Witches are a stable on
the Halloween tradition. They’re instantly recognizable. Depending on what
generation or region you grew up in, everyone has their own view on what a
being under the influence of witchcraft is supposed to be. Of course, we’ve had
different kinds of witches exist in pop culture, especially in entertainment.
From the light hearted sitcoms like “Bewitched,” to aura of mystery (or lack
thereof) with “The Blair Witch Project,” and to the film that brings us to the
origins of witchery, in the form of Robert Eggers “The Witch.”
In 17th
century New England, a family leaves its church and plantation due to different
interpretations of the New Testament. After settling on a farm of their own,
the family’s newborn is taken from them by a witch, and a curse is bestowed
upon them.
Now let me be clear,
that this film isn’t going to be for everyone, and I can totally understand
why. The beginning is very slow, and it does take a while to get invested with
what’s happening on screen. Even I’ll admit, that I got a little sidetracked
with the beginning of this film when I first saw it. That, and with the
dialogue spoken like it was in that time period, it does take a while to
understand what they’re fully saying, without the use of subtitles. If you’re
unable to get past that, then I’m guaranteeing you’re going to hate this movie.
However, if you can
muster yourself past that point and feel invested, then you’re in for a treat. The
best way that I can describe “The Witch,” is that it’s a horror film that is
100% pure atmosphere. There is not a single jump scare or gory gesture in this film,
at all. Sure, there is some blood and murder, but not the extent of other
horror films these days. The scares in this film are attributed to that of
silent horror films, where the visuals are subdued and atmosphere are what is
supposed to scare the audience. The score composed by Mark Korven is equally as
haunting, adding more to chill that this film carries.
As for the cast, they
all managed to do exceptionally well. While it is hard to understand them, considering
the old English is vastly from what we communicate with today, I have to give
props to the actors who dedicated themselves to mastering the dialogue, to make
it truly feel like it was this time period. Not only that, but the dynamics
between this family, even before the witch makes her first strike, is deeply
haunting. A boy with lustful yearnings for his sister, twins talking with their
goat like it’s a chant, a mother slowly driven to madness, a father slipping
control over his family, and the daughter who may or may not be cursed.
As for the witch
herself, it is an unsettling sight when she pops up. However, unlike other
creatures, her appearance is kept to a minimum, so they don’t throw out there
as much would one expect. She appears about three different times in the movie,
and when she does, it gets really unsettling.
If you’re looking for a
film that brings witches back to their demonic roots, then this is the film I
would recommend to you. It may be a little rough to get settled into, but once
you’re in, there’s no turning back. If there’s a future in Robert Eggers
career, I hope he’ll bring on more horror such as this.
Rating: 9/10
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