The Witch Blu-ray Review
THE SET-UP
An evil entity torments a Puritan
family living in the wilderness of colonial New England. Stars Anya
Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, and Katie Dickie.
family living in the wilderness of colonial New England. Stars Anya
Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, and Katie Dickie.
Written and directed by Robert Eggers.
THE DELIVERY
The Witch is an exquisite piece of
American horror, a riveting film that revels in a family’s demonic
descent into madness. Writer/director Robert Eggers, in his feature
film debut, has created an indelible tale that completely immerses
the viewer in a world where witches and demonic oppression are
completely logical threats, and it is one of the more original horror
films in years.
American horror, a riveting film that revels in a family’s demonic
descent into madness. Writer/director Robert Eggers, in his feature
film debut, has created an indelible tale that completely immerses
the viewer in a world where witches and demonic oppression are
completely logical threats, and it is one of the more original horror
films in years.
Unlike the PG-13 “horror-lite” or
torture porn dominating recent offerings, The Witch is a horror film
wrapped in a period piece with strong doses of what the hell was
that. Set in New England in 1630, the film follows a pastor’s
family who has left the safety of a Puritan settlement over
differences with religious teachings. They build a homestead out in
the wilderness, where they soon discover that something in the woods
is tormenting them.
torture porn dominating recent offerings, The Witch is a horror film
wrapped in a period piece with strong doses of what the hell was
that. Set in New England in 1630, the film follows a pastor’s
family who has left the safety of a Puritan settlement over
differences with religious teachings. They build a homestead out in
the wilderness, where they soon discover that something in the woods
is tormenting them.
If you’re expecting a gore fest or a
number of jump scares, this is not your film. The Witch builds
slowly, but interjects some truly jarring moments, and there is a
strong focus on the family’s Puritan beliefs, and more importantly,
their superstitions. As director Eggers points out in the disc’s
special features, the story is based on writings from the period
which detail how most of these settlers believed in the likelihood
that witches existed. The paranoia that sets in on the family, as
they begin to turn on each other and accuse each other of being a
servant of the devil, is an accurate reflection of what people at the
time believed. Eggers does a masterful job of recreating this
historical period (including some fantastic attention to detail),
making it easy to suspend disbelief and buy into the mindset of the
characters, which makes the film’s final act even more terrifying.
number of jump scares, this is not your film. The Witch builds
slowly, but interjects some truly jarring moments, and there is a
strong focus on the family’s Puritan beliefs, and more importantly,
their superstitions. As director Eggers points out in the disc’s
special features, the story is based on writings from the period
which detail how most of these settlers believed in the likelihood
that witches existed. The paranoia that sets in on the family, as
they begin to turn on each other and accuse each other of being a
servant of the devil, is an accurate reflection of what people at the
time believed. Eggers does a masterful job of recreating this
historical period (including some fantastic attention to detail),
making it easy to suspend disbelief and buy into the mindset of the
characters, which makes the film’s final act even more terrifying.
The acting is the absolute strong point
of the film, with newcomer Anya Taylor-Joy’s mesmerizing
performance anchoring the film. It is rare to see a young actor give
a star-making turn like this, and hopefully Taylor-Joy gets the
attention she deserves from this film. She exudes the innocence and
inner strength the character needed, and provides the viewer the
emotional connection that gives The Witch a disturbing, psychological
element that elevates it above the usual horror fare.
of the film, with newcomer Anya Taylor-Joy’s mesmerizing
performance anchoring the film. It is rare to see a young actor give
a star-making turn like this, and hopefully Taylor-Joy gets the
attention she deserves from this film. She exudes the innocence and
inner strength the character needed, and provides the viewer the
emotional connection that gives The Witch a disturbing, psychological
element that elevates it above the usual horror fare.
Ralph Ineson (Harry Potter) and Katie
Dickie (Game of Thrones) are both superb as the father and mother,
who both manage to have you believe this family is falling apart, a
nearly impossible task in the hands of lesser actors. Harvey
Scrimshaw is equally impressive as the good-hearted brother Caleb,
and young actors Ellie Grainger and Lucas Dawson are veritable
scene-stealers as the bratty twins who only make the situation worse
for the family.
Dickie (Game of Thrones) are both superb as the father and mother,
who both manage to have you believe this family is falling apart, a
nearly impossible task in the hands of lesser actors. Harvey
Scrimshaw is equally impressive as the good-hearted brother Caleb,
and young actors Ellie Grainger and Lucas Dawson are veritable
scene-stealers as the bratty twins who only make the situation worse
for the family.
