Read Mixed User Reviews for The Witch

6

ablaise82Aug 24, 2017

A snooze fest with no deep hidden meaning to make the incredibly drawn out pacing worth it. The old time dialogue only brings out the confusion this movie brings to the table, and between that and the nearly pitch black scenes, many parts ofA snooze fest with no deep hidden meaning to make the incredibly drawn out pacing worth it. The old time dialogue only brings out the confusion this movie brings to the table, and between that and the nearly pitch black scenes, many parts of this movie will leave you flat out boggled. Some good cinematography, acting, and surprising moments save this movie from being bad, but ultimately this one is a bore.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

All this user's reviews

5

Knux57Jul 1, 2017

Respectable acting, cinematography, and writing, but not much else. Anyone that says this movie is "terrifying" on any level is most likely a paid review. The movie wastes plenty of time giving you details about the family rather than tryingRespectable acting, cinematography, and writing, but not much else. Anyone that says this movie is "terrifying" on any level is most likely a paid review. The movie wastes plenty of time giving you details about the family rather than trying to scare you, although none of it feels like it was worth taking up 75% PERCENT of the movie's runtime. At best you could watch this movie as a mystery/drama. The fact that this movie is at all classified as horror is just asking for people to be disappointed.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

4

InfadizleMay 9, 2016

Long dragging, boring drama at best. The VVitch is not a horror film. I found the acting horrible at times. The plot is predictable and failed to build. The only positive about The VVitch is the cinematography. I found it to be more arty yetLong dragging, boring drama at best. The VVitch is not a horror film. I found the acting horrible at times. The plot is predictable and failed to build. The only positive about The VVitch is the cinematography. I found it to be more arty yet lacked when it comes to the writing and creating suspense. It just never leaved up to its potential.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

All this user's reviews

5

SuperstoneFeb 21, 2016

I was extremely let down by this movie. All the critic reviews claimed that it was terrifying and thought-provoking, but it is not. There are some beautiful scenes and some creepy images, but that seems to be all there is. The charactersI was extremely let down by this movie. All the critic reviews claimed that it was terrifying and thought-provoking, but it is not. There are some beautiful scenes and some creepy images, but that seems to be all there is. The characters in the movie don't react to anything, you never get the sense that the father is someone who would have been banished from a New England colony and they never go into why they are out there. The main characters are all well-acted, but since none of them have an arch, it doesn't matter. There's no story being driven forward by the characters, it's just things happening and aren't they scary? No. Not really. Even the one feeble jump scare that seemed to get everyone in the theater was ultimately made pointless by the reveal at the end. I was trying to think of why it was just not very satisfying and maybe I wasn't getting it (I'm sure "real" critics would argue that very idea), but after we left the theater, a girl walking nearby who had just seen it just said "that was the worst movie I've ever seen", and I started laughing because, yeah, I wanted to like it like the professional critics seem to, but I don't. It's not entertaining, it's not interesting, it's well-made like a stock photo is well-made. Parts seem to point to a whole, but there's no more to be had.… Expand

9 of 15 users found this helpful96

All this user's reviews

6

LBJ6Feb 21, 2016

I was expecting more from this film based on the critical acclaim it garnered but left the theater disappointed. The movie is definitely well-made and original but it seemed somewhat uninteresting. I thoroughly enjoyed the concept but feelI was expecting more from this film based on the critical acclaim it garnered but left the theater disappointed. The movie is definitely well-made and original but it seemed somewhat uninteresting. I thoroughly enjoyed the concept but feel the creators did not deliver a product that reached its full potential. Highly unsettling and disturbing throughout but just not very scary or interesting. 5.9/10.… Expand

9 of 16 users found this helpful97

All this user's reviews

4

VideoGameJunkieFeb 29, 2016

Evil Dead was an independent horror movie. The Witch is not. I knew nothing about this movie going into it except that it was a horror movie. It started out OK- excellent creepiness when The Witch of the Wood stole the baby, but that'sEvil Dead was an independent horror movie. The Witch is not. I knew nothing about this movie going into it except that it was a horror movie. It started out OK- excellent creepiness when The Witch of the Wood stole the baby, but that's where the horror ended. The rest was a drawn out "beautifully crafted" drama typical of independent movies- but the only thing I was scared of, was falling asleep. It appeared the cast and crew made a true effort to recreate the detail of the time period. The acting, costumes, set design were all good. The only reason I'm rating this movie as a disappointment is because it was sold as something else and didn't deliver.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

