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The Witch

Play trailer 2:31 Poster for The Witch R 2016 1h 32m Horror History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 338 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In 1630 New England, panic and despair envelops a farmer, his wife and their children when youngest son Samuel suddenly vanishes. The family blames Thomasin, the oldest daughter who was watching the boy at the time of his disappearance. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, twin siblings Mercy and Jonas suspect Thomasin of witchcraft, testing the clan's faith, loyalty and love to one another.
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The Witch

The Witch

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Critics Consensus

As thought-provoking as it is visually compelling, The Witch delivers a deeply unsettling exercise in slow-building horror that suggests great things for debuting writer-director Robert Eggers.

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Critics Reviews

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Britt Ashley Bitch Media Feb 10, 2021
Like any good horror film, The Witch is rife with opportunity for allegorical interpretation, and one of the most compelling narratives bubbling beneath surface is the origin story of America itself. Go to Full Review
Steven D. Greydanus Catholic Digest Apr 28, 2017
A
The stakes are real. The Devil is real. All roads do not lead up the mountain. Some lead to the heart of darkness, to the depths of a witch-haunted wood. Go to Full Review
Nigel Andrews Financial Times Dec 27, 2016
2/5
The film starts with wordy wittering and ends by trying to woo our shrieks -- from Arthur Miller to Dennis Wheatley in the shortest time possible between two blunt points. Go to Full Review
Trace Thurman Horror Queers Podcast Feb 23, 2026
5/5
Haunting, dread-inducing and horrifying, The Witch is an audacious debut for writer/director Robert Eggers. Go to Full Review
Kyle Logan Cultured Vultures Feb 19, 2026
A modern classic Go to Full Review
Joe Lipsett Horror Queers Podcast Feb 18, 2026
4/5
Robert Eggers' dedication to period accuracy is perfectly matched by spot-on performances in a slow burning chiller focused on the religious hysteria surrounding female power Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Sergio Oct 20, 2025 Brilliant film. Must watch on the big screen. See more Beckham S @beckhamstephenson 44 min ago The Witch is not your generic horror movie, often times, when you think horror, you think about shock horror and jump-scares. The Witch doesn't do that. It instead builds up a long discomfort, an unsettling atmosphere. And, to be honest, that didn't do it for me. The only intense thing I think The Witch gives you is waiting for the jump-scare to happen. Not to say that this movie isn't decent, though. It has pretty visuals, an indulgent atmosphere and some pretty smart symbolic scenes and lines. I think the most disturbing thing in this movie was the vaguely incestuous undertone that kept reappearing. It really just tries to unsettle you the best it can, but if you're looking for a movie that will scare the shit out of you, this isn't the one. I don't think it really succeeds as horror, but it's not a terrible film. I think it's worth watching so long as you're not expecting horror. Pretty movie, interesting vibes, gloomy atmosphere, just not scary. See more Brandon B @syncopatedbeet 2 days ago A very surreal and cerebral horror film. Feels like an old folk tale. See more Estela A @RT49545170 3 days ago Eu amei! Fiquei angustiada, imersa, e os atores são muito bons! Fiquei querendo mais. Quero o The VVitch Two See more Paul O @pjkeys 6 days ago A good horror movie that builds as you watch. Some of the more subtle points were not explained but I was able to fill in the gaps on Wikipedia. Good acting, even from the children. See more JOHNNIE J @John42240 Sep 6, 2026 Lots of historically accurate info but very little story. I totally expected more from the trailer. Leaves too much open for interpretation and ends up looking like a lot of random scenes. See more Read all reviews
The Witch

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The Witch

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1630 New England, panic and despair envelops a farmer, his wife and their children when youngest son Samuel suddenly vanishes. The family blames Thomasin, the oldest daughter who was watching the boy at the time of his disappearance. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, twin siblings Mercy and Jonas suspect Thomasin of witchcraft, testing the clan's faith, loyalty and love to one another.
Director
Robert Eggers
Producer
Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, Jodi Redmond, Daniel Bekerman, Rodrigo Teixeira
Screenwriter
Robert Eggers
Distributor
A24
Production Co
Parts and Labor
Rating
R (Graphic Nudity|Disturbing Violent Content)
Genre
Horror, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 19, 2016, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Apr 1, 2016
Release Date (Streaming)
May 17, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$25.1M
Runtime
1h 32m
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