The Witch (2015)

A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic, and possession.

Director:

Robert Eggers

Writer:

Robert Eggers

Stars:

Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie

43 wins & 67 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anya Taylor-Joy	...	Thomasin
Ralph Ineson	...	William
Kate Dickie	...	Katherine
Harvey Scrimshaw	...	Caleb
Ellie Grainger	...	Mercy
Lucas Dawson	...	Jonas
Julian Richings	...	Governor
Bathsheba Garnett	...	The Witch
Sarah Stephens	...	The Witch, Young
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

Storyline

New England, 1630: William and Katherine try to lead a devout Christian life, homesteading on the edge of an impassible wilderness, with five children. When their newborn son mysteriously vanishes and their crops fail, the family begins to turn on one another. 'The Witch' is a chilling portrait of a family unraveling within their own sins, leaving them prey for an inconceivable evil.

---

Plot Keywords:

witch | goat | isolation | new england | black magic | 

---

Taglines:

A New-England Folktale.

---

Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing violent content and graphic nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last name of the family is unknown, even though Puritans did have last names, they were referred to by the Grandfather's name.

---

Goofs

In a scene where Mercy is fighting Thomasin her bonnet comes loose from her head. However, in the next shot, the bonnet is pinned back.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
William: [before the court] What went we out into this wilderness to find? Leaving our country, kindred, our fathers houses? We have travailed a vast ocean. For what? For what?
Governor: We must ask thee to be silent!
William: Was it not for the pure and faithful dispensation of the Gospels, and the Kingdom of God?
Old Slater: No more! We are *your* judges, and not you ours!
William: I cannot be judged by false Christians, for I have done nothing, save preach Christ's true Gospel.
Governor: Must you continue to dishonor the laws of the ...
[...]

---

Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Brutal Animal Attacks in Movies (2019)

User Reviews

If the 17th Century could make a movie

If people from the 17th Century could make a film about their deepest darkest horrors - it would look a lot like this movie! The Witch engrosses you in the time and place of its setting, it's a family drama, a horror and a folk tale. All interwoven together into a macabre ode of the times when people were frightened of the primeval darkness of the forests and the inexplicable twists of their wretched fates. Intense and gripping from the very beginning. With some of the most amazing acting I've seen by the youngest cast members. Fantastic movie for horror fans and a masterful period piece. I would recommend it highly to horror fans and fans of history and good cinema in general.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site Official Site - A24

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Witch

Filming Locations:

Kiosk, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,800,230, 21 February 2016

Gross USA:

$25,138,705

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$40,423,945

Company Credits

Production Co:

Parts and Labor, RT Features, Rooks Nest Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1