The Witch
Zeeneaste (Christian)

Review by Zeeneaste (Christian) Patron

The Witch

2015
★★★★½ Liked

Rewatched 07 Oct 2023

Peek-a-boo! Damn, does that scene escalate the film quickly - which is not what you might expect from such a slow-burn somber experience; especially not that early on. But there is the witch, conducting an unbelievably vile ritual. With that mystery out of the way, the audience can now concentrate fully on how the family gets deeper and deeper into their demise.

It is a fantastic film, but I had good reason not to rewatch it in six years. It's an exquisite bummer.

Cinematography, costume design, the staging of scenes, it is all so top-notch that it's almost depressing. How did a first time director create this!? What I really appreciate is that the people here feel well-rounded. Usually, I have a problem connecting with people in period pieces but here it works. Them out there trying to survive in the 17th century wilderness would be terrifying enough, they sure don't need any vvitches to spook things up.

I found myself constantly getting swept up in the palpable atmosphere, the minutia was a bit lost on me but I think that's okay with a moody film like this. For my taste, the film can be a bit too cold and distant towards its proceedings. Depending on your preferences, this could as well be an asset for your viewing experience.

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