Reviews

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  ★★★★★ review by Hollie Horror on Letterboxd

  Let's get this out of the way, The Witch is a horror film, you can put it in all of your other subcategories but, at its very core--it's a genre film whether you feel comfortable with the classification or not.

  This film covers the horrors of colonialism, emigration, religious conviction, starvation, witch trials, patriarchy, puberty, loss, and if methodically exposing each of these very horrifying real life tribulations isn't terrifying and alarming enough, there's a god damn witch and evil goat for good measure.

  [I'm not trying to be sardonic, but many others have written think-pieces on why a general audience refuses to label a good film horror, google it and you'll find a bunch of people who were actually paid to explore this common misconception.]

  The Witch slowly builds to a chaotic conclusion, morbidly grooming Thomasin's family to turn against her, to leave her desperate and broken by the end, vulnerable to influence, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

  I loved everything about this movie, from the period-appropriate dialogue to brilliant performances from the entire cast (including the children who so often hinder a film and real life). The stunning cinematography, locations, and gloomy atmosphere were more than enough to hook me into this New England folkmare and I would love for Robert Eggers to tell me bedtime stories any night of the week. I am excited to watch this film again, I am excited for whatever Eggers decides to do next and I am so glad a film was finally able to capture a day in my witchy, deep forest hag life.

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  ★★★★★ review by Evan on Letterboxd

  And here I thought It Follows was the new standard for modern horror films.

  I couldn't tell you the last horror film I watched that genuinely made me afraid to go to sleep that night. Seriously, I got home from the movie and I had to change my shirt because it was drenched in sweat.

  Quite possibly the most atmospheric horror film I've ever experienced.

  The Witch has everything you could possibly want in a horror film. First and foremost it's scary as hell. It's also full of tension and suspense. The slow burn nature of the film really gets to you. The score is amazing. Aside from being scary, the second most import thing for me when it comes to a horror film is the score. Sometimes the score alone can make or break a horror film. In The Witches case the score makes the film. And finally, the acting is top-notch. Anya Taylor-Joy was incredible as the lead. Even the young children were fantastic.

  Robert Eggers is a first time filmmaker and he has made a masterpiece. What a time to be alive!

  This film is nothing short of brilliant. I'll never look at a goat the same way again.

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  ★★★★ review by adrianbalboa on Letterboxd

  good for her!

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  ★★★★★ review by davidehrlich on Letterboxd

  The rare horror movie with such savage grace and conviction that it was endorsed by both the Sundance Film Festival and the Satanic Temple (whose spokeswoman impishly described it as the story of “an outsider who grabs persecution by the horns”), The Witch is one of the best tricks the devil has ever pulled. Billed as a “New England folktale” and grimmer than Grimm, Robert Eggers’ uncompromising directorial debut is a bracingly new experience that boils with the primordial fever of America’s original sins.

  READ THE FULL REVIEW ON SLATE

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  ★★★½ review by Todd Gaines on Letterboxd

  I admire Robert Eggers' The VVitch more than I like it. Eggers has written and directed an ambitious horror movie that looks amazing on the screen. You can't deny Eggers put his heart and soul, filming and writing, The VVitch

  The cinematography with the old school vibe deserves the highest praise I can give. The 1:66:1 aspect ratio crafted by Jarin Blaschke, to me, is the overall highlight of the movie. I love the opening shot, as the family is being exiled. The look of the lens is perfect. It sets up the feeling of doom throughout the film.

  The language used seemed Puritan to me. I like how Eggers explores the temptations of people who try to live "pure" lives. A couple of the scenes involving the brother and sister are great examples. The daily lives of all involved, speak to the Puritan way of life. I would've hated to be a Puritan. 

  The music is dreadful in the best kind of way.  Mark Korven knows his mood music. I also noticed a couple instances where silence did the trick over sound. The VVitch is one of the best sounding movies of the year.

  Black Phillip is the GOAT! Of course I love Black Phillip. I like the way he looks, dances, talks, the songs the kids sing about him and his billy goat eyes. I want a sequel with Black Phillip going out into to the woods to look for some fresh green grass to eat. 

  The actors are good. The little kids are funny. Anya Taylor-Joy is the glue. She holds the cast together. I laughed way more than I should've. I found a lot of scenes unintentionally hilarious. The beginning dragged for me. The middle had a bit of lag, too. It was hard for me to get fully engrossed with the picture. But, this is a super grim, Grimms' Fairy Tale-esque story. However, I'm more Don't Breathe and The Wailing over The VVitch. Please don't tell Black Phillip!

  Bahhhh!

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