Does it belong on the same level as something like The Exorcist? In my opinion, the answer is a “no”—but The Witch certainly delivers some atmospheric chills.
Set in New England in 1630, an English farmer leaves his colonial plantation upon threat of banishment by the church—relocating his wife and five children to a remote plot of land on the edge of an ominous forest. However, things start happening—from a teenage son Caleb (played by Harvey Scrimshaw) starting to notice the body of his slightly older sister Thomasin (played by astonishing actress Anya Taylor-Joy), to rising family tension to the appearance of the titular person (creature?).
I can guarantee you may not look at goats (or rabbits or pigs) the same way again.
Also, I don’t mean to downplay the skills of the other actors (particularly Scrimshaw, who has a very intense demonic-possession scene) but Taylor-Joy is particularly engaging as the viewer’s emotions are shifted regarding who Thomasin really is.
Writer/director Robert Eggers certainly has an eye for detail—the better for extracting more emotion out of scenes that lesser talents could render prosaic. He also knows when to employ music to draw out emotions as well. The results are that there’s some gore—but it’s also a psychological horror film that plays on the audience’s feelings.
In some ways, one could argue that Eggers utilizes cliches but also defies them—making the film one of the better movies I’ve seen so far this year.
Note: The Witch is rated “R” for disturbing violent content and graphic nudity.