The Witch

Name: The Witch
Genre: Mystery, Horror
Released: February 19, 2016
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 84
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Harvey Scrimshaw, Julian Richings, Kate Dickie, Ralph Ineson

2016

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 46 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 1020 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 1020 Ratings

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The Witch

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Movie Details & Credits

A24 | Release Date: February 19, 2016 | R

Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Harvey Scrimshaw, Julian Richings, Kate Dickie, Ralph Ineson

Summary: New England, 1630. Upon threat of banishment by the church, an English farmer leaves his colonial plantation, relocating his wife and five children to a remote plot of land on the edge of an ominous forest - within which lurks an unknown evil. Strange and unsettling things begin to happen almost immediately - animals turn malevolent, cropsNew England, 1630. Upon threat of banishment by the church, an English farmer leaves his colonial plantation, relocating his wife and five children to a remote plot of land on the edge of an ominous forest - within which lurks an unknown evil. Strange and unsettling things begin to happen almost immediately - animals turn malevolent, crops fail, and one child disappears as another becomes seemingly possessed by an evil spirit. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, family members accuse teenage daughter Thomasin of witchcraft, charges she adamantly denies. As circumstances grow more treacherous, each family member's faith, loyalty and love become tested in shocking and unforgettable ways. [A24]… Expand

Director: Robert Eggers

Genre(s): Mystery, Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 92 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Joe Morgenstern

Feb 18, 2016

If the story’s psychodynamics are familiar, Mr. Eggers makes them seem newly discovered. The intensity of his writing and direction, as well as the eerie austerity of Jarin Blaschke’s cinematography, Craig Lathrop’s production design and Mark Korven’s music, all conspire to create a film of exceptional originality. Read full review

100

David Ehrlich

Jan 26, 2015

The Witch is one of the most genuinely unnerving horror films in recent memory because Eggers has the guts to earn your fear. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Feb 18, 2016

With a gentle rap-rapping, Mr. Eggers intensifies the shivers with art-film moves, genre shocks and an excellent cast that includes a progressively rowdy menagerie. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Feb 18, 2016

With incredible attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to the world he has created, Eggers slowly, surely builds tension until it's almost unbearable. And that's delightful, if you're a horror fan. It's a terrific film. Read full review

Empire Chris Hewitt (1)

Mar 7, 2016

A hugely assured debut, The Witch is a beautiful, bleak brainworm that will haunt you for days. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Feb 17, 2016

Steeped in bleak, ominous atmosphere and period-perfect costumes and design, this is one of those rare genre films that gets under your skin and stays there. Read full review

Ethan Sacks

Feb 17, 2016

Early on, it seems that The Witch is tapping a higher metaphor for coming of age...or religious intolerance...or man's uneasy balance with nature...or something. It doesn't take long into the film's hour and a half running time, however, to break that spell. Read full review

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User Reviews

j1train

Feb 20, 2016

A stunning, impressively acted period piece. Though it will surely bore those who also hated The Babadook and It Follows, The Witch is another example of what horror is capable of -- truly great, atmospheric filmmaking.What The Witch has that the other recent great horror flicks of recentA stunning, impressively acted period piece. Though it will surely bore those who also hated The Babadook and It Follows, The Witch is another example of what horror is capable of -- truly great, atmospheric filmmaking.What The Witch has that the other recent great horror flicks of recent years doesn't though is a completely satisfying, unambiguous conclusion that will be welcomed by viewers who aren't a fan of "artsy" horror. It's a gorgeous, masterfully edited and scored, shocking 90 minutes.… Expand

27 of 47 users found this helpful2720

DarkwingSchmuck

Mar 8, 2022

Writer/director Robert Eggers bursts onto the scene with the best horror film since Let the Right One In, while lead actress Anya Taylor-Joy cements herself as one of the top young actors to keep an eye on. Gorgeous, disturbing, and completely original, The Witch is a must-see for horror fanatics.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

JustinDrey

Feb 22, 2016

The Witch is a movie based in 1630's and as some would say a "horror movie". It wasnt so much scary as it was unsettling for me, which wasnt a problem its a very fresh movie putting itself away from all the horror's you find now. It was a very dark, slow, tense movie, so for all of youThe Witch is a movie based in 1630's and as some would say a "horror movie". It wasnt so much scary as it was unsettling for me, which wasnt a problem its a very fresh movie putting itself away from all the horror's you find now. It was a very dark, slow, tense movie, so for all of you wanting a very fast paced "jump scare around every corner" fest, you wont find that here. Thats not to say this movie wasnt scary it kept you on the edge of your seat but instead of you jumping out of it, its more you stay at the edge for the whole movie. The only major problem I had was the very Shakespeareish dialogue, but, that should not stop you from going to watch this as that is really just a personal problem rather then having to do with the movie itself, it was very true to the time it was based. If you are looking for a movie that has great acting, great story, great filming ( the locations are great), very well put together characters, and a good gruesome, unsettling movie this is one for you!… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

treki999

Feb 22, 2016

The movie was like the "The Visit" for me. Potentially a great movie but the writing or editing makes the storyline a little disjointed or swiss cheese like. I would wait for video or a cheap theatre. It was visually a great story and the actors were all good.

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

YetAnotherScott

Mar 13, 2016

Disappointing! The initial incident gets this off to a great start, and THEN....really nothing else brings back the anticipation I felt at the start. The possession scene was interesting and the twins were enjoyable. The acting of the children was not too bad. I guess my greatestDisappointing! The initial incident gets this off to a great start, and THEN....really nothing else brings back the anticipation I felt at the start. The possession scene was interesting and the twins were enjoyable. The acting of the children was not too bad. I guess my greatest disappointment is that there was so much that could have been done to make the movie good...or even great...but they failed to do it. They failed to take us there. They failed to make it worth the $8.50 one paid.

In a word, "meh".… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

kaorisan

Mar 12, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not a Horror imo. Loved the use of Old English but nothing about it was scary. I see some reviews say sense of dread etc, but I got none of that at all, I was very dissappointed, no insight into why he was banished and the ending, well, say no more… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

EpicSurvivor

Jun 2, 2020

This movie is straight trash and I love all kinds of horror films. But this movie is straight dumpster juice. Glad is only 1 and a half hours long. No clue how it gets so many positive reviews. Boring as hell, no plot, no depth, no story, its super lame.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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30	#30 Best Movie of 2016
13	#13 Most Discussed Movie of 2016
21	#21 Most Shared Movie of 2016