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The Witch
2016 92 min Brazil, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America R 18+
★7.4
Horror
Director: Robert Eggers
Trailers
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Teaser
Teaser
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Description
In 1630, a farmer relocates his family to a remote plot of land on the edge of a forest where strange, unsettling things happen. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, each family member's faith, loyalty and love are tested in shocking ways.
Budget:
$4M
US Gross:
$25.14M
Worldwide:
$40.42M
Starring
Anya Taylor-Joy
Actor
Ralph Ineson
Actor
Kate Dickie
Actor
Awards
Sundance Film Festival 2015
— Directing Award (Drama)
Saturn Awards 2017
— Best Young Performer
Sundance Film Festival 2015
— Grand Jury Prize (Drama)
Saturn Awards 2017
— Best Horror Film
Key opinion
The Witch is widely praised for its meticulous historical reconstruction, oppressive atmosphere, and reliance on psychological dread rather than traditional jump scares. While it is celebrated as an exceptional piece of elevated horror by many, its slow-burn pacing and period-accurate dialogue divide audiences, with some finding the experience deeply immersive and others finding it tedious or inaccessible.
| Production | The film excels at creating an authentic 17th-century atmosphere through rigorous period detail, clothing, and the use of natural, candle-lit lighting. | |
| Acting | The cast delivers raw, convincing performances that anchor the family's descent into religious paranoia and isolation. | |
| Score | The score and sound design utilize unconventional techniques to build a sense of relentless, unnatural menace. | |
| Pacing | The reliance on slow-burn, contemplative storytelling rewards viewers seeking deep immersion, while others find the narrative pace sluggish and uneventful. | |
| Screenplay | The use of historically accurate, archaic dialogue is praised for its commitment to realism, yet it frequently acts as a barrier to audience comprehension and immersion. |