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The Witch

Original title: The VVitch: A New-England Folktale
  • 2015
  • R
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
333K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
618
14
The Witch (2015)
Director Robert Eggers gives IMDb exclusive commentary about the trailer for his latest film, 'The Witch.'
Play trailer2:39
15 Videos
99+ Photos
Dark FantasyFolk HorrorPeriod DramaSupernatural HorrorWitch HorrorDramaFantasyHorrorMysteryThriller

An isolated Puritan family in 1630s New England comes unraveled by the forces of witchcraft and possession.An isolated Puritan family in 1630s New England comes unraveled by the forces of witchcraft and possession.An isolated Puritan family in 1630s New England comes unraveled by the forces of witchcraft and possession.

  • Director
    • Robert Eggers
  • Writer
    • Robert Eggers
  • Stars
    • Anya Taylor-Joy
    • Ralph Ineson
    • Kate Dickie
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    333K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    618
    14
    • Director
      • Robert Eggers
    • Writer
      • Robert Eggers
    • Stars
      • Anya Taylor-Joy
      • Ralph Ineson
      • Kate Dickie
    • 1.4KUser reviews
    • 597Critic reviews
    • 84Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 43 wins & 72 nominations total

    Videos15

    Trailer Commentary: Robert Eggers, Director of  'The Witch'
    Trailer 2:39
    Trailer Commentary: Robert Eggers, Director of 'The Witch'
    Trailer #2
    Trailer 1:23
    Trailer #2
    Trailer #2
    Trailer 1:23
    Trailer #2
    The Witch | Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:31
    The Witch | Official Trailer
    Anya Taylor Joy's Best IMDb Interviews
    Clip 1:38
    Anya Taylor Joy's Best IMDb Interviews
    The Rise of Anya Taylor-Joy
    Clip 3:47
    The Rise of Anya Taylor-Joy
    The Witch
    Clip 0:43
    The Witch

    Photos146

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    + 140
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    Top cast36

    Edit
    Anya Taylor-Joy
    Anya Taylor-Joy
    • Thomasin
    Ralph Ineson
    Ralph Ineson
    • William
    Kate Dickie
    Kate Dickie
    • Katherine
    Julian Richings
    Julian Richings
    • Governor
    Harvey Scrimshaw
    Harvey Scrimshaw
    • Caleb
    Ellie Grainger
    • Mercy
    Lucas Dawson
    • Jonas
    Bathsheba Garnett
    Bathsheba Garnett
    • The Witch
    Sarah Stephens
    Sarah Stephens
    • The Witch, Young
    Daniel Malik
    Daniel Malik
    • Black Phillip
    • (as Wahab Chaudhry)
    Axtun Henry Dube
    • Samuel
    Athan Conrad Dube
    • Samuel
    Viv Moore
    • Lead Coven Witch
    • (as Vivien Moore)
    Karen Kaeja
    • Coven Witch
    Brandy Leary
    • Coven Witch
    R. Hope Terry
    • Coven Witch
    Carrie Eklund
    • Coven Witch
    Madlen Sopadzhiyan
    • Coven Witch
    • Director
      • Robert Eggers
    • Writer
      • Robert Eggers
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1.4K

    7.0333.1K
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    Featured reviews

    8avdropm-944-921852

    Summary:

    This is a story set in the early colonial period of New England. It has the authenticity of a well-researched historical drama, up to and including dialogue delivered in a period accent and vocabulary (softened a bit so that it's easy to understand). Instead of drawing on historical events, though, it draws on historical folklore -- it's the story of witchcraft afflicting a family, such as might have been told at the time.

    The characters are a very believable, ordinary family, with the sorts of tensions and problems you'd expect from people living a hard and substantially isolated life after being exiled from the local colonial town. They also have period Calvinist attitudes, and the storytelling doesn't present an outsider's view of this or offer a modern commentary, but instead it just displays these attitudes and tells a story from the characters' standpoint.

    Their reliance on period folklore means that it doesn't strictly follow modern horror movie tropes, either. It has the slow build of a modern psychological horror/thriller as well as the standard formula where tragedies start from tragic flaws, but the traditions it's drawing on depend on a Calvinist's conception of flaws, and treat witchcraft as a horrible, well-understood occurrence rather than a shocking supernatural surprise. This story applies these perspectives.