Beautifully shot and expertly acted,
The Witch is a surprising gem that absolutely should be seen. It is a
dark and at times morbid tale, and it doesn’t feel the need to
answer all of your questions. Some may find fault with the shocking
ending for not fully explaining what is happening, but I actually
preferred to have a little mystery remain. Like any good folktale or
morality play, it begs for discussion and interpretation. In this
case, it makes the viewing experience even more fulfilling, despite
the ambiguity.
The Witch is a surprising gem that absolutely should be seen. It is a
dark and at times morbid tale, and it doesn’t feel the need to
answer all of your questions. Some may find fault with the shocking
ending for not fully explaining what is happening, but I actually
preferred to have a little mystery remain. Like any good folktale or
morality play, it begs for discussion and interpretation. In this
case, it makes the viewing experience even more fulfilling, despite
the ambiguity.
VIDEO AND AUDIO
The setting for the film is often in
dark homes or dank forests, but The Witch sports a nice video
transfer with a high bitrate, which translates the many blacks and
greys in the image well. The audio is a 5.1 DTS HDMA mix, with some
impressive work to balance the often low voices with the natural
sounds of the forest to create a unique and immersive audio
experience.
dark homes or dank forests, but The Witch sports a nice video
transfer with a high bitrate, which translates the many blacks and
greys in the image well. The audio is a 5.1 DTS HDMA mix, with some
impressive work to balance the often low voices with the natural
sounds of the forest to create a unique and immersive audio
experience.
SPECIAL FEATURES
You do not get many extras on the
Blu-ray disc, but you do get a nice look at the making of the film,
as well as a discussion on the supernatural, historical, and
spiritual aspects of the film, thanks to an excellent Q&A filmed
after a screening of the film in Salem (fittingly). An audio commentary with Robert Eggers is excellent.
Blu-ray disc, but you do get a nice look at the making of the film,
as well as a discussion on the supernatural, historical, and
spiritual aspects of the film, thanks to an excellent Q&A filmed
after a screening of the film in Salem (fittingly). An audio commentary with Robert Eggers is excellent.
The special features include:
“The Witch: A Primal Folktale”
featurette. Writer/director Robert Eggers and the cast discuss
creating the definitive American colonial witch folktale. The
featurette includes some nice behind-the-scenes footage. Running
time: 8:28
featurette. Writer/director Robert Eggers and the cast discuss
creating the definitive American colonial witch folktale. The
featurette includes some nice behind-the-scenes footage. Running
time: 8:28
“Salem Panel Q&A with Cast and
Crew” featurette. Eggers, Anya Taylor-Joy, and several historians
host a Q&A after a screening of the film in Salem. Running time:
27:59
Crew” featurette. Eggers, Anya Taylor-Joy, and several historians
host a Q&A after a screening of the film in Salem. Running time:
27:59
Design Gallery. Over a dozen costume
sketches and concept art pieces are featured in this navigable
gallery.
sketches and concept art pieces are featured in this navigable
gallery.
Digital Copy. An Ultraviolet-compatible
digital copy of the film is included.
digital copy of the film is included.
Audio Commentary. Director Robert
Eggers provides some excellent insight into the film. There are a few
mundane observations, but he also provides some great details in how
the film was made and how he crafted the screenplay.
Eggers provides some excellent insight into the film. There are a few
mundane observations, but he also provides some great details in how
the film was made and how he crafted the screenplay.
THE BOTTOM LINE: THE WITCH IS A
DISTURBING BUT RIVETING FILM
An exquisite piece of uniquely American
horror, The Witch is not an easy film to watch, but it is a rewarding
experience. Director Eggers crafts a masterful tale, and actors
Taylor-Joy, Ineson, and Dickie are superb.
horror, The Witch is not an easy film to watch, but it is a rewarding
experience. Director Eggers crafts a masterful tale, and actors
Taylor-Joy, Ineson, and Dickie are superb.
BLU-RAY SPECS
Release Date: May 17, 2016
Rating: R (Violence, nudity, and
disturbing images)
disturbing images)
Running Time: 92 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS HDMA
Subtitles: English for the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing, Spanish
Hard of Hearing, Spanish
Special Features: “The Witch: A
Primal Folklore” featurette; Salem Panel Q&A; Design Gallery;
Digital Copy.
Primal Folklore” featurette; Salem Panel Q&A; Design Gallery;
Digital Copy.
Audio Commentary: With writer/director
Robert Eggers
Robert Eggers
Label: Lionsgate
Click here to order The Witch on Blu-ray from Amazon!
Click here to order The Witch on Blu-ray from Amazon!
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