Review of The Witch (2016) by Rob M — 11 Jun 2016

To see witch horror films is rare for me. I don't like to give money to people who make horror movies about the witch craze-- the holocaust of women that killed about 70,000 people world wide (especially in southwestern Germany in the early modern era, as well as France, Scotland, and early America) and sadly is still doing so in some places, it's no laughing matter.

This film used the exact dialogue and plot points taken from written accusations against women, and it's pretty much EXACTLY what I came across writing my paper on witchcraft for grad school. The film works on two levels: first there is the descent into madness of a Puritan family in early America in the 1690's, and the slow build of terror as they realize evil has been living in their midst, the suspicions of each other, and a bit of gore, to the traditional witchy climax.

But wise viewers will see the second level as well: what there really is to fear is the unknown, growing up, developing sexuality (there are multiple hints at incest), jealousy (and hatred of mother for daughter), pride, and perhaps above all, religion itself that controls every aspect of the characters' lives until they can't see anything else.

See it, the message is fairly complex. It's creepy as hell, and a refreshing change from simple gore, zombies, etc. Only drawback is that the actors are hard to understand because they're copying genuine early American accents.