The Devil’s in the Details: The Witch (2015)

Screen Cares

In our second installment of Screen Scares, host Sarah describes how the brilliantly detailed writer and director of The Witch (2015), Robert Eggers, created a world that was terrifying for its inhabitants and audience because it presented a reality as it was without Hollywood embellishments. Co-host Jennie lends her on-brand astute insight and perspective to the unique way that The Witch (2015) also allows the audience to move beyond just feelings of fear and entertainment, but embrace a deeper empathy for the characters and the real-life history that they represented.

For those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please visit this link for the transcript of this episode of Screen Cares: Episode Transcript

Screen Shares Rating:

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Screen Sparks:

1. Do you like to rewatch movies that really scared you? What do you think the benefit is of rewatching a movie that made you feel uncomfortable, scared, nervous?
2. The VVitch, like many movies about witchcraft, focus on a period of time in history. If we know how the story ends, why do we like seeing this play out time and time again in movies?
3. The VVitch is an obvious example of fine filmmaking, and of a cautionary tale. What do you think the message/moral of the story is?

After the Credits Roll-Links Referenced during the show:

Written and Directed by Robert Eggers

• More details on how Robert Eggers used historical documentation to create The VVitch:

https://www.indiewire.com/2016/02/how-robert-eggers-used-real-historical-accounts-to-create-his-horror-sensation-the-witch-67882/

• Fascinating interview with costume designer Linda Muir:

https://brightlightsfilm.com/dressing-witch-interview-costume-designer-linda-muir/#.Yy9sCS2B35k

• Linda Muir’s website:

http://www.lindamuircostumedesign.com/865004006353

• A bit of history about the Salem Witch Trials:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-brief-history-of-the-salem-witch-trials-175162489/

• Because Sarah and Jennie can’t talk about New England without referencing Plimoth…:

https://plimoth.org

…except for when they reference Salem, MA:

https://www.salem.org

• Jennie brought up a great point about how historical horror movies are an especially effective and scary genre. Here are some other historical horror movie options (check out #2 on the list):

https://filmschoolrejects.com/historical-horror-movies/2/

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