The Witch (2015)
Winner of the Directing Award at Sundance 2015 for first-timer Robert Eggers, this atmospheric thriller follows a devout family living in the wilderness of 1630 New England (60 years before the Salem witch trials) who fall victim to paranoia and superstition. Stars Anya Taylor-Joy (Split, Thoroughbreds).
"A colonial family leaves plantation life and attempts to reap their harvest on a fledgling farm at the edge of an imposing ancient New England forest. Soon, superstition and dread set in as food grows scarce, a family member goes missing, and the children's play takes on a frenzied and menacing undercurrent. As they begin to turn on one another, the malevolent machinations of an ethereal presence from within the woods exacerbate the growing corruption of their own natures." (Sundance Film Festival)
- Director:
- Robert Eggers (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Robert Eggers
- Cast:
- Anya Taylor-JoyRalph InesonKate DickieJulian Richings
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressEggers makes an impressive feature debut with this gripping historical horror-thriller.
Total Film
pressRobert Eggers’ measured, meticulous debut builds into one of the most genuinely scary horror movies of recent years.
The Guardian
pressMay be too slow and verbose to be the next breakout horror hit, but its focus on themes over plot is what elevates it to something near greatness.
The Australian
pressThe little-known cast of British actors succeeds in convincingly portraying these threatened pilgrims who, while seeking out a new and better life, find themselves in the middle of an inexplicable nightmare.
Screen Daily
pressThe film's thematic shortcomings ultimately don't matter too much: When you're too busy being enraptured by The Witch's dark elegance, nitpicking doesn't really enter into the equation.
Hollywood Reporter
pressEggers creates a special feel and ambiance in his first feature after a couple of shorts.
Empire Magazine
pressA hugely assured debut, The Witch is a beautiful, bleak brainworm that will haunt you for days.
Definitely NOT your standard horror flic with floating sheets or flying broomstick effects.
The two most primal human emotions are love and fear which explains why ‘romance’ and ‘horror’ are two of the oldest genres in literature, theatre and film. The horror film The Witch (2015) belongs to an ancient line of storytelling about the unseen things that drive irrational fear. It’s a film with echoes of Arthur Miller’s iconic 1953 play and 1996 film...
Commands your attention
This is such a creepy movie but it is made so smartly and with great detail that you are compelled to watch closely yet cower all the way through. An ominous soundtrack and a talented cast (featuring Lysa Arryn/Kate Dickie of Game of Thrones fame as well as a solid SOLID hand from Ralph Ineson) make this one to remember. Guaranteed to spur God/Devil...
Not Impressed
Heard great things about The Witch prior to seeing. Had watched the trailer many times in excited glee before the screening. But eehhhh. Not scary and incredibly conventional. I kept waiting and waiting for it too get good ... then the credits starting rolling. The acting was well done as was the cinematography and costumes but the storyline was lacking...
The Witch
The Witch is a beautiful and disturbing horror film. Set in 1630s New England, about ugly, terrifying witches that live in the forest, and a family torn apart by the evil forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession. Excellent cinematography, incredible sound and music, amazing performances. Genuinely unnerving and creepy. If you love psychological...
The Witch is eerie and creepy and it's you should definitely check out
Set in 1630s New England, The Witch is a story about a family ex communicated from a Puritan settlement, in return forced to live in the wilderness and terrorized by possibly a Witch living near their home. Easily the creepiest movie and possibly the best horror movie to come out this year. The Witch is an incredibly unsettling experience. The sound is...
Variety
pressEggers makes an impressive feature debut with this gripping historical horror-thriller.
Total Film
pressRobert Eggers’ measured, meticulous debut builds into one of the most genuinely scary horror movies of recent years.
The Guardian
pressMay be too slow and verbose to be the next breakout horror hit, but its focus on themes over plot is what elevates it to something near greatness.
The Australian
pressThe little-known cast of British actors succeeds in convincingly portraying these threatened pilgrims who, while seeking out a new and better life, find themselves in the middle of an inexplicable nightmare.
Screen Daily
pressThe film's thematic shortcomings ultimately don't matter too much: When you're too busy being enraptured by The Witch's dark elegance, nitpicking doesn't really enter into the equation.
Hollywood Reporter
pressEggers creates a special feel and ambiance in his first feature after a couple of shorts.
Empire Magazine
pressA hugely assured debut, The Witch is a beautiful, bleak brainworm that will haunt you for days.
Definitely NOT your standard horror flic with floating sheets or flying broomstick effects.
The two most primal human emotions are love and fear which explains why ‘romance’ and ‘horror’ are two of the oldest genres in literature, theatre and film. The horror film The Witch (2015) belongs to an ancient line of storytelling about the unseen things that drive irrational fear. It’s a film with echoes of Arthur Miller’s iconic 1953 play and 1996...
Commands your attention
This is such a creepy movie but it is made so smartly and with great detail that you are compelled to watch closely yet cower all the way through. An ominous soundtrack and a talented cast (featuring Lysa Arryn/Kate Dickie of Game of Thrones fame as well as a solid SOLID hand from Ralph Ineson) make this one to remember. Guaranteed to spur God/Devil...
Not Impressed
Heard great things about The Witch prior to seeing. Had watched the trailer many times in excited glee before the screening. But eehhhh. Not scary and incredibly conventional. I kept waiting and waiting for it too get good ... then the credits starting rolling. The acting was well done as was the cinematography and costumes but the storyline was lacking...
The Witch
The Witch is a beautiful and disturbing horror film. Set in 1630s New England, about ugly, terrifying witches that live in the forest, and a family torn apart by the evil forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession. Excellent cinematography, incredible sound and music, amazing performances. Genuinely unnerving and creepy. If you love psychological...
The Witch is eerie and creepy and it's you should definitely check out
Set in 1630s New England, The Witch is a story about a family ex communicated from a Puritan settlement, in return forced to live in the wilderness and terrorized by possibly a Witch living near their home. Easily the creepiest movie and possibly the best horror movie to come out this year. The Witch is an incredibly unsettling experience. The sound is...
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