All this user's reviews

6

SergioVFeb 20, 2016

Eggers does a great job at setting up the scenes and transporting you back to the 1600's, the acting is wonderful, and the writing is truly authentic. However, that's where the praise ends. The movie itself was too slow, the dialogue was hardEggers does a great job at setting up the scenes and transporting you back to the 1600's, the acting is wonderful, and the writing is truly authentic. However, that's where the praise ends. The movie itself was too slow, the dialogue was hard to understand and keep up with, and the ending leaves major questions unanswered. 6/10.… Expand

5 of 12 users found this helpful57

All this user's reviews

6

jlplattenFeb 22, 2016

This movie is overrated by the critics. I do appreciate a horror movie done well, which this movie was. However, I left unsatisfied, mostly because there was no resolution between the witch and the family. It was mostly internal fightingThis movie is overrated by the critics. I do appreciate a horror movie done well, which this movie was. However, I left unsatisfied, mostly because there was no resolution between the witch and the family. It was mostly internal fighting among the family when the witch turns their world upside down. That wasn't interesting to me. I wanted the family to get revenge on the witch... not "this" ending.… Expand

4 of 11 users found this helpful47

All this user's reviews

6

TornadoCreatorApr 10, 2016

Marketing this film as a horror film was a major misstep and will likely account for much of the negativity this film received. It's actually a period drama/thriller that's very entrenched in the puritan movement to USA in the early 16thMarketing this film as a horror film was a major misstep and will likely account for much of the negativity this film received. It's actually a period drama/thriller that's very entrenched in the puritan movement to USA in the early 16th century. If this time period doesn't entice you, or you find it hard to relate to other cultures, you'll find the film thoroughly uninteresting. If however you can enjoy something a bit different, there's great acting, good tension, and some shocking scenes in this film that will mean it'll have some lasting value at least. It's not a bad film, far from it, it is however an acquired taste and won't be for everyone.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

All this user's reviews

4

Flange77Feb 23, 2016

Somebody knows and appreciates their History but skipped out on Horror 101. Rule #1: Don't show the creepiest/scariest/most shocking thing in the first 20 minutes of the movie or everything else won't seem as scary. Sure it was unsettlingSomebody knows and appreciates their History but skipped out on Horror 101. Rule #1: Don't show the creepiest/scariest/most shocking thing in the first 20 minutes of the movie or everything else won't seem as scary. Sure it was unsettling throughout, but because Rule #1 was violated, there is a gradual feeling of disappointment and diminished interest. There is an art or at least a formula to doling out scares in horror movies and The Witch doesn't abide by it, frustratingly suffering as a result. The story is painfully linear yet still confusing. I'll give it points for trying something new with the genre, but it could have been a lot better.… Expand

3 of 12 users found this helpful39

All this user's reviews

5

DukemangApr 2, 2016

To be honest, The Witch disappointed me a lot because critics before the movie came out were saying how much of a great horror movie this is, which it wasn't. You could say I'm being a bit harsh, but I can say that the director's vision andTo be honest, The Witch disappointed me a lot because critics before the movie came out were saying how much of a great horror movie this is, which it wasn't. You could say I'm being a bit harsh, but I can say that the director's vision and imagery for this film was great. The art style and language of the film really helped with it being in the 1600's, and that sadly doesn't do justice for me. Yes I may be a big horror nut, but this film didn't pack a punch as far as being "scary" or "frightening". It did have some disturbing images and the whole wrap up of it all didn't feel quite like the resolution to the film. That is why I gave it the rating I did.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

