Curtains Up on The Witch

A rare gem…that will scare you silly. The Witch is the best horror film I have seen in a long time.  You’ll never look at goats the same way again.

It is February and I have already seen one of the great films of the year. No, it’s not Deadpool.  Not to put down Deadpool, which is a fine fun film, but if you want great, watch The Witch.  This gem premiered at Sundance last year and won the well deserved director prize.  This is a true blue horror film. This is not the standard jump scare film that attracts young crowds. This one will creep under your skin and stay with you long after you leave the cinema. It rewards patience and the rewards come in spades.  And it all has to do with — not effects, no cats in garbage cans —  it is because of the atmosphere. The film drips this dark and queasy atmosphere of Colonial Americana.

Director Robert Eggers’ film follows an ultra religious puritan family who is cast out from their settlement and forced to live in the remote New England wilderness.  All seems well until their youngest child goes missing in front of Thomasin, their oldest daughter.  Strange events keep mounting that seem to be coming from the forest that boarders their property.  Thomasin is soon under suspicion from her family of being a witch.

This proves that Eggers is the real deal.  A production and costume designer now director, he worked with a limited budget,  used crafty editing, eerie sound effects and natural light to convey what is happening to this family.  He tightens the screws from the get go so that by the time the film ends, we are a basket of nerves. Praise to the young actress who pays Thomison, Anya Taylor-Joy.  I haven’t seen her in much but she is wonderful.  To take on such a difficult role is daunting and she handles it well. The whole family is made up of great character actors and actresses. Great faces that seem to match the period the film is set.  The results show when people take such care to make a film by casting well and using thoughtful and effective techniques. Watch it. But be sure to turn on the lights when you get home.