The Forbidden Lands – Movie Review (2/5)

THE FORBIDDEN LANDS is an Italian folk horror movie (org. title: Le Terre Incolte). I was surprised that it was more fantasy-laced than I expected, so that threw me off a little. However, I absolutely respected the choices and the use of practical effects. Read our The Forbidden Lands movie review here!

THE FORBIDDEN LANDS is a folk horror movie from Italy (org. title: Le Terre Incolte), which threw me for quite a loop. There were elements of it that worked really well, and then other parts that did not work for me at all.

As a result, I’m probably at around a 2½ out of 5, but I am ending on a 2 because I just wasn’t happy with the plot. Specifically, the storytelling needed a stronger sense of direction for me to be satisfied. That’s a personal preference, I recognize that, but here we are.

Continue reading our The Forbidden Lands movie review below.

Superstition in a village

The Forbidden Lands plays out in a small Italian town. When exactly is very difficult to say. The people in the village look like they could be living in two different centuries, if you go by their clothes or the tools they use for their work. Honestly, I never did feel certain whether this was an intentional choice or just the props that were available and/or looked good.

To me, this breaks the illusion very early on, and that is never to the advantage of the movie or story.

Very quickly, it becomes a story of superstition in the Italian village, and I can relate to that. Fear spreads like wildfire after several mysterious deaths in the nearby forest. The villagers are quick to label a young woman as a witch and blame her. Then two strange men arrive, claiming to be messengers of the Lord, and the townspeople see them as saviors.

Classic, right? Blame the strange woman, believe the unknown men.

Fantasy Folk Horror from Italy

Of course, not everyone trusts the men, and women will end up being the saviors in many ways. It begins with one woman, who joins forces with a free-spirited girl and an outcast accused of witchcraft (yep, the “witch”), and together they focus on finding answers instead of making strange offerings to strangers claiming to be sent by God.

Admittedly, The Forbidden Lands was challenged by the previous Italian genre movie I watched. It was called The Holy Boy, and I absolutely loved it. While I recognize this one is very different, I was hoping it would surprise me in positive ways too, and it could not live up to that great expectation.

Mostly, the fantasy elements, which included numerous gorgeous practical effects (always points for that), were not my favorite.

The core plot was very intriguing, but the storytelling itself did not work for me. From the acting to the pacing of it all, I was not a happy camper, so I struggled with that from the end of the first act.

The Forbidden Lands is screening at Film Festivals

Mattia De Pascali is the writer and director of The Forbidden Lands (org. title: Le Terre Incolte), and as an Italian independent filmmaker, he is working with a limited budget. I feel he gets a lot out of what he has to work with. For me, the quality of the production is impressive. The story itself, however, is not so much.

Having said that, I truly believe there’s a type of genre film fan that will adore its vibe. I mean, this could be a little cult picture for some genre fans, while others will end up like me: Strangely confused by the plot and not entirely sold on the acting or the choices in directing.

This genre hybrid of a movie recently premiered in the U.S. during the Los Angeles Fantasia Fest (on November 20, 2025). It was also nominated as one of the ten nominees for Best Horror / Thriller Feature Film. Also, it received an Honorable Mention from the Washington Underground Film Festival, so it’s just getting started.

The Forbidden Lands is screening at film festivals now, but it will be out on VOD (and physical media) later.

Details

Director: Mattia De Pascali
Writer: Mattia De Pascali
Stars: Andrea Cananiello, Denise Cimino, Fabrizio La Monica, Paola Medici, Ivan Raganato, Donatella Reverchon, Alessandro Stajano, Giorgio Recchia, Gianni Rizzo