Will Redcaps become St. Patrick’s Day’s newest horror hero?

Move over, leprechauns. The far darrig are here, which basically translates to “Red Man” in Irish. They’re a Little People type of faerie, or goblin, similar to leprechauns, except minus the pots of gold. They also sport different attire, including red coats and caps. Hence, why they’re called Redcaps in British and Scottish folklore as well. In Irish mythology, if you call for the Redcaps, they will come out and help you…but there’s always a price to pay.

Other than being small, their physical features differ from leprechauns, too. Redcaps have dark, hairy skin, pointy sharp teeth, protruding snouts, and tails, all of which combine to give them a rat-like appearance. These “beautiful” beasts are making their big screen debut in the creature feature Unwelcome. But will they unseat their better-known counterparts to claim the title of St. Patrick’s Day horror hero? Or can both share that distinction?

Let’s look at what Unwelcome is all about and the Redcaps’ role in it. Maybe we’ll find the answer that way.

About Unwelcome

A couple escapes their urban nightmare to the tranquility of rural Ireland only to hear stories of mysterious beings who live in the gnarled, ancient wood at the foot of their new garden. As warned by their new neighbors, in Irish lore the Redcaps will come when called to help souls in dire need of rescue, but it’s crucial to remember that there is always a dear price to pay for their aid.

Unwelcome stars Hannah John-Kamen (Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City) and Douglas Booth (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) as the couple who escape their urban nightmare to the tranquility of rural Ireland only to discover malevolent, murderous goblins lurking in their backyard.

Additional cast members include Golden Globe nominee Colm Meaney (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Jamie-Lee O’ Donnell (Derry Girls), Chris Walley (1917), and Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones).

Jon Wright directed the film, which is based on an original screenplay by Mark Stay.

Redcaps Aren’t Just for St. Patrick’s Day

Honestly, the only reason I’m associating Redcaps with St. Patrick’s Day at all is because Unwelcome is predominantly set in Ireland, and it releases in March, just in time for the holiday. That’s good enough, though, right?

But Unwelcome explores some themes that make it appropriate for other holiday horror movie viewing, specifically Mother’s Day. One of the movie’s themes is family, home, and feeling safe in your own space. The day that Maya and Jamie find out they’re pregnant, they become victims of a home invasion. Jamie just ran out to grab a little non-alcoholic bubbly to celebrate when some thugs followed him home.

Luckily Maya, Jamie, and the unborn baby survive the brutal attack. At least physically. Mentally and emotionally, Maya and Jamie confront aspects of themselves they didn’t know existed. In Jamie’s case, he battles feelings of failure since he could not prevent harm befalling his family, or protect his wife and child when they needed him to. Maya, on the other hand, realizes she was moments away from taking another man’s life.

That’s why it’s such a mixed blessing when Jamie’s Aunt Maeve dies right before the baby’s born and leaves them her country house. Jamie’s sad his aunt is gone, but that means they can move to a peaceful place with friendly neighbors. A safe place to bring a child into the world.

But they quickly realize there are a couple of catches. The first is when Maeve’s friend, who lets Jamie and Mayas into the house, explains about the blood offering they need to leave every night to keep the Redcaps happy. Which, of course, Maya and Jamie think is nuts. Redcaps are a myth. Folklore. They don’t exist.

The second is Daddy Whelan (Colm Meany) and his clan, who Maya and Jamie have hired to make repairs on the house. The Whelans have a bad rap amongst the townspeople for good reason, which Maya and Jamie quickly discover.

They also realize the Redcaps can help with the Whelan clan problem —all they need to do is ask. Something Maya doesn’t hesitate to do when her baby and family are threatened. As she says in the movie, “Don’t fuck with mama bear.” 

Especially not one who cares for Redcaps.

Unwelcome Trailer

For More Info

Unwelcome hits theaters on March 8 as part of the AMC Thrills & Chills lineup, and then debuts on digital on March 14.

More info can also be found by visiting https://wellgousa.com/films/unwelcome.

Check-In

Is there any horror movie you watch for St. Patrick’s Day, like Leprechaun or any of its sequels? Or are you too busy having fun at the pub? Or maybe running around pinching the party poopers who don’t wear green?