All this user's reviews

4

TVJerryFeb 23, 2016

In 2014, it was THE BABADOOK. Last year, It was IT FOLLOWS. What do these have in common with this flick? They were all hyped as the hot new horror film and I found them to be dismal disappointments. Call me old fashioned, but I like myIn 2014, it was THE BABADOOK. Last year, It was IT FOLLOWS. What do these have in common with this flick? They were all hyped as the hot new horror film and I found them to be dismal disappointments. Call me old fashioned, but I like my horror films to be scary. This one is steeped in an interesting period setting (New England, 1630) and drowned in an ominous soundtrack, but the creepy pace and lame shocks don’t make it remotely riveting. A farmer and his family set out on their own, only to be haunted by an unknown evil. True, it’s a compelling concept, but it also lacks any suspense. It doesn’t help that much of the “thee” and “hither” dialect is hard to follow. This is more a period drama in the vein of Miller’s THE CRUCIBLE or one of those Japanese ghost movies, neither of which is ever frightening. (Harvey Scrimshaw as the young son makes an impressive debut).… Expand

2 of 13 users found this helpful211

All this user's reviews

5

listenerMar 23, 2016

No wonder this was backed up by The Satanic Temple or however those creeps are calling themselves...just some diabolic trash if you ask me.Expertly crafted,great cinematography, frightening atmosphere,occasionally very scary andNo wonder this was backed up by The Satanic Temple or however those creeps are calling themselves...just some diabolic trash if you ask me.Expertly crafted,great cinematography, frightening atmosphere,occasionally very scary and disturbing,all performances from actors were good and so on and so on...but still crap.Destroy your family,sign for the devil and then have some fun flying around and killing babies...well no,thanks.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

6

YetAnotherScottMar 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 theDisappointing! 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

All this user's reviews

6

foxgroveMar 11, 2016

Frustratingly uneven as borne out by a slow and protracted opening 20 minutes. However, with the disappearance of the eldest brother, Caleb, the film begins to cast its spell. Full of disturbing imagery and rich in atmosphere and authenticFrustratingly uneven as borne out by a slow and protracted opening 20 minutes. However, with the disappearance of the eldest brother, Caleb, the film begins to cast its spell. Full of disturbing imagery and rich in atmosphere and authentic period detail, the story becomes intermittently compelling. There are some great directorial touches and impressive visual flourishes woven into the film’s biggest asset, its cinematography. Performances are solid, but there is no denying that the ending is unsatisfactorily ambiguous, leaving, as it does, too many questions unanswered.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

6

bfoore90Oct 5, 2016

You can't deny that this film is incredibly well made and I can understand why this film garnered such critical acclaim but at the end of the day, I was left somewhat disappointed by this movie. While It's obvious that the cast (especiallyYou can't deny that this film is incredibly well made and I can understand why this film garnered such critical acclaim but at the end of the day, I was left somewhat disappointed by this movie. While It's obvious that the cast (especially Anya Taylor-Joy) and all involved made a true effort to recreate the detail of the time period as I didn't have a problem with the acting, costumes or the sets. This movie was billed as something along the "scariest movie in decades" or something along those lines and it failed to deliver on what was to be its top selling point. I can sense the atmosphere in the film as it feels creepy and at times, thought provoking and visceral thanks to great cinematography, imagery and music but creepy is by no means the same as scary. Can you say that it tried to be scary? Sure it tried its damnedest but at the end, the movie felt nothing more than tame in regards to being scary… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

6

lunanulFeb 21, 2016

THIS IS AN ART FILM. Don't go expecting a traditional horror/scary movie 'cuz this ain't it. Think creepy, not scary. Slow-moving, atmospheric, with an occasional chilling and/or horrifying moment (yes, some good ones, but not many). There'sTHIS IS AN ART FILM. Don't go expecting a traditional horror/scary movie 'cuz this ain't it. Think creepy, not scary. Slow-moving, atmospheric, with an occasional chilling and/or horrifying moment (yes, some good ones, but not many). There's a lot of nearly unintelligible dialogue. One main character has a voice that sounds more animal than human. Key scenes are whispered (in Ye Olde Englishe). And when you do understand the words that are being said, they can be a bit laughable if you haven't submitted to the movie's spell. I guess I didn't, 'cuz I snorted when snorts were clearly far from the maker's mind. That said, its dour gray aesthetic is still floating around in my head, so not forgettable, which has value. I'll probably see it again on a small screen, with the benefit of subtitles.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

