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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

A New-England Folktale.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing violent content and graphic nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Satanic Temple has endorsed this movie and hosted several screenings of the film. Their spokesperson, Jex Blackmore, addressed the film as "an impressive presentation of Satanic insight that will inform contemporary discussion of religious experience."

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Goofs

In several shots, ear piercing holes can be seen in Anya Taylor-Joy (Thomasin), when women of that era rarely wore jewelry.

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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 ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Brain Dump: The Witch (2016)

User Reviews

Finally no Hollywood crap

This is what I call a good movie. But it is not for everyone. After seeing the trailer, lots of people thought they get a horror spectacle. I'll never understand why, because the trailer itself is very slow, just like the whole movie.

The movies has a slow pace but its still intense. And it will only feel intense if you give in and not wait for action and speed. This movie is no Hollywood spectacle.

The movie feels like a depiction of real life. No stupid jokes and exaggerated action scenes. Slow and calm dialogues. I liked the way the witch was enacted too. I am happy to see that she is not shown as a crazy woman jumping around eating toads.

On the other side, I wished there would have been a deeper insight into the witches thoughts.

So... go and see if you want more than silly Hollywood witches.

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