When William (Ralph Ineson) and his family got banished from the Puritan Plymouth Colony because of disputes over beliefs, they were forced to settle on a farm near the woods. Little do they know that they'll encounter forces of evil in that place that will tear their family apart.
It all started when baby Samuel abruptly disappeared while playing peekaboo with his sister, Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy). They all think that it was a witch that abducted him, but they don't really know for sure. The problems didn't stop there. Winter is coming, and they don't have enough food to survive the harsh weather. William and Katherine's (Kate Dickie) other son, Caleb (Harvey Scrimshaw), also got lost in the wood, and their prized Silver Cup disappeared.
Are these God's punishments for them? Or is there something malevolent in the woods that's haunting them?
Directed by Robert Eggers, "The Witch" is a film of layers and depths. It depicts a story that is deeply rooted in real life, a folktale that has been portrayed many times in films. What makes it different is how detailed the story and production design are. The language and the setting are enough to transport the audience to 1630s New England.
To add to that, it is a perfect film for an in-depth study on symbolisms and storytelling. The slow descent into madness and hysteria caused by depression and guilt, the subtle references to the seven deadly sins, and the big reveal at the end are all perfectly executed with careful and patient pacing.
Unlike horror movies such as "The Conjuring," "Annabelle," and "Insidious," "The Witch" is terrifying without jump scares. Eggers relied on storytelling and a musical score to scare the viewers. No gore or monsters, just the possibility that maybe there is someone out there in the woods. And that mystery is terrifying to think about.
To sum it up, "The Witch" exceeded expectations by not throwing everything at the audience. The restrain is amazing. It's a smart film that decided to focus on telling a story rather than scaring people.
5/5
