I saw The Witch the night before its official release date and it did so much to me. I love witches and not since the television show, Salem, have I been so moved by a witch tale that not only terrifies but makes you fear them in the way you should. Many times, they are portrayed as too hokey or over the top, takes me out of it and searching for something more deserving and just.

I think HitFix said it right when their banner review on the trailer read: It feels like we're watching something we should not be seeing."

It is exactly how I felt and exactly how you should feel watching an authentic witch film. I immediately reverted back to the history of the Salem Witch Trials and the issue of accusation versus proof, hysteria and delusion versus supernatural. I liked that these issues could not be confused in this telling.
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I'll warn you that the atrocities of this movie come few and far between. I am assuming atrocities are good things to you in the context of horror films. The suspense is built up as realistically as it can be creating a feeling of living in each of those moments. I'm reading a lot of reviews now that I've seen the movie, where people are upset, basically about zero jump scares or the type of fleeting blockbuster film making that takes away from what this film is trying to do. I'll warn you again, that if you're looking for something with instant gratification, some type of false death grip that leaves you after you leave the theater. This isn't for you. If you want something that stays with you long after the credits roll. Stay with me.

I love the pacing, I love the second guessing and I love the fire that draws me closer. Follow the voices. I was absolutely spellbound. Please, see it.  

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I never knew a scary movie could make me feel so emotional, enlightened and nervous all at once. This Austrian horror film does many things in terms of  real depictions of body dysmorphia, torture, psychosis and irreparable grief. There isn't one scene you can watch and fully trust until you reach the end. An effective technique for a film like this. One that doesn't rely much on over the top CGI or intense gore. It kept me watching and seeking to understand. I fell partial to the peculiar, yet close relationship between twin brothers, Elias and Lukas. Maybe because I am a twin myself, I get the camaraderie, the looking out for each other and the undeniable bond. We see them interact together against beautiful scenic backdrops. They like chasing each other through cornfields, swimming in rivers, exploring caves. They really love catching bugs. Although, as close to the earth as they seem, it becomes glaringly obvious from their impressive home, they come from privilege, they live in a very modern home, state of the art environment. This idea of materialism continues when their mother returns from a cosmetic procedure, her entire face bandaged, she is physically unrecognizable to Elias and Lukas. We are unaware of why she's had the surgery, but her behavior towards the boys is cold. Even colder still towards Lukas. The boys begin to wonder if this is their mother at all.

​Now that I've set this up a little better, you have to know how moved I am by something that seems like such a simple plot before it unravels into a story about coping and disbelief. Doing what you have to do.
Touching on the dysmorphia a bit I really love the dichotomy of plastic surgery and the presence of identical twins, I think it says a lot. Dysmorphia deals with seeing  things that aren't there, no sense of self. In fact, you see yourself in negative ways that may not exist. I like how this movie brings in identical twins and the fact that the mere presence of 2 seemingly identical beings would perhaps wipe away any dysmorphia, if only the for the fact that someone exists, who looks exactly like you. There is a constant reminder that may or may not possibly help remembrance of these facts. This is something I picked up more in terms of mirror imaging and the way someone with body dysmorphia may see themselves and grow resentful. It's something to ponder but I like that this movie even makes me think of it.

I'm never about spoilers because I always hope you read these reviews and go out and watch the movies for yourselves. Here are my clues: Pay attention to all the decor in the house and the difference by the mother in behavior towards the twins. These were the 2 observations I most enjoyed attempting to decipher so hope you do too. Let me know what you thought!

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​Arnold Schwarzenegger's daughter, Maggie, is bitten by a zombie and this strain of virus presents itself in 6-8 weeks of infection instead of almost instantly, as most zombie movies depict. This way the audience gets to witness the change as a devastating disease and humanizes the zombie virus in a real way.  A father trying to prolong the time he has with his daughter before the inevitable happens. Here's what I like about this movie:

First, all the zombies are convincing and each time we encounter them it's poignant, moving and terrifying. Reminds me of how well The Walking Dead handles emotional zombie scenes, but Maggie goes deeper. Abigail Breslin plays the title character, portraying a typical teenager facing typical coming of age situations. Issues with parents, dating dilemmas and physical changes. The balance of her teenage experiences paired with her physical deterioration from the zombie virus is harrowing and heartbreaking to watch.
 
When Maggie's friend gets her out of the house to chill at a party, we learn more about what happens to the victims inflicted with the zombie virus and then understand why Maggie's father is increasingly determined to keep her safe. I think this movie is exactly what the horror genre needs. Maggie is a fresh contribution to the zombie movie collection that plays on many of the situational stories (still very awesome) we see time and again. 


I also want to say I have not seen Schwarzenegger in a better role since TERMINATOR. But seriously, he is excellent in this. Go see it!

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