The Witch (2015)

Robert Eggers’ The Witch (stylized as The VVitch: A New-England Folktale) is a chilling, atmospheric psychological horror film that explores themes of religious paranoia, isolation, and the breakdown of a family under supernatural (and possibly psychological) pressure. Set in 1630s New England, it’s as much a period drama as it is a horror movie, using historically accurate language, customs, and Puritan fears to build a sense of dread. Below is an in-depth look at every major aspect of the film.

Detailed Summary

The Banishment

The story begins with a devoutly Christian family being exiled from a Puritan plantation due to the father’s (William, played by Ralph Ineson) disagreements with church doctrine. The family—William, his wife Katherine (Kate Dickie), and their children Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), Caleb, twins Mercy and Jonas, and infant Samuel—settles near the edge of a dark forest, building a new home and trying to survive in complete isolation.

The Disappearance of Samuel

Soon after settling, while playing peekaboo with her infant brother, Thomasin looks away for a split second—and Samuel vanishes. It’s later revealed that he was abducted by a witch living in the forest, who kills him and uses his body for ritualistic purposes. This moment marks the turning point from eerie period drama to supernatural horror.

Caleb’s Descent

As the family struggles to cope with grief and dwindling resources, their paranoia deepens. Caleb, the eldest son, becomes increasingly curious about sin and salvation. One day, he ventures into the woods with Thomasin and becomes lost. He eventually encounters the witch, disguised as a beautiful woman, who seduces and presumably kills him. Caleb later returns to the family home naked and delirious, eventually dying in an apparent demonic seizure after a disturbing and ecstatic monologue that seems both religious and blasphemous.

The Accusations

The tension in the family escalates. The twins begin accusing Thomasin of witchcraft, while Thomasin, in turn, claims they talk to their goat, Black Phillip. William, unable to discern the truth and desperate to reassert control, locks Thomasin and the twins in the goat shed. That night, the witch appears again, along with Black Phillip.

Death and Madness

The next morning, William finds the goat shed destroyed. He’s immediately gored to death by Black Phillip. Katherine, driven mad by grief and possibly supernatural influence, attacks Thomasin in a blind rage. In self-defense, Thomasin kills her mother with a billhook. Alone and bloodied, Thomasin finally sits in silence before venturing into the barn.

Movie Ending

After the death of her entire family, Thomasin—now utterly alone and with nothing left—confronts Black Phillip. She speaks to him, asking him to talk. At first, there’s silence. Then, in one of the film’s most iconic moments, Black Phillip answers in a deep, seductive voice:
“Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?”
He tempts her with the promise of freedom, worldly pleasures, and power. Thomasin accepts.

She removes her clothes, walks into the forest, and joins a coven of witches dancing and levitating around a fire. As she ascends into the air with them, she begins to laugh—possibly in ecstasy, madness, liberation, or all of the above.

The ending is deliberately ambiguous: Is it all in Thomasin’s mind? Was the devil real all along? Either way, the film closes on a haunting image of liberation through damnation.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Witch does not feature a post-credits scene. The film ends definitively with Thomasin’s ascension and does not offer any epilogue, teaser, or additional material after the credits. The final image is meant to linger and haunt the viewer.

Type of Movie

The Witch is a psychological horror and folk horror film with strong elements of historical drama. It avoids traditional jump scares and instead builds slow, creeping dread through atmosphere, character conflict, and religious paranoia.

Cast

• Anya Taylor-Joy as Thomasin
• Ralph Ineson as William
• Kate Dickie as Katherine
• Harvey Scrimshaw as Caleb
• Ellie Grainger as Mercy
• Lucas Dawson as Jonas
• Bathsheba Garnett as The Witch
• Wahab Chaudhry as Black Phillip (voice)

Film Music and Composer

The film’s eerie, discordant score was composed by Mark Korven. Instead of melodic themes, the music uses abrasive strings, choral moaning, and minimalist motifs to create an oppressive, unsettling mood that mirrors the family’s descent into despair.

Filming Locations

The Witch was filmed primarily in Ontario, Canada, in Kiosk and Mattawa. Director Robert Eggers insisted on building the family’s homestead using only 17th-century tools and materials to preserve authenticity. The remote forested setting plays a crucial role in the film, emphasizing the family’s isolation and vulnerability.

Awards and Nominations

• Sundance Film Festival 2015 – Best Director: Robert Eggers (won)
• Independent Spirit Awards – Best First Feature (won)
• Gotham Awards – Breakthrough Actor: Anya Taylor-Joy (nominated)
• Nominated for Best Horror Film at the Saturn Awards
• Multiple critic circles and horror festivals praised it as one of the best horror films of the decade

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Robert Eggers spent four years researching 17th-century Puritan beliefs and language. Much of the dialogue comes directly from real historical texts.
• The film’s unsettling realism is partly due to shooting in natural light or candlelight, adding authenticity.
• The goat who played Black Phillip was notoriously difficult to work with, often attacking cast members, including Ralph Ineson.
• Anya Taylor-Joy has said the film was emotionally intense and deeply personal for her, as it was her breakout role.

Inspirations and References

• Based heavily on Puritan folklore, diaries, and trial records from the 1600s.
• Inspired by witch hysteria, particularly the Salem Witch Trials.
• Robert Eggers has cited classic horror films like The Shining and The Wicker Man as influences.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no known alternate endings, but Eggers mentioned that some scenes showing more of the family’s daily life were trimmed to maintain pacing. The ending was always intended to be ambiguous but definitive in tone.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film is not based on a novel, but its script and style borrow heavily from historical texts and primary sources. Eggers aimed for a dramatization of real 17th-century fears and superstitions rather than a fictional narrative with modern embellishments.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Samuel’s disappearance during peekaboo.
• Caleb’s seductive encounter with the witch and his ecstatic death.
• The scene where Black Phillip finally speaks.
• The final sequence where Thomasin joins the witches in the forest.

Iconic Quotes

• “Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?” – Black Phillip
• “Speaketh to me!” – Thomasin, pleading with Black Phillip
• “There is no wilderness like to the purity of the soul.” – William
• “I am that very witch.” – Thomasin (in a moment of rage or revelation)

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The twins’ connection to Black Phillip subtly suggests they were under his influence long before the final scene.
• The film’s title uses “VV” instead of “W” as a nod to 17th-century typesetting.
• The presence of rabbits in the film often coincides with the witch’s influence; in folklore, witches were believed to take the form of hares.
• Many shots mimic classical paintings and religious art to underscore the spiritual themes.

Trivia

• Robert Eggers was a production designer before becoming a director.
• The goat (Charlie) broke Ralph Ineson’s ribs during filming.
• Anya Taylor-Joy was cast after her very first film audition.
• Eggers originally intended the film to be even more experimental but was persuaded to make it more accessible.
• Black Phillip became a minor horror icon and even inspired memes and merchandise.

Why Watch?

If you enjoy slow-burn horror that relies on atmosphere, historical authenticity, and psychological tension rather than cheap scares, The Witch is essential viewing. It’s deeply unsettling, thematically rich, and features a breakout performance by Anya Taylor-Joy. It also rewards repeat viewings, revealing new layers of meaning and symbolism each time.

Director’s Other Movies

• The Lighthouse (2019)
• The Northman (2022)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Hereditary (2018)
• The Babadook (2014)
• The Wicker Man (1973)
• Midsommar (2019)
• The Lighthouse (2019)
• The Others (2001)
• It Comes at Night (2017)