Devastated, the family struggles with grief and suspicion. William and Caleb go hunting, and William admits he traded Katherine’s prized silver cup for hunting supplies. The twins play with the family’s billy goat, Black Phillip, claiming it talks to them. Katherine blames Thomasin for the missing cup and Samuel. Caleb becomes lost in the woods, encounters the witch, and returns home naked and delirious.
Caleb dies after convulsions, and the twins accuse Thomasin of witchcraft. William locks the children in the goat house. That night, the witch drinks the blood of a nanny goat. Katherine hallucinates about her dead children. At dawn, William is killed by Black Phillip, and Thomasin kills Katherine in self-defense.
Thomasin speaks to Black Phillip, who materializes into a man and tempts her with promises of a better life. She joins a coven of witches in the forest, and they levitate around a bonfire.
Cast
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Thomasin
- Ralph Ineson as William
- Kate Dickie as Katherine
- Harvey Scrimshaw as Caleb
- Ellie Grainger as Mercy
- Lucas Dawson as Jonas
- Julian Richings as the Governor
- Bathsheba Garnett as The Witch
- Sarah Stephens as The Witch (young)
- Wahab Chaudhry as Black Phillip (voice and human form)
- Charlie as Black Phillip (goat)
Production
Eggers, inspired by his childhood fascination with witches, wrote the film after several failed pitches. The production aimed for historical accuracy, consulting experts and using period-appropriate construction techniques. Although Eggers wanted to film in New England, tax incentives led them to Canada.
Filming used only natural light and candles. Costumes were made from authentic materials, and a troupe of Butoh dancers played the coven of witches. The score, composed by Mark Korven, avoided electronic instruments, focusing on minimalism and dissonance.
Themes
The film’s horror is conveyed through atmosphere and scenography, using expressionist lighting, thematic camera work, and a dissonant soundtrack. It explores psychological conflict, patriarchal repression, and liberation through witchcraft. Thomasin’s desires for independence and power clash with her family’s strict Puritan values, leading her to ultimately embrace witchcraft.
The film also contrasts civilization with nature, with the forest representing untamed, forbidden liberation. The family’s home resembles a witch’s cottage, hinting at inherent evil. Thomasin’s final nude scene symbolizes casting off societal bonds, and Black Phillip’s triumph represents nature overcoming civilization.
Release
“The Witch” premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and had a wide release on February 19, 2016. It was released on Blu-ray and digital HD on May 17, 2016, and on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on April 23, 2019.
Reception
The film grossed $40.4 million worldwide. It received positive reviews for its historical detail, atmosphere, and slow-building horror. Critics praised its authenticity and thematic depth, while some audience members found its pacing slow. Horror authors Stephen King and Brian Keene praised the film, highlighting its ability to evoke deep fear and thought.
Religious Perspectives
The film explores the fear and piety of a devout Christian family in 1630s New England. Some Christian commentators criticized its portrayal of religious extremism, while others saw it as a commentary on the dangers of religious rigidity. The film’s depiction of witchcraft is traditional, emphasizing the fear of divine retribution and the allure of liberation from strict societal norm
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