The Curse of the Witch Doll The curse of the witch doll is a supernatural phenomenon that has been the subject of many legends and stories throughout history. It is believed to be a curse placed on a specific doll, usually resembling a witch or a witch-like figure, which brings misfortune, illness, and even death to those who possess it. The origins of the curse of the witch doll can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where dolls were often used in rituals and believed to hold spiritual powers. In some cultures, these dolls were used to represent benevolent spirits and were believed to bring good luck and protection. However, somewhere along the line, the belief in the curse of the witch doll took hold. According to the legend, the curse of the witch doll can be activated by various means, such as touching the doll, owning it, or even just being in its presence.
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She becomes increasingly aware of a Victorian doll her daughter has taken a liking to that appears to be following her and begins to suspect the doll is possessed by the soul of a vengeful witch. So, with that in mind, I did try to stick to this with regards The Curse of the Witch s Doll 2017 , and not only because I was the one who chose to watch this screener I made the decision.
According to the legend, the curse of the witch doll can be activated by various means, such as touching the doll, owning it, or even just being in its presence. Once the curse is activated, the afflicted person may experience a range of unfortunate events, including unexplained accidents, illness, financial loss, and even the death of loved ones. Over the centuries, there have been numerous accounts of people claiming to have fallen victim to the curse of the witch doll.
The Curse of the Witch’s Doll (2017)
I try to make it a point never to openly roast films just for the fun of it; whatever I say about a project, I try to ask myself whether I’d be happy to say it in front of the filmmaker themselves, and I try really hard to remember that real people out there might have poured a lot of effort into their movie. So, with that in mind, I did try to stick to this with regards The Curse of the Witch’s Doll (2017), and not only because I was the one who chose to watch this screener – I made the decision. So all told, in this case I would definitely say these things in front of the people responsible for this film, and it turns out to be physically impossible to talk about it without an air of exasperation bordering on a good roast. To do otherwise would be worse than dishonest. Alright, so let’s get on with it.
We begin in England, 1660 – just in time to see a witch being dragged off to her demise, though having a quick word with a carved wooden doll just beforehand. Okay, this is the first place where I have to pause in disbelief. WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT THING? (Spoiler alert: that’s not the same doll used on the cover art.)
Although surviving dolls from that period are few in number, those that we do still have are fairly benign-looking, with ladylike faces and intricate costumes. The doll in this film looks like a cross between a Japanese Oni and something from Charles Band’s bin. Immediately the film looks to be heading in a Charles Band sort of direction, playing for laughs. We’re in trouble if it doesn’t, thought I, because it is entirely impossible to take this wild-eyed bauble at all seriously. No wonder the witch says she will “never forget”. Nor will I.
We then dart forward in time to 1942 – this film is nothing if not a tale for the ages – where Mrs Aveline Gray (Helen Crevel) and her perpetually-annoyed daughter Chloe (Layla Watts) are moving into a new, countryside home to escape World War II bombs. Erm, Chloe? A rare enough name for a child born in the late 1930s, but okay – she might be one of the few. Perhaps more surprising is that a lone mother and daughter could afford to move into what looks like a manor house, or how they happened upon it, but in any case, the landlord (Philip Ridout) shows them around. He must be competent at his job, in any case, as he manages to lease the property to them, despite that 17 th Century doll being sat at the window. Perhaps it’s a forerunner to the Ebay mentality, where people seem able to shift any old tat by saying it’s ‘haunted’. Or, perhaps he simply hasn’t noticed it, which would be strange for a landlord.
