Could have been much better

Rating: 2/10 (23 February 2016)

This movie was disjointed and disappointing. The existence of the "witch of the woods" was given away too early. Seriously, there was no mystery at all after about 8 minutes. Opportunities to expound upon sex roles (primarily suspicion of women) and religion were missed. The final scene was absolutely ridiculous and unnecessary (inapt comparisons to The Shining and other movies be damned) and the final 7-10 seconds of nothing but a black screen, repeating a theme that led the audience to expect more, was intellectually insulting. The score was often times inexplicable (dramatic music accompanying long shots of the forest from afar). Also, there isn't any consistent underlying point to the story. Most importantly, primarily as the result of the early reveal, it just wasn't scary at all.
That's the bad stuff. There is also good stuff. The acting was first rate, especially the children - specifically Thomasin and Caleb. The costumes, sets and scenery were excellent. The depiction of 1630 America and the people was entirely believable and well executed. In spite of the previously mentioned flaws, the director did a reasonably good job of ratcheting suspense and manufacturing dread.
To me this was a period piece about an unprepared family led by a less than competent husband under duress. There was also a poorly managed side story about a witch who quite literally lives in the woods, communicates with Satan and feels the bizarre need to mess with people's livestock and sacrifice babies. That last scene. Seriously. I have yet to read a sound justification for it that I can believe. What was the point?