A cerebral horror film - takes you to another time....

Rating: 6/10 (20 May 2016)

I wasn't sure what to expect from such polarized reviews. However, I enjoyed this movie. You will need to watch it in closed caption unless you have the ears of a bat or are used to pilgrim-speak.
You instantly feel for this family as they are thrust out of their community and thrown into isolation (echoes of The Village). They pray thanks for their meager scraps of bread at dinner and do the best they can while slowly descending into madness (echoes of The Shining). Could be witchcraft, could be the poison corn, could be cabin fever - you will need to watch it to find out.
As the story builds, the family begins to fall apart and turn on one another, as they think the eldest daughter to be a witch. However, we learn it is not all in their minds, as Caleb has an "encounter" with a beautiful witch that the daughter is unaware even exists. This eventually leads to the boys dementia and demise as the evil destroys him from the inside out (echoes of The Exorcist).
The family descends further into madness. Not only are they struggling in the wilderness, they now no longer can trust one another. The scene where Thomasine's own mother spits hateful accusations at her is heartbreaking.
For those of you complaining about all of the religious talk - DUH - they were Puritans! This was a great movie, but left me feeling uneasy afterward, and quite somber. But if you are a horror movie aficionado, you should see this.