Sometimes there are these movies you just know you’ll skip because it’s something you’ll probably won’t enjoy, but which later are suggested to you by so many people who you have to change your opinion and give them a chance. For me this was the case with this film, The Witch. And as this movie is labeled as a horror movie I wasn’t going to watch it (one of the few genres I don’t watch). But when I saw this title appear in various “best of 2016” top 10 lists and when someone asked me for a good horror movie I suggested this one, which forced me to give it a look as well when I received feedback from that person that it wasn’t very good. I felt a bit guilty for suggesting it. Was it really that bad?
1630, New England. Various families have left the United Kingdom in order to make a fresh start. That is also the case of the family in this movies, consisting of a father, mother and five children. They are forced to leave the community they are living with and have to live in a house of th edge of the forest. It is a tough existence where it is uncertain if the harvest will succeed or if they can find enough food. The children aren’t allowed to go into the woods, because it is unsafe. When unexpectedly one of the children disappears it puts a lot of pressure on this family. What has happened and who is responsible? As the situation slowly gets worse decisions are taken which will test everyone. Is there something supernatural present which is responsible for all the mysterious things happening?
This is the first movie by director/writer Robert Eggers and he immediately impresses. The language spoken is old English and the setting and wardrobe take you back into time. Thanks to a strong script you witness how the faith the family has in God is being tested and how that leads into a situation where trust in each other is becoming shaky. They start wondering if there isn’t a witch in the neighbourhood or worse, if one of the children has become one. With solid acting by the cast, including two young children, and a constant sense of tension and discomfort it is a film which manages to keep you on the edge of your seat. Some might find the film too slow or might expect a lot of jump scares, but this is the type of psychological horror which I can really appreciate. Which makes this a movie I still wholeheartedly would suggest to others.
Great review and a great film. Man this thing is creepy. You said it well – a constant sense of discomfort. Love it.
It surely is!