‘The Morrigan’ Awakens Celtic Folklore Terror on Digital Screens

Celtic mythology has long provided fertile ground for horror filmmakers, but few figures from Irish folklore carry the ominous reputation of The Morrigan. Associated with war, fate and death, the legendary shapeshifting goddess now takes centre stage in The Morrigan, a supernatural thriller arriving on digital platforms across the UK and Ireland later this month.

Released by Thunderbird Releasing on 29 June, the film marks the feature debut of writer-director Colum Eastwood’s award-winning short film concept, expanding it into a folklore-driven horror story rooted in ancient Irish history and contemporary family conflict. The project first premiered at the Galway Film Festival before beginning its wider rollout.

At the heart of the film is archaeologist Rachel, played by Saffron Burrows, whose excavation of a centuries-old tomb unleashes a force that has remained hidden for generations. What begins as an academic discovery quickly spirals into a desperate struggle when her teenage daughter becomes the target of a vengeful Pagan war goddess. Faced with a threat that defies rational explanation, Rachel must confront both the supernatural entity she has awakened and the fractured relationship with her child.

Burrows leads a cast that also includes Toby Stephens, James Cosmo, Emily Flain, Art Parkinson and Antonia Campbell-Hughes. For horror audiences, the casting brings together performers with experience across genre cinema, television and historical drama, lending additional weight to a story that moves between ancient mythology and present-day terror.

Eastwood, who was recognised as one of Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow in 2020, has steadily built a reputation through projects including Black Medicine. With The Morrigan, he turns his attention to folk horror, drawing heavily from Irish legend and landscape. Much of the film was shot on location in Northern Ireland, and the rugged countryside becomes a significant presence throughout. The opening sequence, set in Pagan Ireland, establishes that connection early and, from there, the film rarely strays far from its folkloric roots.

There is something interesting about the timing of the release, too. Irish horror has enjoyed a strong international profile over the last decade through films such as The Hole in the Ground and The Hallow, while more recent successes have shown continued appetite for stories grounded in regional folklore. Whether The Morrigan joins that conversation remains to be seen, but its commitment to mythological source material is clear.

The Morrigan will be available on digital platforms throughout the UK and Ireland from 29 June 2026 via Thunderbird Releasing. Viewers can watch the official trailer now ahead of its release later this month.

The Morrigan trailer