    It's very well done in terms of writing, acting, and other aspects of execution, so it might have cross-over appeal to fans of horror, folklore, or straight period drama from colonial America.
    7ThomasDrufke

    Dark, Twisted, and Haunting Imagery

    When you leave the theater in stunned silence, I think the film did its job. The Witch is the next low budget horror film to reach the theaters this year, and it's easily the best. The film rarely ever relies on jump scares to get your head spinning as the core of this film's brilliance lies with its haunting imagery and eerie score.

    It's hard for an audience of this day and age to get into a period piece set in the 17th century without any big name actors or action elements. And I have to admit that I wasn't sure I wanted to see a film like this, especially with its horror elements. But my eyes were pealed from beginning to end. I wouldn't say anything about the story shocked me or had me confused, but the imagery, score, and uncompromising nature to Robert Egger's direction left me breathless. Within 10 minutes I was looking at the screen and whispering to myself "why would you go there?", "Don't do that!", or "come on, really?". Not because I thought it was poor story- telling, but because I was so invested as to what these characters were doing.

    With that said, I don't think this film is for everyone. It's brutal, harshly relentless, and utterly disturbing. The characters use all 17th century dialogue and the cinematography sets this grey and ominous tone. The imagery from beginning to end will stick in your head as it has done with me. But that's the way horror films should be. I wouldn't say it's more a psychological thriller because there are plenty of terrifying moments, but it is more for the 'Under the Skin' crowd than it is for people who love 'The Conjuring'. Even in its harsh moments, I was always invested and I can't deny the quality of the writing, directing, and acting all around. This is how you make a horror film.

    +Terrifying imagery

    +Egger's direction

    +Invested from beginning to end

    -Sometimes the dialogue is difficult to follow

    7.6/10
    6oksanasinner

    Original but overrated

    I first heard about this film on youtube. It would often pop up in reviews and top lists. I recommend you not to believe the hype and watch the movie with an open mind. Otherwise you risk being disappointed like I was.

    The source material for this movie is amazing. Folktales are a horror goldmine and it's a shame you don't see it being used so often. The movie draws you in with it's original concept and stetting.

    The approach to horror itself is very unorthodox in the sense that most horror movies nowadays rely on obscurity or grotesque visuals. This movie shows horror in broad daylight, the camera is steady, there are no monsters, no gore. So what good is it? - Realism. Especially in the supernatural scenes. The rawness of theses scenes is the best part. You're always asking yourself 'is this superstition or is this real?' and 'who is the real villain?'. Of course that's until the charm is ruined by the bullshit ending where those questions are answered in the worst way possible. If they left room for speculation and stuck to the subtle approach I would've given this film a 6 or a 7.

    'The Witch' had some good ideas but it's far from perfect. I feel sorry for people who claim that this movie is some 'masterpiece'. Apparently they've been watching only shitty movies this whole time. The cinematography was dry and even felt effortless. I liked the composition in only one shot: the dinner prayer. The picture lacks tonal contrast to compensate the lack of color. It just fails at grasping your attention. Only parts where the dryness benefits the movie are the horror scenes, all the other shots are just tedious and repetitive. Sorry, but it needs to have style or at least some visual value before it can qualify as a 'masterpiece'.

    The actors did a great job. My favorite was Kate Dickie as Katherine who I think came off as more threatening then the actual witch.

    You can tell that 'The Witch' was heavily inspired by Stanley Kubrick's work (sadly Eggers doesn't take notes from his shot composition though). Not only has it similar motives to 'The Shining' but also a soundtrack that resembles Ligeti's 'Requiem' form '2001 Space Odyssey'.
    8rd_pires

    Great Atmosphere, Great Sound, Different Kind of Movie

    I found "The Witch" to be a generally unnerving film, and one which--though I would not place it in the pantheon of scariest flicks I've ever seen--had some moments that I'll not easily forget.

    The atmosphere Eggers creates alone is enough to wrench serious dread from scenes other directors would be otherwise unable to make even remarkable. The score, too, helps cull this dark tone and adds life to a film that can be borderline tedious.

