Review of The Witch (2016) by Clarky96 — 28 Feb 2016

The Witch didn't exactly terrify me, but that's okay because I don't think that was the point. The film is marketed as an incredibly disturbing horror film set in the 1600s, which kind of misrepresents it to some degree. If you go into this film expecting the next Exorcist, you will be truly disappointed because it's not exactly like. The Witch feels more like a period piece that's a historical commentary on religious hysteria and the dark side of witchcraft.

In The Witch, a Puritan family is banished to the edge of a large forest which happens to be home to a repulsive witch (my apologies to the actress playing her) and supernatural things begin to happen which tear the family apart. Eventually, everyone bar the main character Thomasin dies and then Thomasin makes a pact with Satan and joins the witches. An ending which has mystified and, strangely, angered many movie-goers. The ending is representative of Thomasin's desperation. If she didn't make the pact, her options were to risk going back to the plantation on foot, a journey that would take her several days on foot in addition to her possibly being tried as a witch if she was to explain the events that transpired on the farm. Or she could stay on the farm and starve to death. If I was in her shoes, I'd do the same thing.

The film, however, does have it's roots firmly planted in the horror genre despite this fact through its usage of truly disturbing imagery. Samuel being turned into "flying ointment" at the very beginning sets the bleak tone of film incredibly. The family gradually tearing itself apart is a consistent theme that is executed excellently during the films tight one hour and thirty minute run-time. Other events such as Caleb's seduction and subsequent possession in addition to the creepy twins being, well, creepy twins helps the film fulfill it's promises of being a horror movie. The use of lighting to conceal the witch is a brilliant touch, we never see her face in broad daylight except for one scene where she assumes a younger (and FAR better looking form) simply to seduce Caleb. In a scene where the witch appears at nighttime in the stables to startle the twins and Thomasin, her face is concealed by the shadows of night. This shot preys on our fear of the unknown and elevates the film into its status of critically acclaimed.

I feel like The Witch's biggest flaw is just how radical it is. This is definitely a film that the common moviegoer will not understand, hence why many reviewers have given it a low score. In addition to this, the marketing portrays the film as more grandiose than it is, confusing any audience members (like me) who followed the marketing. Overall, the film is great for what it is, but as stated before, don't raise the bar too high.