The Witch (2016)

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  TheMovieDiorama

  7 / 10

  The Witch slowly engraves its illustrious witchcraft into your mind. Not the first time I've watched this slow burner, and quite controversially I did not enjoy it. A couple of years fly by (faster than an old hag on a broom, might I add) and the film community ever increase their adoration for this horror. Did I miss something on my original viewing? Turns out, I did. A separatist family are banished over a religious dispute and encounter evil forces in the woods that seclude their New England farm. Surreal imagery provokes the inevitable question of "is it real or imagined?", and Eggers' directorial debut opens an ominous window into a period horror that transcends its own art form. Accompanied by Blaschke's stunning cinematography, Eggers directs you gently through this New England folk tale that, whilst not genuinely scary, provides a thick layer of uneasy atmosphere. The biggest complaint that is commonly thrown around is how "boring" it is. I implore you to grant this beauty another viewing. The pace, particularly during the first and third act, was consistent and well constructed. Balancing a thematic narrative that perhaps hosts too many metaphors, with illusory imagery that enhances the chilling tension that is substantially more effective thanks to Korven's score. No, I suspect the largest hurdle to bypass is the dialogue. Utilising a more unconventional 17th century dialect that, whilst feels freshly authentic, hinders character investment. It's difficult to quantify this choice as a detriment or a blessing. It does visualise the hysteria that culminates from devout Christians, and the fear of sin or corruption if individuals stray too far from the word of God. But due to Ineson's deep voice and Dickie's heavy accent, it is more often than not difficult to fully comprehend the dialogue. Fantastic performances though, but it just somewhat loses its edge with the dialect. I'm still indifferent about the ending, doesn't feel satisfying enough with its ambiguity. Still, I have to say that this is a gorgeous supernatural period drama that perhaps is too unconventional for most audiences.

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