    That being said, "The Witch" is not for everyone. It is strange, slow but steady, gruesome at points, and almost un-watchable at others. There are two sides to this film; one which I had hoped the director would stick to concerning the family and their struggle with religion and isolation; and another which plays as an undercurrent to most of the film and then takes charge in the end. Sadly, it is this second side which keeps me from giving the film a better score, and that ultimately hurts the film in the very final scene.

    Overall, I enjoyed "The Witch" and its originality. Eggers has achieved a film that, for all its low-budget and independent film background, feels richer and better made than many horror entries of late. Should you decide to see it, a word of caution: do not expect a fast-paced movie full of jump scares and creepy crawlies emerging left and right. As the opening credits remind the audience, this is a folktale. One that does not shy away from exploring the real dark places.
    7purrlgurrl

    Not at all what was expected.

    This is more of a historical psychological thriller than a Hollywood blood and guts horror film.

    The film is a loving and accurate recreation of Puritan New England in the 1600s with everything from the language to the sets being authentic to the period. That in and of itself makes it fascinating to watch. Having lived in Virginia, where the Jamestown Settlement and the 1600s sometimes can seem like they happened the day before yesterday, I especially enjoyed the film. The location, in Ontario, reminded me of rural Virginia in winter, which made me quite homesick. So the film might have affected me more than some other audience members.

    The Witch is a fascinating glimpse into Christianity as practiced by 17th century Puritans. Satan and Evil are almost tangible presences in the woods and wilderness of the New World, while God is a distant, cold, and demanding being who must be constantly begged for forgiveness and mercy, since all human thoughts, words, and deeds seem to be gravely sinful and offensive to his eyes.

    A family of seven (parents, four children, and an infant) are exiled from their plantation community for not adhering to the accepted interpretation of scripture. They build a farm at a distance from the plantation near a frightening wood. The farm is failing (the family won't have food to last the winter). Meanwhile, the infant has been snatched from the oldest daughter while in her care at the edge of the wood. From this point on the family either descends into madness or is destroyed by Satan in the form of a witch who lives nearby in the woods. How the family's disintegration is interpreted will depend on which century's point of view you choose to use.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The spelling of the title "The VVitch" is how the word was written in the story's period because the letter "W" was not yet in common use at the time.
    • Goofs
      One mistake in the dialogue is the incorrect usage of the personal pronouns "Thou" and "You." During the 17th century, "You" was reserved for formal situations, and when one was addressing someone of higher status/rank. "Thou," on the other hand, was used in personal/informal settings and between peers and close relations (similar to the French Tu vs. Vous). Throughout the film, the characters use thou and you interchangeably; however, a close-knit family such as theirs would not have likely addressed each other with the formal "You."
    • Quotes

      Thomasin: Black Phillip, I conjure thee to speak to me. Speak as thou dost speak to Jonas and Mercy. Dost thou understand my English tongue? Answer me.

      Black Phillip: What dost thou want?

      Thomasin: What canst thou give?

      Black Phillip: Wouldst thou like the taste of butter? A pretty dress? Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?

      Thomasin: Yes.

      Black Phillip: Wouldst thou like to see the world?

      Thomasin: What will you from me?

      Black Phillip: Dost thou see a book before thee?... Remove thy shift.

      Thomasin: I cannot write my name.

      Black Phillip: I will guide thy hand.

    • Connections
      Featured in Film '72: Episode #45.3 (2016)

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    Director Robert Eggers' Essential Watchlist

    Director Robert Eggers' Essential Watchlist

    Nosferatu director Robert Eggers recommends four of his all-time favorite films + one beloved TV series which he regularly returns to for inspiration and entertainment.
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    FAQ22

    • How long is The Witch?Powered by Alexa
    • During the exorcist scene, is it the boy talking or is it the witch?
    • What is The Witch and what is it about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 19, 2016 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Canada
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Site - A24
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La bruja
    • Filming locations
      • Kiosk, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Parts and Labor
      • RT Features
      • Rooks Nest Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,138,705
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,800,230
      • Feb 21, 2016
    • Gross worldwide
      • $40,423,945
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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