Va-Va-Va-VVitch!!!!

Rating: 9/10 (27 February 2016)

THE VVITCH (2016) A Review by JP February 27, 2016 9 Evil Goats (out of 10)
Since I've caught half-hate over my love of "The Babadook", bear in mind I enter each film (particularly horror), with a clean slate, an open mind, and a willingness to be scared. More often than not, I leave disappointed. That was not the case with this indie epic horror film that exudes with Kubrickesque qualities, most eloquently in the cinematography & music. I heard haunting hymns from "The Shining" while my partner heard "2001: A Space Odyssey". In every single frame, a composition by which a photography class could be taught. The lighting was exceptional and imbibed the overall mood of dread that amassed throughout an expertly-paced 90-minute runtime. Truly disturbing situations arise. Though tastefully done, the imagery is sure to sustain long after leaving the theater. I could feel the anxiety from the handful of others in the theater with us. I could not tell if they were impatient by the 10-15 extra seconds that would typically be cut from modern forms of horror or the unsettling images just out of sight but definitely not out of mind. Once the 10 distributor logos cleared the screen (which gave me a deeper appreciation from the get-go the many trials this gem had to traverse in order to craft success), much like my favorite Kubrick picks, my eyes would not dare leave the screen. This dark historical piece, genuinely creepy to the point of traumatizing, actually scary when the time was right, and acted with a maturity void from so many films nowadays, especially child actors. Summarized credit where it is duly-earned, in order of noteworthiness (cast first): Anya Taylor-Joy, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ralph Ineson, Katie Dickie, (& crew) composer Mark Korven, Jarin Blaschke's Oscar-worthy eye for the light, also kudos to the dozen+ producers, including Chris Columbus (Home Alone, Harry Potters 1 & 2), and writer/director Robert Eggers. What a memorable, nightmarish cinematic experience!