Movie 5 of 12, "The Witch" bewitches completely. (And in all the correct 'wrong' ways. This is not lite or silly fare, but rather the genuine article and accurate period fare.)
From second one/scene one, it casts its spell well, and the audience was riveted from start to finish, jumping and squealing in all the right spots, and bracing and twitching for what might come next, and boy does it!
Based largely on actual 17th century New England folklore, diaries, journals, and court testimony, the film feels very "Salem Witch Trials," and everything about it is excellent and creepy fun, from costumes and set design and musical score to writing (dialogue) and direction and acting.
The dialogue alone makes the film worthwhile, sounding so historically authentic. They went to great efforts here, and it pays off in spades.
Color me entranced by the whole, perfectly unsettling affair.
The cast really is perfect, from children to adults, and several key players—including the star—were in attendance tonight, along with the director, for a lively Q&A, despite the late hour.
This film will play very well in wide release, and will do more than 'freak out' those moviegoers with weak constitutions. As it should.
https://bit.ly/1yRcNau