All this user's reviews

4

fukutopiaMar 2, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I saw this opening weekend & it's just been stewing in my brains ever since, because I wasn't sure what I wanted to say. I've been taking in all the other reviews for this film, hoping it would help me find the words…but unfortunately, I disagree with almost every other opinion regarding The Witch. I was greatly disappointed that I paid to see this in a theater instead of waiting to watch at home. This film, at best, is a beautifully shot, perfectly acted series of missed opportunities. Every set-up fell flat, as they were never followed through. This is not a horror movie, no matter what the blurbs & trailers lead you to believe—this is a 17th century folktale about religion, not a horror film. If the intent was to make an actual horror film, small tweaks could have easily been made. Children are creepy anyway, why not play it up with the twins who are supposedly playing with the devil incarnate? Maybe throw in a disembodied voice or two to make you question if it's actually Black Phillip or just a voice in Thomasin's head. Perhaps when you reveal what should be a haunting image of a witch snacking on a live animal, DON'T GIVE HER A GOOFY-ASS CARTOON LAUGH! I wanted to love this movie after watching the trailer, but I don't even think I can like it.… Expand

0 of 9 users found this helpful09

All this user's reviews

5

HarriganMtvBlogJun 7, 2016

'The Witch' or 'The VVitch' was a film that I had been interested in seeing but kind of forgot about.

Following the witch mythos of early-American folklore, the story centers around a family that has recently left their village and lives'The Witch' or 'The VVitch' was a film that I had been interested in seeing but kind of forgot about.

Following the witch mythos of early-American folklore, the story centers around a family that has recently left their village and lives alone on the edge of wilderness. When the family's newborn goes missing as oldest daughter, Thomasin is playing with him, suspicions of witchcraft begin to arise, as the mother is completely devastated.

Later on, oldest son, Caleb goes missing in the woods and happens upon a hovel, where he is entranced by a woman. Caleb would eventually return home, but would die after spouting religious exclamations.

The youngest set of children, a twin boy and girl, accuse Thomasin of being a witch, in which her parents believe them. The next morning, the father is impaled by a goat and crushed under a pile of fire wood, and Thomasin kills her mother after being attacked by her. Thomasin then talks to the goat, seemingly the Devil in disguise, where she signs his book and joins a host of other naked witches dancing and chanting around a night fire in the woods.

The film, although painfully slow and boring in large parts, was almost as equally unnerving and disturbing. The parts where we got to see the witch were truly creepy. We first get to see her as she is about to kill the stolen baby, then covered in its blood. The end where she is feeding off of a goat on the family farm before slaughtering the livestock (and twins?) was frightening.

The film, although a horror film, didn't hit you with jump scares and cheap thrills, it was more of a psychological scare more than anything. If you can get past the slow parts and tough accents, you might enjoy the film.

My rating: 5 out f 10… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

5

KrimJun 12, 2016

This film was quite a disappointment in reality for me. There are some creepy scenes of the movie but there really isn't anywhere near enough suspense and terror for this to be a horror movie. The cinematography was unique, it reminded me aThis film was quite a disappointment in reality for me. There are some creepy scenes of the movie but there really isn't anywhere near enough suspense and terror for this to be a horror movie. The cinematography was unique, it reminded me a lot of "The Road" in terms of the picture. Very washed out and had a vintage feel. The sets, costume design, script and attention to the era seemed very authentic and well thought-out. The acting was decent from the father figure and the main character girl, but the old English vocabulary made many of the lines almost cringey and somewhat comical. The trailer portrayed this movie as something more deep and sinister, every creepy moment in the trailer is all you get and nothing more. Some of the decisions made by the family were hardly logical at all and that pushed the story in a bit of a nonsensical direction. Not as special or disturbing in my opinion as others are saying in my opinion.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

4

cabopcJun 22, 2016

There are some genuinely creepy and freaky moments but mostly this movie is boring and pointless. It ends and you're disappointed and thinking "all that for nothing". I didn't appreciate the old English dialogue either. Yes it addsThere are some genuinely creepy and freaky moments but mostly this movie is boring and pointless. It ends and you're disappointed and thinking "all that for nothing". I didn't appreciate the old English dialogue either. Yes it adds authenticity but mostly it was annoying and caused me to have to use sub-titles.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

4

sterle2009Oct 30, 2020

It was a meh movie. Not really scary. A moderately interesting watch but that's about all