge naturally through different points in the narrative, reinforcing the psychological weight of the story. The film leaves a lasting impression—an ironic reflection on blind devotion and the need to believe in something greater than oneself, suggested with precision and without the need for explicit statements. Subtly, the film also raises the question of what it means to uphold a moral and ethical code in an environment that doesn’t share it. The protagonist acts with integrity and conviction, yet the story, in its characteristic irony, shows that even the firmest righteousness comes at a price—one that impacts the narrative without ever being overtly pointed out. The soundtrack accompanies and reinforces the atmosphere, unsettling as much as any plot twist. It’s no coincidence that contemporary filmmakers like Ari Aster have drawn inspiration from this work for their own explorations of folklore and horror, maintaining a remarkable parallel that speaks to its lasting influence. Ultimately, ‘The Wicker Man’ masterfully combines aesthetics, narrative, and psychological tension, becoming a classic that continues to surprise, disturb, and leave its mark long after the viewing experience. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/06/25 Full Review Charlie N. Absolutely brilliant. My top horror of all time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/31/25 Full Review Brian S A folk-horror masterpiece that blends pagan ritual, mystery, and dread into a slow-burn symphony of atmosphere — proof that terror can be spiritual, seductive, and profoundly unsettling all at once. Welcome, fool! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/27/25 Full Review Christian K I guess just a masterpiece. This is so mesmerizing in its design from start to finish. It's scary and filled with creepy dread without any direct horror scenes or designs. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/24/25 Full Review Audience Member Different plot but definately an inspiration for the movie Midsommar. Outsiders involving themselves with pagan death rituals despite having every opportunity to turn back at the beginning of the story. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/07/25 Full Review Zeferino P. There is something about movies that were made in the 70’s . A charming approach to storytelling and the way it is presented on screen feels dreamy. The music in this film helps pull you in and is very enchanting. I can see why some people would put thus in a top fifty movie list Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/02/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Wicker Man

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
The Wicker Tree 20% 10% The Wicker Tree Watchlist Psycho 40% 28% Psycho Watchlist She Creature 38% 43% She Creature Watchlist The Hole 53% 53% The Hole Watchlist The Blair Witch Project 86% 57% The Blair Witch Project Watchlist TRAILER for The Blair Witch Project Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the report of a missing child. A conservative Christian, the policeman observes the residents' frivolous sexual displays and strange pagan rituals, particularly the temptations of Willow (Britt Ekland), daughter of the island magistrate, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). The more Sergeant Howie learns about the islanders' strange practices, the closer he gets to tracking down the missing child.
Director
Robin Hardy
Producer
Peter Snell
Screenwriter
Anthony Shaffer
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
British Lion Film Corporation
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 7, 1974, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 7, 2023
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 6, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$61.8K
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Flat (1.85:1)
Most Popular at Home Now