The Witch
Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson
Directed by Robert Eggers
Old school terror trumps jump-scares in Robert Eggers’ terrifying slowburn thriller The Witch. Set in 1630s New England, the story follows a banished family of Puritans who set up a small farm bordering a creepy forest. Soon after settling, their baby boy mysteriously disappears while in the care of eldest daughter Thomasin (Taylor-Joy), sparking suspicion that she may be involved in something sinister.
The acting is top-notch with strong veteran work from accomplished performers Ralph Ineson and Katie Dickie, while Anya Taylor-Joy’s scene-stealing ensures this will be her breakout role.
Rich in period detail, writer-director Robert Eggers went to great lengths to capture the authentic language of the era; this serves to both enhance and hurt the script. On the one hand, a sense of genuine realism permeates the plot but the dated dialogue can sometimes be downright confusing and tends to halt the tension.
The visuals, from cinematographer Jarin Blaschke, are hauntingly gorgeous, while Mark Korven’s musical score provides a truly chilling atmosphere. Unlike so many of today’s horror flicks, The Witch is not interested in found footage gimmicks or cheap thrills. The movie’s strengths lie in its emphasis on character and a story steeped in metaphor. Still, something about the film also seems lacking and unfocused as the methodical pacing becomes tedious and the simplistic plot keeps it from achieving a truly lasting impression.
Some graphic imagery and spine-tingling subject matter will frighten some viewers but The Witch’s quiet restraint will also frustratingly polarize many others.
