7 Fungal Horrors To Watch After ‘The Last Of Us’
Ygraine Hackett-Cantabrana
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With the increasing popularity of HBO’s television adaptation of the video game The Last Of Us, fungal horror is being brought to the forefront of popular culture. The fungal infection ravaging humans in The Last Of Us is based on Cordyceps, a parasitoid fungus that attaches itself to an insect host, resulting in its death by replacing the host tissue. Once the host dies, the fungus erupts, spreading more infectious spores to other insects. If this isn’t the stuff of horror, then what is?
Here are seven horror films containing enough monstrous mushrooms and frightening fungi to make you reconsider adding truffle shavings to your pasta.
Amanita Pestilens (1963), dir. René Bonnière
A Canadian-American psychological horror, Amanita Pestilens centers around a homeowner, played by Jacques Labrecque, who becomes obsessed with his award-winning lawn once it becomes infested by the titular fictional fungal species. With his ever-increasing preoccupation comes dangerous consequences which affect both his family life and his standings within his own neighborhood. One of the very first Canadian films to be produced in color and bilingually, Amanita Pestilens’ fungal content is based on the real fungus genus of Amanita, the iconic and highly poisonous red toadstool with white spots.
Matango (1963), dir. Ishirō Honda
Based on William Hope Hodgson’s short story The Voice In The Night, Japanese horror Matango focuses on a yacht containing passengers and crew that capsizes during a ferocious storm. From there, the survivors are then stranded on a deserted island. After some of the group eat highly addictive mushrooms found growing on the island, they begin to turn into monstrous mushroom creatures. Controversial due to its injury depictions thought to resemble victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, Matanga is a cautionary tale of the addictive and devastating nature of drugs.
Shrooms (2007), dir. Paddy Breathnach
Shrooms is an Irish horror film that follows a group of American students searching for magic mushrooms along with their English guide. Whilst consuming the mushrooms near an old abandoned children’s home, the group soon becomes the target of a serial killer who begins to kill them off one by one. Magic mushrooms, aka Psilocybin Mushrooms, are known for their psychedelic properties that can induce hallucinations and altered perceptions of time and space.
The Hallow (2015), dir. Corin Hardy
The Hallow is a woodland set horror directed by Corin Hardy (The Nun). A conservationist moves his family to an isolated forest in rural Ireland to study its unusual fungal ecosystem. He soon discovers the fungus can infect animals, vehicles, and even humans. He then realizes it’s most likely connected to the local folklore of the faeries, banshees, and changelings. A mix of CGI and practical effects by SFX artist John Nolan, The Hallow is an eco-body horror doused in fairytale darkness.
The Girl With All The Gifts (2016), dir. Colm McCarthy
Based on the 2014 novel of the same name by M.R Carey, The Girl With All The Gifts is set in the devastating aftermath of a fungal infection that wiped out the majority of the human race. Children who are born with the infection, however, develop a symbiotic relationship with the fungus. Basically, despite still having the basic carnal instincts of a zombie, they can also think and learn. One such child is Melanie (Sennia Nanua) who is intrinsic to the discovery of a cure for the “Hungries”.
In The Earth (2021), dir. Ben Wheatley
Written and directed by Ben Wheatley (Kill List, A Field In England), In The Earth is an eco-folk-sci-fi horror assault on all the senses. Joel Fry stars as scientist Martin who is sent to an outpost in a highly fertile woodland whilst a pandemic is occurring in the wider world. With his park guide Alma (Ellora Torchia), they head towards the research camp of elusive scientist Olivia Wendle (Hayley Squires). There she is studying the phenomenon of mycorrhiza, where a plant and a fungus develop a close symbiotic relationship. However, the fungal spores in question cause those who inhale them to be subjected to terrifying sensory alterations. Martin and Alma soon learn the forest is harboring many nightmarish dangers.
Gaia (2021), dir. Jaco Bouwer
The South African eco-horror Gaia, named after the Greek deity and personification of the Earth, depicts forestry service worker Gabi (Monique Rockman) who comes into contact with fanatical survivalist Barend (Carel Nel) and his son Stefan (Alex Van Dyk). She rapidly becomes privy to their bizarre and unnerving religion. She then quickly realizes that the forest houses strange fungal forces beyond her understanding. As Gabi becomes infected by her sporous environment, she soon sprouts fungus through her skin. That only is proof of Gaia’s visual prowess, portraying the reclamation of humankind by Mother Nature herself.
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