The Witch

The Witch synthesizes gothic horror with feminist commentary. Themes of sexual oppression, madness, wilderness, religious hysteria, paranoia, and isolation are baked inside the Gothic folktale lending to an uneasy setting. The well-rounded characters complement the themes with their organic narrative arcs.

The dynamic acting displays raw vulnerability, psychological dread, madness, layers, and physicality. There's clinical thematic setup/payoff, foreshadowing, and a gothic horror tale. Overall The Witch is a masterful symphony for horror.

The Witch is technically ambitious. Its direction combined with the Gothic horror setting creates a folktale aesthetic. The cinematography employs natural light and muted color grading that gives a dreamy and nightmarish look. The editing employs transitions, fades, splits, and hard edits to accentuate the terror and the atmosphere.

The haunting score through split whispers and chants is unnerving while the sound remains grounded. The authentic medieval production design anchors the film's setting and provides the backdrop for its religious horror. The cast provides decent star power (Anya Taylor Joy) however are well-suited to the roles. Overall The Witch is a classic.

Writing:9/10

Direction:10/10

Cinematography:10/10

Acting:8/10

Editing:8/10

Sound:8/10

Score:9/10

Prod Design:10/10

Casting:8/10

Effects:8/10

Overall Score:8.8/10