Well, Chloe takes a shine to the doll soon enough; it doesn’t stop her from hating their new home and pining for her missing soldier father however, and soon Adeline is getting spooked by the new place. She wants to leave, but Arthur dissuades her, reminding her that yet another move would be disadvantageous for her and Chloe. But then little Chloe goes missing in the woods, and a creepy disembodied voice tells Adeline that “the witch has her”. Adeline pleads with the local authorities to help her find her daughter, but weeks begin to pass and so she starts exploring the house – belatedly looking for some sort of clues as to Chloe’s whereabouts. Letters which she finds hidden in the house begin to show her that all is not as it seems. In fact, is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
A missing child is meant to be a cataclysmic event in a person’s life, but no one in this film seems massively bothered. To be fair, I feel that the cast are making an effort with what they’ve been given, but they come across as self-conscious, and certainly not expressive of any great concern – not the mother, not the detectives who pop in once or twice and do little else, and not the landlord either. You could possibly argue that as ‘things aren’t what they seem’ (yes, the film attempts THAT plot twist) then this is reflected in the performances, but actually I don’t think so – I’m not prepared to do the work here to justify what I’ve watched. Add to this a script rammed with stock phrases like “we’re doing all we can” and a bewildering array of lighting and sound problems, and it’s devilishly hard to suspend your disbelief. Additional attempts to add dramatic interest by changing tack invariably fall flat, because it’s not possible to believe in anything up until the point of the plot shift anyway.
Coming back to this issue with the suspension of disbelief, the plausibility of this film being set in the 1940s is pretty ropey from the first. It’s very difficult to create a viable period setting, and giving the lead actress victory rolls just isn’t enough. I’ve already alluded to the name issue; other characters sport buzzcut hairdos or other anachronisms, and the overall impression here is of someone who’s seen The Others and Shutter Island and thought they’d have a go at blending the two together. Then, there are other issues: the cliché door slamming, the obligatory husky-voiced supernatural forces and then the cavalier laughter of same, the obligatory ‘demon’ make-up which always looks identical, the endless flat-voiced talking, Crevel’s worsening mental state being represented to us by clumsy eye-bags being added in make-up… And then having the nerve to jump forward to yet another point in time, just to rub salt onto the death by a thousand cuts.
As a very young filmmaker is responsible for this film, I can only hope that The Curse of the Witch’s Doll is just the beginning of the road and that one day an older, wiser man will seek to bury it without trace. This simply isn’t good enough by any single measure I can think of, as a film fan who tends towards the forgiving. It’s thin, derivative and predictable throughout, it lacks research, budget or cogent ideas and the only thing it does well is show that making a good horror film isn’t as easy as some would have us believe.
The Curse of the Witch’s Doll is available on VOD from 6th February 2018.
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These stories often involve mysterious circumstances, such as sudden illnesses or accidents that occurred shortly after coming into possession of the cursed doll. Some even believe that the doll has the power to move on its own and wreak havoc in its surroundings. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the belief in the curse of the witch doll persists in many cultures. Some people take precautions to protect themselves from the curse by avoiding any contact with dolls resembling witches or by performing rituals to ward off the curse. In popular culture, the curse of the witch doll has become a recurring theme in horror movies and literature. It has captivated the imaginations of audiences, who are both intrigued and frightened by the idea of an inanimate object possessing such malevolent power. Whether the curse of the witch doll is real or simply a product of superstition and imagination, it continues to be a captivating topic that sparks fear and curiosity. The legends and stories surrounding the curse serve as a reminder of the power that beliefs can hold over our lives and the influence of the supernatural in our collective consciousness..
Reviews for "The Witch Doll Curse: Ancient Wisdom or Modern Superstition?"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Curse of the Witch Doll". The acting was subpar and the storyline felt cliché and unoriginal. The scares were predictable and lacked any suspense. Overall, it just felt like a waste of time and money. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a good horror movie.
2. Alex - 1 star - "Curse of the Witch Doll" was by far the worst horror movie I've ever seen. The plot made no sense and the characters were poorly developed. There were moments where the movie tried to be creepy, but it just came off as laughable. The special effects were also poorly done, making the whole movie look cheap. I regret watching this and would advise others to stay far away from it.
3. Mark - 2 stars - I went into "Curse of the Witch Doll" with high expectations, but sadly, it fell short. The pacing was off, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of dull dialogue. The scares were few and far between, and when they did happen, they were more silly than frightening. The ending was also unsatisfying and left me feeling underwhelmed. I would recommend skipping this one and finding a better horror movie to watch.
4. Jessica - 2.5 stars - While "Curse of the Witch Doll" had potential, it ultimately failed to deliver. The concept was interesting, but the execution fell flat. The acting was mediocre at best, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The scares were predictable and lacked any real originality. Overall, it was a forgettable horror movie that I wouldn't recommend to anyone seeking a truly terrifying experience.