Directed by
Robert Eggers
Made by
A24
The film opens in the 1630s New England, centering on William, the patriarch played by Ralph Ineson, who stands trial for heresy. He vehemently insists that those around him are false Christians, while the court accuses him of speaking against God. William’s family, which includes his wife Katherine, portrayed by Kate Dickie, their eldest daughter Thomasin, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, son Caleb, portrayed by Harvey Scrimshaw, and the twins Mercy and Jonas, set out to establish their own farm after being expelled from their New England plantation. The twins develop a peculiar friendship with a large black goat they name Black Phillip.
One fateful afternoon, while playing Peek-A-Boo with her baby brother Samuel, Thomasin tragically loses him. When she looks down, she finds that he has vanished. We then witness a chilling scene deep in the woods, where an ancient, haggard woman is seen preparing what seems to be Samuel’s remains before disappearing into the darkness. Katherine becomes heartbroken over the baby’s disappearance, believing that a wolf is responsible. As Caleb joins William for a hunt, he grows distracted by Thomasin’s burgeoning femininity and becomes haunted by the notion that their misfortunes are a punishment for sin.
During their hunting trip, William suffers an injury, which leads them back home where an enraged Katherine awaits. After an unsettling encounter at the river, where Mercy accuses Thomasin of witchcraft, the tension escalates. Thomasin, half-jokingly, claims to be a witch, terrifying Mercy with her words. With their crops failing, she and Caleb venture into the woods, only to become separated. Caleb stumbles upon a small, isolated cottage, leading to a disturbing encounter with a beautiful woman, played by Sarah Stephens, whose intentions are far from innocent.
Eventually, Thomasin finds Caleb in a vulnerable state, prompting the family to fear an evil presence is corrupting them. The children’s terrifying accusations against Thomasin ramp up to a point where even Katherine starts to believe them. As the family prays over an ailing Caleb, he succumbs to what seems like possession, ultimately dying with a smile, much to Thomasin’s horror.
Accusations fly, leading William to confine his surviving children in the barn with their goats. There, they witness a horrifying sight involving a pale figure and blood, causing sheer terror. Meanwhile, Katherine, convinced of Thomasin’s culpability, approaches what she believes to be Caleb, only to find herself ensnared in a gruesome illusion.
The following day, with the goats slaughtered and the twins missing, a chaotic confrontation occurs between Thomasin and William, which leads to a tragic end for Katherine. In a fit of rage and desperation, Thomasin kills her mother, only to seek solace in a dark pact with Black Phillip. When she finally encounters him, she strips herself of inhibitions, drawn into the woods where she finds a coven of witches, all engaged in an ecstatic dance around a fire. Amidst the chaos, Thomasin embraces the darkness and ascends, floating high above the trees, fully accepting her fate.
William's Trial
In the 1630s New England, William stands trial for heresy. He passionately defends his views, stating that those around him are not true Christians, while the court accuses him of blasphemy.
Exile from Plantation
After being expelled from their New England plantation, William's family starts anew by establishing their own farm. The family includes his wife Katherine, their daughter Thomasin, and their other children.
Loss of Samuel
While playing Peek-A-Boo with her baby brother Samuel, Thomasin tragically loses him. The scene shifts, and a mysterious old woman is seen in the woods with what appears to be Samuel's remains.
Katherine's Grief
Katherine deeply mourns the loss of her baby Samuel, convinced that a wolf was responsible for his disappearance. Her sorrow amplifies the family's tensions and fears.
Hunting Trip
Caleb joins William for a hunting trip, but he becomes distracted by Thomasin's growing femininity and starts questioning if their hardships are punishments for their sins.
Injury and Tension
During the hunting trip, William suffers an injury, prompting Caleb and him to return home. There, they face Katherine's wrath, exacerbating the family's distrust and fear.
Accusations of Witchcraft
Tensions peak when Mercy accuses Thomasin of witchcraft after an unsettling incident by the river. In a moment of desperation, Thomasin jokingly claims to be a witch, instilling fear in Mercy.
