4.5/5
This film was a masterclass in slow burning horror. It builds a world and sucks you in, slowly building at atmosphere of dread that stays with you long after the final credits roll. The whole film is beautifully shot, even with the majority of it being grey and muted in colour. The decision to film in the old 1:1.66 aspect ratio was inspired as it adds to the feeling. The camera lingers longer than it should, giving the impression you are watching what you shouldn't be seeing. You can measure how effective a horror is by the impression it leaves on you after the film and I can say I haven't stopped thinking about this.
The acting surprised me. I wasn't expecting it to be this good. Ralph Ineson is perfectly cast, gruff, imposing but surprisingly vulnerable, such a good performance. But the star is Anya Taylor-Joy. She anchors the film as the conflicted child. Teetering on the edge of womanhood and rebellion, she treads the line with such honesty it keeps the film ticking.
The film also marks Robert Eggers as a director to look out for. Not since viewing Ben Wheatley's "A Field In England" have I been so excited by a director. The feeling of dread he creates in The Witch is relentless. Every scene I felt tense, not for jump scares, but for what is going to happen. He will be a big name soon, watch this space.
Now comes to a final point, this isn't for everyone. I think the way it has been advertised to show it as something it isn't. The language used is old fashioned English, there aren't jump scares, no teens running around, this is no slasher, and IT IS ALL THE BETTER FOR IT.
This is a stylish, horrible, horror masterpiece. It will have you tense throughout and leave a long impression.
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