Film fans may be familiar with the recent success of Robert Eggers hit film Nosferatu, but the acclaimed director’s debut release is considered to be a cult classic in the horror genre. Released in 2015 as A24’s breakout horror hit, The Witch (or The VVitch: A New-England Folktale, if you want to get specific) is a slow-burn, atmospheric thriller that has quietly grown into a cult classic – and for good reason.
With eerie visuals, unnerving tension, and one unforgettable goat, The Witch isn’t your typical jump-scare horror flick. Written and directed by Eggers, this film is actually a New England folktale set in 1630 that follows a devout Christian family who’ve been exiled from their colony over religious disagreements. They set up a farm near a dark and looming forest, and from the start, things feel off.
Their crops fail, tensions rise, and worst of all, their baby son vanishes without a trace during a game of peekaboo with the eldest daughter, Thomasin (played by a then-unknown Anya Taylor-Joy). From there, the family begins to unravel, both psychologically and spiritually.
The Witch wasn’t universally loved at first and some horror fans expecting a more traditional scary movie were confused.
However, critics were impressed with the film, comparing it to the likes of The Shining and The Crucible. It holds a strong 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 84 on Metacritic.
The Witch was applauded for its slow build-up and some truly haunting scenes. One of the haunting scenes involves their pet goat, Black Phillip – who, spoiler alert – turns out to be far more than just a farm animal.
The film’s final scene has become legendary, and only those who have seen it truly understand how iconic the phrase ‘Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?’ has become.
Over time, The Witch has achieved cult classic status, often cited among the best horror films of the 2010s.
Entertainment Weekly included it in their list of top horror movies of the decade, praising its “unnervingly moody” atmosphere and Taylor-Joy’s breakout performance.
Critics even stated that the film joins the ranks of horror films such as The Exorcist, The Omen, and Rosemary’s Baby.
Meanwhile, Stephen King also Tweeted his praise for the film, writing: “The Witch scared the hell out of me. And it’s a real movie, tense and thought-provoking as well as visceral.”
One audience member wrote on Rotten Tomatoes: “One of the most memorable horror movies. Really depressing but I liked it.”
Another said: “My eyes were glued to the screen for most of the movie. Dark and eerie with a masterful dialogue, and a plot that twists and turns in the most satisfying ways.”
Meanwhile, one reviewer wrote: “A masterpiece. Robert Eggers is now my favorite director of all time,” while another commented “Amazing!!, the best horror movie I’ve ever seen. Robert Eggers is a genius.”
Robert Eggers went on to make The Lighthouse and The Northman.