Takes you to a dark place you don't want to leave

Rating: 7/10 (19 April 2016)

"The Witch" is not your usual horror, it's much solemn and morbid, yet true-to-nature interpretation of the grim era. Admittedly, this might not mesh well for those seeking a higher pace horror, and it's quite understandable with the peculiar premise, but it has an intense atmosphere and cripplingly disturbing moments.
A family is banished to a faraway land with little prospect. In there, they find that danger lurks outside their farm and also within their family. Props for the actors, including the children, who manage to create a timely sense of the period. It's not the same medieval type movie, first and foremost it's unapologetically dark.
The tension arrives as this family is constantly dealing with daily pressure with not all members having the same footing. It escalates into real threat as the occult talk is seeping into their minds. The eerie soundtracks add to this effect, it just brings a feeling of dread and uncomfortable air.
However, this presentation can present a couple of problems, one being it might alienate audience. The accent and slow burn are not for everyone, also it doesn't have a hook like more mainstream The Conjuring with clear narrative as it plays with a lot of analogies and the philosophy of the time.
"The Witch" is a polarizing horror with the peculiar and slow theme, however it definitely succeeds on what it sets to do, presenting an entirely dreadful experience in the woods.