The Halloween season is upon us If you like thrillers with a chilling atmosphere like I do, there is one movie you definitely don't want to miss This absolute masterpiece is currently available on Prime Video, but it won't be for much longer

Robin Hardy's “The Wicker Man” follows a skeptical police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl on a small Scottish island But he soon learns that the inhabitants are participating in a strange pagan ritual Although not a recent release (in fact, it is more than 50 years old), the psychological tension and pagan folklore make this genre stand out

Prime Video's ever-shifting entertainment library allows many great films to disappear unnoticed, but “The Wicker Man” deserves recognition; released in 1973 (not the awful 2006 remake), “The Wicker Man” is an everyday invites you into a world where everyday social norms are thrown out the window and old pagan traditions take center stage In a film of this type dealing with cults, the sheer amount of tension radiating from the screen will have you hiding behind your hands

Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward) receives a mysterious letter from a girl named Rowan (Jerry Cowper) who has gone missing on a remote island The letter leads Howie to the isolated Scottish island of Summer Isle to investigate Upon arrival, he is confronted with the peculiar customs and increasingly bizarre behavior of the islanders

This is definitely one of those picture-perfect films that makes you think everything is nice and peaceful But anyone who has seen “Midsomer” (an almost modern adaptation of the film) will know that its quaint charm is more sinister than anything else Beneath this surface lies a community so steeped in ancient pagan customs and rituals that being associated with a cult never ends well

At the center of this “picturesque” island is the head of the community, Lord Samarail (Christopher Lee) He is the driving force behind the island's pagan customs and rituals, but his sophisticated and charismatic personality makes one want to trust him There is a scene where he has a conversation with Howie about the island's beliefs, and although he is polite, you can tell something is off (his calm but intimidating personality reminds me of Hannibal Lecter)

Despite the strong acting and the disturbing island, there is something that makes the film work Early scenes, such as Howie's first encounter with the islanders and the strange rituals he witnesses, serve to fuel a sense of dread even when one feels safe In a film such as this one, the film is not

Of course, the slow pace of the first half of the film tests one's patience, and some viewers may be frustrated by this gradual development But this deliberate build-up is more than worth it when the final act (which, I won't spoil here, is really bleak) arrives You have to stick with the film just for the ending

If my praise of the film isn't enough, at least listen to the critics The Wicker Man has a high score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes (and an audience score as high as 82%)”

As the BBC's Jamie Russell says: “A film that will burn into your unconscious and give you nightmares for years to come” Meanwhile, Brian Bisesi of the Horror Movie Club Podcast summed up my thoughts on this dark horror thriller perfectly: the film Despite the lack of horror in the first two acts, The Wicker Man's success is largely due to the skillful performances of its well-written characters This makes the climax feel all the more powerful and worth the wait”

So if you haven't yet experienced the unsettling brilliance of “The Wicker Man,” now is the time With a September 29 release date from Prime Video, now is your last chance to see the most iconic and spellbinding thriller ever made

I don't care Check out the best thriller shows on Prime Video or stream horror movies on Netflix to get in the Halloween spirit

Stream “The Wicker Man” on Prime Video now