The Witch Movie Review

The Witch [The Witch: A New-England Folktale] (2015)

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Written by: Robert Eggers 
Directed by: Robert Eggers
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
A witch preys on a family in seventeenth century New England.

Verdict
This movie excels at creating a mood. This is understated to be sure, and while it's filled with small moments, it maintains an intensity. It goes to great lengths to recreate the 1600's very well which adds to the folk tale feel. This is a good movie, and great horror movie.
Watch It.

Review

Anya Taylor-Joy plays Thomasin

Based on America's first witch hysteria sixty two years before the Salem witch trials. This movie doesn't care that it lacks the big set pieces. It doesn't care that it uses outdated yet period appropriate language that sounds strange to viewers. This movie has a purpose and it executes it.

The soundtrack is incredibly unsettling. With nothing remotely scary on screen, the music has you ready to jump out of your seat. We know there is something in the woods, and the movie shows us a glimpse of that early on. This early glimpse creates a scenario where you're waiting for that jump scare. The movie lets you scare yourself. It makes a point to not so too much.

The movie centers on a family relocated to America from England. The parents are tough on their oldest daughter. I get why emotions are running high, and I won't spoil that, but it creates the a situation where we want the daughter to rebel against the oppression. Maybe that was the plan the witch had the entire time. Black Phillip is a great surprise character.

One of the best scenes is when the oldest son is in the woods. We know he's walking into a terrible situation, we know why he does it because the movie set it up, and the climax of the scene is subtle but perfect. This is underscored by the music.

This provides a glimpse of the mass hysteria that was the Salem Witch trials. Once you implant that idea, you can even turn on your children. This is understated, reserved, and perfect. The mood is intense. This has a singular focus unlike many movie. The creator had a single purpose and executed it.