The Witch (2015)

Now that I am finally settled into my room at the Cabana Bay Resort, it is time to get some blogging in. Yes, I meant to do some over the weekend, but driving from the homestead, to North Carolina, and then to Orlando took more out of me than I expected. Next up for review is a film that I loved, and one of the best of 2015, The Witch.

Plot/ New England, 1630: William and Katherine 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.

I love period pieces and believe that The Witch may be one of the best films to come out and embrace the darkness that existed within this time period. While some of the movie is predictable and somewhat cliche, it definitely overcomes those aspects to create a heavy and dark atmospheric film that could be a tremendous representation of the Calvinist movement that sat at the heart of early Americana. The performances are outstanding, the direction and cinematography is spot on, and the storytelling is interesting and thought provoking. Honestly, it made me think a lot about society and the belief system that acted as a foundation for what has become our nation (not to mention the intolerance that seems to be rising up all around us). Yes, there are a few head-scratching moments that can be confusing and the pacing varies in speed, but those are but minor flaws that do not hurt this film in any way. In the end, this one is one of the best horror flicks of 2015 and is a masterful example of what great storytelling can do. Being a period piece, this one will not be for everyone, but it is well worth watching (especially if you remember your prayers)! Definitely, check this one out if you have not.