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IMDbPro

The Witch

Original title: The VVitch: A New-England Folktale
  • 20152015
  • RR
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
253K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
263
74
The Witch (2015)
Director Robert Eggers gives IMDb exclusive commentary about the trailer for his latest film, 'The Witch.'
Play trailer2:39
8 Videos
99+ Photos
DramaFantasyHorror
A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession.A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession.A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
253K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
263
74
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Robert Eggers
    • Writer
      • Robert Eggers
    • Stars
      • Anya Taylor-Joy
      • Ralph Ineson
      • Kate Dickie
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Robert Eggers
    • Writer
      • Robert Eggers
    • Stars
      • Anya Taylor-Joy
      • Ralph Ineson
      • Kate Dickie
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.3KUser reviews
    • 583Critic reviews
    • 83Metascore
    • Awards
      • 43 wins & 71 nominations

    Videos8

    Trailer Commentary: Robert Eggers, Director of  'The Witch'
    Trailer 2:39
    Trailer Commentary: Robert Eggers, Director of 'The Witch'
    Trailer #2
    Trailer 1:23
    Trailer #2
    The Witch | Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:31
    The Witch | Official Trailer
    The Rise of Anya Taylor-Joy
    Clip 3:29
    The Rise of Anya Taylor-Joy
    The Witch
    Clip 0:43
    The Witch
    The Witch
    Clip 0:25
    The Witch
    The Witch
    Featurette 1:38
    The Witch
    The Most Gratifying Bizarre Scene Anya Taylor-Joy Ever Filmed
    Video 1:46
    The Most Gratifying Bizarre Scene Anya Taylor-Joy Ever Filmed

    Photos133

    Harvey Scrimshaw and Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch (2015)
    Ralph Ineson in The Witch (2015)
    Kate Dickie, Lucas Dawson, Harvey Scrimshaw, and Ellie Grainger in The Witch (2015)
    Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch (2015)
    Kate Dickie and Ralph Ineson in The Witch (2015)
    Lucas Dawson and Ellie Grainger in The Witch (2015)
    Kate Dickie in The Witch (2015)
    Ralph Ineson and Harvey Scrimshaw in The Witch (2015)
    Kate Dickie, Ralph Ineson, Lucas Dawson, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger, and Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch (2015)
    Kate Dickie, Ellie Grainger, and Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch (2015)
    Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch (2015)
    Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch (2015)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Anya Taylor-Joy
    Anya Taylor-Joy
    • Thomasin
    Ralph Ineson
    Ralph Ineson
    • William
    Kate Dickie
    Kate Dickie
    • Katherine
    Julian Richings
    Julian Richings
    • Governor
    Harvey Scrimshaw
    Harvey Scrimshaw
    • Caleb
    Ellie Grainger
    • Mercy
    Lucas Dawson
    • Jonas
    Bathsheba Garnett
    Bathsheba Garnett
    • The Witch
    Sarah Stephens
    Sarah Stephens
    • The Witch, Young
    Daniel Malik
    Daniel Malik
    • Black Phillip
    • (voice)
    • (as Wahab Chaudhry)
    Axtun Henry Dube
    • Samuel
    Athan Conrad Dube
    • Samuel
    Viv Moore
    • Lead Coven Witch
    • (as Vivien Moore)
    Karen Kaeja
    • Coven Witch
    Brandy Leary
    • Coven Witch
    R. Hope Terry
    • Coven Witch
    Carrie Eklund
    • Coven Witch
    Madlen Sopadzhiyan
    • Coven Witch
    • Director
      • Robert Eggers
    • Writer
      • Robert Eggers
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to cinematographer Jarin Blaschke, the film was shot mostly with available and natural light.
    • Goofs
      The desperately poor family is shown eating by the light of multiple candles. Candles were extremely expensive in colonial New England and would have been used very sparingly.
    • Quotes

      Thomasin: Black Phillip, I conjure thee to speak to me. Speak as thou dost speak to Jonas and Mercy. Dost thou understand my English tongue? Answer me.

