(Drivebycuriosity) - Witches and black magic caught the human imagination for centuries. The movie "The Witch: A New England Folk Tale" captures the myths and legends about the "evil witch in the wood" (imdb). The plot is set in New England in the 17th century. A family of puritans got evicted from their village and starts a new life in a remote place in the wilderness where they get into trouble with a witch (this is a spoiler free blog. You can find a synopsis here wikipedia).
Director Robert Eggert`s debut allows a glance into a very different and dark world. It is a world ruled by poverty, irrationality and superstition. Even that the film is just fantasy it looks almost authentic. The audience shares virtually the daily travails and fears of some involuntary eremites in an almost prehistoric world. The plot develops very slowly, horror & gore effects - and some erotic scenes - are set economically. The director is more interested in creating a mysterious and gloomy atmosphere than in cheap effects.
"The Witch" is strongly influenced by the Brothers Grimm´s fairy tales, which are sinister, violent and gory. The film also could be seen as an allegory for the religious hysteria & fanaticism of some American pioneers and a reminder to the fact that America was partly founded by religious mavericks who sought there freedom for their believes.
"The Witch is a promising debut and a solid historical horror movie.
Good review. I agree that the film looks very authentic. And the atmosphere is so creepy that the story didn't need jump scares.
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