The Witch (2015) Review

The Witch is directed by Robert Eggars. It's his directorial debut. It's based on true recollections of people who have witnessed witchcraft and evil spirits in old England.

The film is about a puritan Christian family that encounters forces of evil and witchcraft in the foods near their farm. The story picks up when their baby suddenly disappears, and their daughter Thomasin is blamed for it. It evolves to discover a witch in the woods, who reappears later in the storyline. The characters all turn on each other at various points, and you see them all going through a steady mental and physical decline. Different elements are used to symbolize dark forces surrounding the family, like the rustle of leaves, the goat giving blood instead of milk, the male goat with the horns, and the rabbit who misses a bullet in the beginning.

Initially the film was a bit slow to me, but the metaphors and acting really held it together. The palette is dull and desaturated, and the film is shot really well with really unique compositions and sounds that pull you into the film and give it its dark eerie tone. Each character has some of their own issues going on; and it's interesting to see how they all interact with one another.

I think we were expecting a horror flick, with a few jump scares and extremely creepy characters, but it was more on the lines of a psychological thriller, which makes you feel uneasy and restless, rather than scared; and I think that's what Robert Eggars intended to do.

I'd give it a 7/10 for the unique storytelling and overall direction. I think what could have improved was the pace, but I probably feel that way because I'm used to watching films that have the three act structure and clichéd sounds and jump scares.

Would definitely recommend it; but keep your mind open!

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