      Black Phillip: What dost thou want?

      Thomasin: What canst thou give?

      Black Phillip: Wouldst thou like the taste of butter? A pretty dress? Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?

      Thomasin: Yes.

      Black Phillip: Wouldst thou like to see the world?

      Thomasin: What will you from me?

      Black Phillip: Dost thou see a book before thee?... Remove thy shift.

      Thomasin: I cannot write my name.

      Black Phillip: I will guide thy hand.

    • Connections
      Featured in Film '72: Episode #45.3 (2016)

    User reviews1.3K

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    As good as psychological horror gets
    I feel like I can't come up with the right words to describe this incredible movie, but I'll try. The lingering atmosphere is done incredibly well from the beginning, helped along by a combination of a tense score and the use of extended periods of silence. The acting is bang-on and you don't know when or how it is going to end. The movie doesn't have 'twists' exactly, but the way it is written keeps you guessing constantly. And I personally loved the ending. Though the potential is there to use a more standard approach, The Witch however opts to go down a more subtle avenue, leading to the true nature of religious persecution that is on full display here. Additionally, elements of the story have been taken from historical documents, adding another layer of grimness. The supernatural elements are obviously up for discussion, but that these tales were written centuries ago somehow adds more to this disturbing film.

    The film is set in 1630, in New England, America. A Puritan family is banished from town for their beliefs (or it at least seems this way, perhaps based on real events). They are forced to move to a farm that feels like it is on the edge of the world, as from the opening the woods that line the farm are presented in ominous fashion, almost creating a character that could serve as the scariest element of the film. What exactly goes on in there? Why can't the children venture inside? Suddenly, without warning, tragedy strikes. The family clings to their faith to prevent them from starving as their crops die; with nothing they can do to prevent it.

    The period is an appropriate choice given how humans treated each other centuries ago, and an ideal setting for a horror tale. Some conversations require a little more attention, as the characters speak in 'ye olde English' which takes a little getting used to, but it adds another layer of mystery as the family is struck by more inexplicable hardships, causing them to become wary of each other, which in turn leaves them in a increasingly vulnerable state. I can't say I is scared, but I do know that I is gripping the armrests pretty hard for most of the film. Hell, they manage to make a scene where a man is hunting a rabbit seem tense and creepy! Additionally, this is not for inattentive viewers; I could see clock-watching all around me. The incredible camera-work almost reminds me of Paul Thomas Anderson in There Will Be Blood, with many long takes, often slowly panning or zooming in. There is also a focus on facial close-ups reminiscent of Bergman, all of which is a feast to watch on an IMAX screen. The score matches this camera-work almost to perfection, while there is often a lengthy silence between dialogue to contrast the tense music. It also must be mentioned that the child actors really shine, out-doing their older counterparts.

    This really is my sort of horror film. No jump-scares, convincing acting and a focus on a dark, foreboding atmosphere rather than the grotesque and bloody. This is another of those films I would label as a psychological thriller, as the supernatural horrors are kept almost completely out of view as we witness the downfall of a family who are all affected, turning on each other as their faith is truly tested.

    This film couldn't have catered to my interests more; I can't recommend it to everybody, but if you go in with no preconceived notions you'll be in for a tasty, if not nasty surprise. The suspense is almost unparalleled among recent films, and the 'horror' genre conventions are cleverly subverted to deliver a film that is better than 'It Follows' while being a completely different film. In addition to all this, there is much to take in thematically if you are so inclined… Hell, I'd love to see this again to do just that.

    www.epilepticmoondancer.net
    helpful•431
    198
    • punishable-by-death
    • Oct 21, 2015

    FAQ7

    • During the exorcist scene, is it the boy talking or is it the witch?
    • What is The Witch and what is it about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 19, 2016 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Official Site
      • Official Site - A24
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The VVitch
    • Filming locations
      • Kiosk, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Parts and Labor
      • RT Features
      • Rooks Nest Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,138,705
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,800,230
      • Feb 21, 2016
    • Gross worldwide
      • $40,423,945
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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