The Witch was released in 2015, and was directed by Robert Eggers in his directorial debut. The Witch stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, and Kate Dickie, and follows a Puritan family who encounters an unknown evil in the forest behind their farm. I watched this film quite a bit when it first came out because I just loved everything about it. I wish it was a little higher on the list, but the top five I have were just that good in my opinion.
The first thing I always like to point out in this film is the lighting. Eggers used only the natural lighting in the scene to give it a more authentic look. Entire scenes are lit just by candlelight, while other scenes only show the light from the sun, and others are in near complete darkness. The authentic lighting brings a new kind of immersion to the film, and I really love and respect that. The acting in this film is ridiculously good. There is one scene where the child named Caleb, played by Harvey Scrimshaw, gives one of the most haunting scenes from a child actor I have ever seen. Not only does he knock it out of the park, every single actor in this film is so convincing that it never once took me out of the experience. This film builds up a lot of tension, and creates a dreadful atmosphere that sticks with you after the initial run time. There is also an unsettling voice that is heard towards the end of the film, and that alone can give you nightmares. Even the dialogue that is spoken brings a new aspect of immersion. The film is set in 1630, so the characters talk in an older English style. The idea of the witch itself is ambiguous as well, allowing the audience to decide for themselves whether it exists or not. This film relies on a heavy atmosphere and a sense of anxiety and dread to carry the horror, and that is probably why I like it so much.
The one thing I will warn anyone against is the older English way of speaking. Personally, I love it and think it is extremely creative and shows a dedication and love to the craft of film making. Just go in ready to pay attention to their dialogue.
The Witch is one of my favorite horror films to watch for Halloween, and probably one of my all-time favorite movies. Please give this one a watch. This is a great slow burn, anxiety filled horror film that has some great religious undertones. I recommend watching this film in complete darkness, if you can handle it that is.