A Dark Journey Through Love and Superstition

Read Time:3 Minute, 50 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Witch
–

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 47m
Director(s): Craig Hinde, Marc Zammit
Writer(s): Marc Zammit (story by,) Craig Hinde (story/screenplay by,) David Baboulene (story consultant)
Cast: Russell Shaw, Ryan Spong, Sarah Alexandra Marks, Fabrizio Santino, Daniel Jordan, Mims Burton, Ella Starbuck
Where To Watch: releases digitally on April 29, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: Beneath the deceptive tranquility of a 16th-century English village, WITCH unfolds a gripping narrative steeped in the anxieties and superstitions of the era. In it, Sarah Alexandra Marks shines as Twyla, a woman trapped by false accusations of witchcraft. Ryan Spong delivers a solid performance as her devoted husband, William, and is propelled into a dark quest to clear her name.

The directorial duo of Craig Hinde, Marc Zammit, and screenwriter David Baboulen create the world of WITCH; this film carves out a niche in the British folk horror landscape. The experience intertwines fear and superstition with the everyday lives of its characters. It offers a fresh perspective on when shadows loomed large over human fate.

More than just a quest for truth, William’s journey is portrayed as a grueling battle against the darkness that blankets his world, challenging him with evils that may surpass the confines of the mortal realm. The plot thickens with the addition of Russell Shaw, who plays a pivotal role that dances on the border between friend and foe as a palpable threat, adding layers to the already deep narrative.

WITCH creates an atmosphere that’s both claustrophobic and electrifying. The setting of this isolated village amplifies the intense personal stakes and ramps the tension to a near-breaking point, drawing viewers into its eerie embrace.

Visually, WITCH is a well-done film from set design and costumes; it offers a feast for the eyes, with its cinematography painting each scene in shades of gothic gloom and stark beauty. With its melancholic undertones and occasional harsh dissonance, the film's score perfectly complements the visual storytelling, enriching the dark themes with an auditory depth that enhances the sense of impending doom.

However, despite these well-executed aspects, WITCH encounters several stumbling blocks that could have changed its overall impact. The choice to shoot the film digitally, which produces a crisp and clean visual quality, paradoxically undermines the authenticity of the historical setting. Although visually striking, this modern sheen was too much against the gritty realism expected of a 16th-century narrative. Moreover, while most performances are well done, there are notable exceptions where the acting fails to meet the script's demands, resulting in a lack of believability crucial for immersion in the story. These elements, combined with a few narrative missteps, pull the viewer out of the film’s meticulously crafted atmosphere, leaving a sense of what might have been had these issues been addressed.

Beyond the plot, WITCH also prompts viewers to consider broader societal issues, such as the perils of social exclusion and the corrosive effects of ignorance, which resonate just as strongly today as they did centuries ago. The film reflects on historical horrors and draws parallels to current societal challenges in an insightful and unnerving manner.

WITCH is a dive into historical horror and a layered exploration of human resilience and ethical dilemmas. The film boasts a meticulously crafted narrative and robust visuals that ensure it stands out in the horror genre. Even with the struggles it faces, if you enjoy gothic horror, this should be a film you check out!

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[photo courtesy of 101 FILMS]

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