When Suspicion Turns a City Upside Down

Read Time:5 Minute, 20 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Hood Witch (Roqya)
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Genre: Action, Drama, Horror, Thriller
Year Released: 2023, 2025
Runtime: 1h 35m
Director(s): Saïd Belktibia
Writer(s): Saïd Belktibia, Louis Penicaut
Cast: Golshifteh Farahani, Amine Zariouhi, Denis Lavant, Alexis Manenti, Karim Belkhadra, Issaka Sawadogo
Where To Watch: select theaters and digital platforms March 21, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: If you ever wondered how quickly society could slip backward when confronted with its deepest fears, look no further than HOOD WITCH—a contemporary drama set on the rugged outskirts of modern-day Paris. This isn't your typical scary flick stuffed with jump-scares or ghostly apparitions. Instead, director Saïd Belktibia cleverly uses familiar horror conventions to craft a cutting social commentary, making it clear right from the get-go that he's got something meaningful—and undeniably relevant—to say. Though occasionally uneven execution, the film still hits many marks, boosted by a committed cast and a flair that helps lift it above the ordinary.

At the storm's center is Nour, played with intensity by Golshifteh Farahani. Nour is fascinatingly complex, a compelling mix of vulnerability and resilience. She walks a fine line, trading exotic animals and other less-than-legal goods within a community steeped in superstition. However, rather than feeling shady, Nour emerges as a relatable woman caught in difficult circumstances, doing what she can to ensure a better life for her young son. Farahani excels in bringing depth to a morally ambiguous character, showcasing layers of empathy, determination, and charm that make her struggles all the more compelling. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to create a successful mobile app to connect desperate clients with spiritual healers. This idea lands her smack in the crosshairs of envy, suspicion, and prejudice from her peers.

The opening montage makes a strong impression, juxtaposing historical images of women condemned for witchcraft with contemporary anxieties. It sets up the movie’s themes without overexplaining them. Despite technological advances and progressive rhetoric, Belktibia illustrates that society can quickly slip backward. There's a certain irony in how little has fundamentally changed about collective paranoia over strong, independent women.

One of the movie’s greatest strengths is its commitment to visuals. Cinematographer Benoit Soler deserves praise for crafting scenes that pull you in, offering gritty urban realism with chases, shadows, and frantic camera movement. Paris is depicted with refreshing authenticity, far removed from romantic postcard vistas. Instead, the city feels oppressive and dangerous, perfectly capturing the stakes Nour faces as tensions escalate around her.

However, where the movie falters is in its tendency toward abrupt tonal shifts. While the storyline starts thoughtfully, examining modern-day prejudice and cultural tension subtly, the plot soon explodes into intense chaos, feeling rushed. The transition from grounded drama to explosive thriller suddenly strains believability at points. Perhaps lingering more on the gradual spread of suspicion and mistrust in Nour’s neighborhood might have lent a stronger sense of authenticity, making the subsequent reaction more understandable rather than sudden and extreme.

Still, one aspect the movie gets remarkably right is its critique of toxic masculinity and patriarchal hypocrisy. Nour’s ex-husband Dylan, portrayed by Jérémy Ferrari, embodies entitlement and manipulative cruelty without turning cartoonish. Dylan represents how misogyny and patriarchal fears of losing control often disguise themselves as righteous anger, which is chillingly believable in the context of Nour’s struggle. The film doesn’t shy away from spotlighting uncomfortable truths about gendered violence, cleverly embedding them within a thriller narrative that remains approachable and engaging.

Belktibia also offers sharp observations on how religion becomes an oppressive force rather than a comforting presence when corrupted by greed and envy. Religious leaders in Nour’s community feel threatened by her app, not out of true spiritual conviction, but because it disrupts their financial monopoly. This nuanced portrayal cleverly underscores how tradition and belief can become mere pawns in power struggles, deepening the film’s overall social critique.

In addition, Belktibia explores how modern social media exacerbates communal paranoia and hatred. The film shows how quickly online narratives can spiral out of control, igniting real-world consequences. This timely message rings true, illustrating how dangerous digital outrage can become when fueled by misinformation. The portrayal of these online dynamics is accurate and unsettling, reminding viewers how easily public opinion can be manipulated.

Yet, despite these strengths, there are missed opportunities, especially in fleshing out supporting characters. Secondary roles feel underdeveloped, limiting the emotional weight of the film. By giving more depth to supporting characters, Belktibia might have better illustrated the community’s internal tensions, providing audiences with a richer context for understanding their dramatic shift from neighbors to persecutors.

Ultimately, the movie delivers a thoughtful, if slightly uneven, reflection on the realities women still face today. Anchored by Farahani’s standout performance and bolstered by engaging visuals, it raises significant questions about prejudice, misogyny, and fear in an accessible, relatable manner. Sure, there are times when it could have dialed back the heavy-handed symbolism and allowed subtlety to take center stage, giving audiences more space to connect emotionally. But even with these imperfections, the film never loses sight of its ambition or relevance.

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[photo courtesy of DARK SKY FILMS]

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