Keep an eye on the witch 2015 is a notable film that was released in 2015. Directed by Robert Eggers, this horror film received critical acclaim for its unique story and captivating performances. The film is set in 17th century New England and follows a family who is banished from their Puritan community and forced to live on the outskirts of a dark forest. As they try to establish a new life, their youngest child goes missing, leading them to suspect that a witch may be behind the disappearance. The film delves into themes of paranoia, religious fervor, and isolation, creating a tense and atmospheric experience for viewers. What sets Keep an eye on the witch 2015 apart from other horror films is its commitment to authenticity, with the dialogue being taken from actual historical documents from the time period.
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It s the first feature that he has directed; hitherto, he has worked as a production and costume designer, and the legacy shows in the weave of the homespun clothes. Katherine is afraid that her baby, as yet unbaptized, will be among the lost, denied entrance to Heaven, while William, his authority flaking and peeling away with every scene, admits out loud to being a thief.
What sets Keep an eye on the witch 2015 apart from other horror films is its commitment to authenticity, with the dialogue being taken from actual historical documents from the time period. This attention to detail adds an extra layer of realism to the film, enhancing the sense of dread and foreboding. Keep an eye on the witch 2015 is a must-watch for horror enthusiasts who appreciate a well-crafted and thought-provoking film.
The Witch
"The Witch," a period drama/horror film by first-time writer/director Robert Eggers, tellingly advertises itself as "a New England folktale" instead of a fairy tale. Fairy tales are, at heart, parables that prescribe moral values. "The Witch," a feminist narrative that focuses on an American colonial family as they undergo what seems to be an otherworldly curse, is more like a sermon. Sermons pose questions that use pointedly allegorical symbols to make us reconsider our lives, just as one character uses the Book of Job to understand her role in her family (more on Job shortly). But "The Witch" is not a morality play in a traditional sense. It's an ensemble drama about a faithless family on the verge of self-destruction. And it is about women, and the patriarchal stresses that lead to their disenfranchisement.
For a while, it is unclear which character is exactly the focus of "The Witch." It's probably not grieving mother Katherine (Kate Dickie), though Eggers gives ample consideration to her mourning of infant son Samuel, who has disappeared under unusual circumstances. And it's definitely not Katherine's mischievous young twins Jonas and Mercy (Lucas Dawson and Ellie Grainger, respectively), though Mercy does often speak for her and her brother's inability to understand how the world works after their family is banished to a foreboding forest by a nearby colony. The film's main protagonist might be William (Ralph Ineson), Katherine's troubled husband. Or it could be her eldest son Caleb (Harvey Scrimshaw), a young man desperate to defend his father from his mother's frustration.
But more often than not, "The Witch" concerns Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), the eldest of Katherine and William's five children. Thomasin undergoes puberty under the mistrustful eyes of her family, but realistically, they're not too concerned with her when crops are failing, money is scarce, and Samuel is missing. Still, Thomasin absorbs the brunt of her family's anxieties: her younger siblings look to her for comfort, but she balks at the added pressure, especially after her mother makes her do more chores than the rest of her family members. There are other subplots in "The Witch," but all roads eventually lead to Thomasin. That's the dark beauty of Eggers's expansive story: it's not just about the marginalized presence of women in a male-dominated microcosm, but the harsh conditions that can, even under extremely isolated circumstances, lead women to resentment, and crippling self-doubt.
"The Witch" is, in that sense, an anti-parable. Eggers eventually leads Thomasin out of the woods, but he takes his time in clearing her path. The result sometimes feels like an imaginary Harold Pinter-scripted version of "The Crucible," since it follows desperate, lonely souls who do everything—set animal traps, milk goats, till the fields, do laundry—to avoid thinking about what's really troubling them. It takes a while for Thomasin's clan to even consider that their problems are caused by witch, or demonic enchantment. But it eventually happens. Before that, there are only signs and portents, particularly evil-looking animals: a tetchy goat, a twitchy hare, and some talkative crows. Eventually, Thomasin's family personify their fears of nature, a gnawing uncertainty that is predictably gendered as feminine. And suddenly, the family's day-to-day troubles—almost all of which stem from the fact that their land seems cursed—takes the form of a fairy tale witch.
AdvertisementWhich brings us back to Job. In the Book of Job, God hurts Job in order to test his faith. The reader knows that God exists, and has a divine, or perhaps just Mysterious, reason for trying Job. But until Job's body is plagued by God, he doesn't question that there is a reason for his torment. The same is basically true of William and his family. Until events lead his family to start clawing at each other's throats, he goes about his business as best he can. As a result, when you watch "The Witch," you often don't seem to know what the film is about. But the film's title is a big clue: this is a fantasy about empowerment, albeit through unorthodox methods.
I've talked a lot about what "The Witch" is about without mentioning how well it's about it. That's partly because the film is so consistently engrossing that I surrendered to it early on. Eggers' hyper-mannered camerawork draws you in by evoking Johannes Vermeer's portraits and the landscape paintings of Andrew Wyeth (there's also an overt reference to one of Francisco Goya's more famous paintings, but I can't tell you which one for fear of ruining a surprise). The complex sound design and controlled editing also help establish a mood that is (paradoxically) both inviting and somber. "The Witch" draws you in so well that you won't realize its creators have been broadcasting exactly where they're taking you.
Simon Abrams
Simon Abrams is a native New Yorker and freelance film critic whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Village Voice, and elsewhere.
Obviously, the night exteriors, we can't light with the moon with the Alexa Plus [a digital camera], but all the interiors are lit entirely with flame. I will say that historians would say [the characters are] burning way too many candles. That would have been very costly. But we needed a little bit more light.
With its unique setting, masterful direction, and compelling performances, it is undoubtedly one of the standout horror films of its time..
Reviews for "The Witch's Eternal Beauty: Keep an Eye on the Witch 2015"
1. John - 1/5 stars - "Keep an Eye on the Witch 2015 was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The plot made no sense and was all over the place. The characters were not developed properly, and it was hard to care about their fates. The acting was wooden, and the dialogue felt forced. Overall, it was a complete waste of time and money. I would not recommend this movie to anyone."
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for Keep an Eye on the Witch 2015, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story started promisingly, but it quickly became confusing and hard to follow. The pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on for too long while others were rushed. Additionally, the special effects were subpar and took away from the immersion. While the movie had potential, it ultimately failed to deliver a satisfying experience."
3. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Keep an Eye on the Witch 2015 was an absolute disaster. The acting was atrocious, with the actors delivering their lines in a robotic and uninspiring manner. The plot was convoluted and made no sense, leaving me feeling frustrated and disconnected from the story. The cinematography was also lackluster, with poorly lit scenes and awkward camera angles. Overall, it was a painful experience and one that I would not recommend to anyone."
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - "I can see that Keep an Eye on the Witch 2015 had an interesting concept, but unfortunately, the execution was lacking. The film had moments of potential, but they were overshadowed by the confusing and nonsensical plot. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to become invested in their journey. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and chaotic scenes. While I appreciated the effort, this movie was ultimately forgettable and left me feeling disappointed."