If you are into filmmaking watch this film. If you want to be entertained look elsewhere

Rating: 5/10 (9 March 2016)

The cinematography and the acting are amazing! Truly amazing. The sets, costuming, and props are magnificent. If you are a filmmaker, this flick is worth your time. You can tell that they are going for subtlety in the story, and it ends up being too subtle. Split between dramatic family dynamics, and the fear of a witch in the woods, the threads for tension are found and abandoned too quickly to give you a real thrill. It feels like they got written into a corner, so they take a left turn at the end of the 3rd act of the film, abruptly tying up "loose ends" subsequently leaving you with a "twist" that is so outside the scope of the world that has been created that it isn't even fun or shocking. It ends up feeling like you sat through a long period drama, and then got rushed through to the end without getting any impact. They talked about wanting the set and the props and all of the production design to be its own character, and unfortunately that does not come through. Yes, it is a beautiful and authentic backdrop, but it doesn't do much in the way of putting you deeper in the story. It's just a pretty set. I wanted my blood to curdle, I wanted to be creeped out, I wanted to feel like there was an air of mystery somewhere with a big reveal. Unfortunately this film has none of that. I've never seen such a flat story told with such stunning visuals.