Caleb's Disturbance
With their crops failing, Thomasin and Caleb venture into the woods where they become separated. Caleb discovers a cottage and encounters a beautiful woman with sinister intentions.
Caleb's Downfall
Thomasin finds Caleb in a highly vulnerable state, which alarms the family and triggers fear of an evil presence corrupting them. Caleb succumbs to a mysterious ailment that seems like possession.
Family's Desperation
Following Caleb's death, William confines the surviving children in the barn, where they witness a horrific vision involving blood and a pale figure. The family's grip on sanity begins to unravel.
Katherine's Illusion
Katherine, driven by grief and anger, approaches what she believes to be Caleb. Instead, she falls into a gruesome illusion, further indicating the family's unraveling reality.
Confrontation and Tragedy
Confusion escalates and leads to a chaotic confrontation between Thomasin and William. In a tragic outcome, Thomasin kills Katherine during a fit of rage, forever changing her fate.
Deal with Black Phillip
In her despair, Thomasin seeks solace and makes a dark pact with the black goat, Black Phillip. This moment symbolizes her ultimate surrender to her dark fate and the crumbling family.
Coven Encounter
Thomasin finds herself in the woods after her pact, where she stumbles upon a coven of witches engaged in a frenetic dance around a fire. This encounter cements her acceptance of darkness.
Ascension
In a climactic moment, Thomasin embraces the chaos and ascends, floating above the trees. This transformation marks her complete acceptance of her fate and the culmination of her horrific journey.
William
William is the patriarch of the family, portrayed as a staunch believer who is unwilling to conform to societal expectations. He is fiercely protective of his family but struggles under the weight of his convictions, leading to desperation and tragedy. His refusal to acknowledge the influence of fear and superstition ultimately contributes to the family's doom.
Thomasin
Thomasin, the eldest daughter, navigates the tumultuous waters of adolescence amidst family strife and suspicion. As she grapples with her emerging femininity and the weight of her family's accusations, she transforms from a dutiful daughter to a figure of darkness. Her character arc sharply illustrates the conflict between innocence and the allure of power.
Katherine
Katherine embodies grief and desperation in the wake of her family's misfortunes. Her heartbreak over the loss of her infant son leads her to irrational behavior, ultimately clouding her judgment. As a mother driven by fear, she becomes increasingly dangerous and paranoid, driving a wedge between her and Thomasin.
Caleb
Caleb represents the struggle between childhood innocence and adult fears. As he faces the shame of growing up and navigating his feelings toward Thomasin, he becomes a victim of the family's unraveling sanity. His tragic fate highlights the consequences of societal pressures on the youth.
Black Phillip
Black Phillip serves as a complex symbol of temptation and the unexplained darkness that lurks within the family. Initially a source of companionship, he ultimately embodies evil, leading Thomasin toward a path of embracing witchcraft. His character blurs the line between innocence and malevolence.
Time period
1630s
The 1630s were marked by religious persecution and the search for freedom among various groups in colonial America. In this period, Puritanical values were strong, leading to an environment rife with suspicion and conflict. The societal pressures of conforming to strict beliefs often resulted in tragic outcomes for those who defied the norms.
Location
New England
The film is set in 1630s New England, a region characterized by its dense and foreboding woods that symbolize mystery and danger. This isolated rural landscape is known for its superstitions and strict religious beliefs, creating an atmosphere of tension and paranoia. The family's struggle to establish their own farm reflects the early colonial challenges faced by many during this time.
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Witchcraft
Witchcraft is a central theme in 'The Witch', embodying the fear of the unknown and the societal obsession with sin and morality. As the tensions within the family rise, accusations of witchcraft become a tool of scapegoating, showcasing the dangers of paranoia. The theme culminates in Thomasin's embrace of witchcraft, revealing the powerful allure of darkness amidst oppression.
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Family Disruption
The disintegration of family bonds under pressure is a poignant theme in the film. The loss of trust and love among family members leads to devastating consequences, ultimately resulting in tragedy. Each character's descent into fear and blame highlights how external pressures can fracture familial relationships.
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