Let's get this out of the way, The Witch is a horror film, you can put it in all of your other subcategories but, at its very core--it's a genre film whether you feel comfortable with the classification or not.
This film covers the horrors of colonialism, emigration, religious conviction, starvation, witch trials, patriarchy, puberty, loss, and if methodically exposing each of these very horrifying real life tribulations isn't terrifying and alarming enough, there's a god damn witch and evil goat for good measure.
[I'm not trying to be sardonic, but many others have written think-pieces on why a general audience refuses to label a good film horror, google it and you'll find a bunch of people who were actually paid to explore this common misconception.]
The Witch slowly builds to a chaotic conclusion, morbidly grooming Thomasin's family to turn against her, to leave her desperate and broken by the end, vulnerable to influence, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I loved everything about this movie, from the period-appropriate dialogue to brilliant performances from the entire cast (including the children who so often hinder a film and real life). The stunning cinematography, locations, and gloomy atmosphere were more than enough to hook me into this New England folkmare and I would love for Robert Eggers to tell me bedtime stories any night of the week. I am excited to watch this film again, I am excited for whatever Eggers decides to do next and I am so glad a film was finally able to capture a day in my witchy, deep forest hag life.
