FilmSnobReviews

Title: The VVitch
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Robert Eggers
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins

What It Is: Based on a New England folktale this film takes place in said area in 1630. A young girl named Thomasin (Taylor-Joy) has lost her youngest brother. Stolen in the blink of an eye by a witch. His disappearance leads to even more strange occurrences within her god-fearing families household. As these events take place the family slowly begins to suspect that a sinister, evil presence may be causing this despair. As her younger brother searches the woods to find answers she, and they may not like what they discover.

What We Think: This is by far the best piece of horror cinema I’ve seen in quite some time. Anya Taylor-Joy has quite a future ahead of her as she absolutely shines here. Eggers makes the decision to go with the Old English dialogue and I think it ups the creep just slightly. Eggers also uses quick cuts that give a quick look at the goings-on as all hell breaks loose. Black Phillip makes for a new class of horror villain one with a minimal sighting that pulls you right where he wants you. You are almost intoxicated by the intrigue he brings. This is the world crafted, wonderfully by Eggers.

Our Grade: B+, Oh boy did I not have any expectations for this. I thought this would go the obvious shock and awe route with its scares instead we got a lovingly crafted piece of horror that relies on both atmosphere and religious fanatism to equal creep the shit out of you. I look very forward to whatever Eggers is going to bring forth next. His work as a production designer certainly helped his scenes here as every set piece looks meticulously crafted, and even more fully inhabited. We don’t know everything about his characters but we know enough to care what happens to them. That is all you can really ask of a director.