Films > Film Reviews
The VVitch
14/03/16
Admittedly creepy and disconcerting; this directorial debut from Robert Eggers is an odd watch. The folk tale look and horror aspects work from time to time but the story is riddled with questions and splinters like a witch’s broomstick by the end.
In 17th Century New England, a family are banished from a plantation and must learn to live on a patch of land near the entrance of a forest. This gathering of trees hides a most sinister presence; a witch who takes the family’s newborn baby and begins posing more doubts and fateful decisions as the days tick away.
Without any spoilers, because this film deserves to be seen without much prior knowledge, this is a plot that bubbles and boils on the suspicions of who to trust. Robert Eggers also writes this witchy horror and does so in a neat way that showcases his potential as a master of suspense. The story, specifically in the first half, has a true feeling of unease as we get to know the family and see the dark elements the forest starts to manifest. Eggers certainly makes this movie a thoughtful one; I’m sure that a lot of people exiting the film will be asking questions as to what they just saw.
Jarin Blaschke makes this film look incredible. The detail in the setting has a wholly realistic edge, which only makes the more supernatural elements more alarming. On another positive, The Witch or vvitch as it reads, stands out thanks to the music. Mark Korven doesn’t provide the expected brooding score but one that appears, then floats away, or chimes in loudly for one bone-rattling sound. The playing around with sound and horror conventions of score is nice to hear, though on the flip side it does waft as well.
This is a movie that perhaps annoyingly never owns a definitive answer as to what madness is ensuing, and with so much suggestion of something deep and dreadful, the plot loses a connection.
I must say that the young actors stole the show in this film. Harvey Scrimshaw is brilliant as Caleb. He breaks free performing the darker, manipulated scenes fantastically. Ellie Granger and Lucas Dawson, who are excitidedly twisted, tick the creepy twins box. Anya Taylor-Joy is captivating in a pure way; her white costume and innocent look become more shaded as the film goes on. It’s a gritty role that gets into your bones and Taylor-Joy plays this questionable heroine very well.
It’s easy to see why people might view this as a boring film; it takes a long time to get anywhere and doesn’t answer questions. That said, even with the more clichéd ending, this is one hell of a disturbing film that benefits without knowing much about it before watching.
7/10