The Witch (2015) Directed by Robert Eggers. Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie. IMDB says: “A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession.”

In this current age of horror, I always find myself looking for those few gems that are released in one form or another. Each year fewer well-crafted horror films make it onto the big screen and are therefore sent straight to VOD, and then shortly after given a physical release. Last year one of those gems, It Follows, fortunately was given the big screen treatment it deserved alongside the more mainstream horror releases of 2015. We are only a little over a month and a half into the year and we already have what will most likely be one of the best horror films of this year, The Witch.

The Witch is about a New England family in the 1630’s that at the beginning of the film is banished from their village. The father, William (Ralph Ineson), takes his family and moves them out into the middle of nowhere where they can build a new home and begin their new life. William and his god-fearing wife Katherine (Kate Dickie) build a new home with eldest daughter Tomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), younger brother Caleb (Harvey Scrimshaw), twins Mercy and Jonas (Ellie Grainger and Lucas Dawson) and of course, baby Samuel. But very quickly things go awry as Samuel is snatched by something, or someone, right in front of Tomasin.

Director Robert Eggers is not afraid to tackle a movie about satan, witchcraft and the things we can not see. The film very much invokes the tone and spirit of the 60’s and 70’s flicks, which a majority were about similar sinister subjects. Films like The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby, Night of the Demon and The Bad Seed were all films of their time that tackled subject matter we don’t particularly see that often these days, except for the occasional paranormal found footage feature of the week.

From the very beginning of the film Eggers sets things off quickly and wastes no time. The atmosphere of the film is very eerie and one of pure dread and suspense. Each shot looks amazing and has a very glum look to it which really sets the tone and prepares you for the dark journey ahead. Along with the jarring visuals, the film has an amazing score that complements and builds the suspense in each shot when it is needed. The strings are haunting and by the final scene I was covered from head to toe in goosebumps from the impact of it all.

The actors involved all gave amazing performances. Ralph Ineson (Game of Thrones) was phenomenal as the rational father-type, trying to keep his family together and safe. Newcomer Anya Taylor-Joy also gave a standout performance as a daughter trying to find answers as the fears of fellow family members begin to work against her.

This is a film best seen with knowing little about, hence me not going into any detail and spoiling scenes despite the fact that they are things I really would like to discuss. The film does have a very authentic look and feel which is mostly thanks to the director. From the detailed, handmade clothing to the old dialect used, the film feels like it could have been out of a diary. Eggers used a lot of historical documents and journals from the time when writing the film and crafting the tale and it most definitely shows. I’m sure I will not be the only one to say that at times during the movie I couldn’t quite catch every word being spoken because of the commitment to the ancient tongue of the time, but it also didn’t feel like I missed anything.

The psychological aspects of the film are also just as impactful. You have a family that has just experienced a barely “explainable” event and the only witness to it is young Tomasin. Then, as other events occur throughout the film the only person involved is yet again, Tomasin. Quickly we see a majority of the family begin to question what is actually happening and wondering if more sinister dealings have occurred.

The Witch was extremely moving and powerful and I think will be even more so in a second viewing which I plan to attend asap. This is an amazing debut from this first time director and I look forward seeing what is next. The Witch is being called a new “horror classic” and I think as time passes it will very much become one. If you like blood and guts and jump scares only, then you will most likely hate this movie because it has an actual plot. If you like good atmospheric and genuinely creepy horror, then this is a movie for you. Plus The Satanic Temple has officially endorsed the movie so, what better reason to go see it?