The witch director is a term used to describe a filmmaker who specializes in creating horror films centered around witches and witchcraft. These directors often have a unique perspective on the genre and bring their own artistic vision to their movies. Some famous witch directors include Dario Argento, who is known for his stylish and visually stunning horror films such as "Suspiria." The film revolves around a prestigious dance academy run by a coven of witches. Argento's use of vibrant colors and surreal imagery creates a haunting and atmospheric experience for the audience. Another notable witch director is Robert Eggers, who gained critical acclaim for his debut film "The Witch.
Robert Eggers 'Can't Stand' His Breakout Film The Witch Now
"The Lighthouse" and "The Northman" filmmaker Robert Eggers broke out with "The Witch," a movie most directors would love to have on their resume, especially as their feature-length debut. It's also a film that Eggers admits he really doesn't like to watch now, in the same way that creative folk in any field tend to be extra hard on their earlier work.
Released in 2016, "The Witch" centers on a 17th-century Puritan family who find themselves in the crosshairs of a baby-napping witch and other dark forces upon being banished from their New England colony. It's an eerie, atmospheric folk-horror film that snagged Eggers a directing award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. It would go on to become a box office hit and a critical darling, though audiences were harder on the movie after A24's bait-and-switch trailer marketing left them expecting a very different horror-thriller than the one they got.
Eggers and "The Witch" star Anya Taylor-Joy have since reunited for "The Northman," a Viking revenge epic loosely based on the ancient Norse legend that is said to have inspired "Hamlet." It's a much bigger movie than Eggers' first two outings as a director, with a price tag coming in at a rumored $90 million (as opposed to $4 million for "The Witch") and a general vibe that recalls 1982's "Conan the Barbarian." John Milius' pulpy fantasy-adventure is even cited as one of Eggers' childhood favorites in an interview he gave to The Guardian to promote his Nordic thriller.
Another notable witch director is Robert Eggers, who gained critical acclaim for his debut film "The Witch." The movie is set in 17th century New England and follows a family plagued by a witch living in the nearby woods. Eggers's meticulous attention to historical accuracy and his exploration of themes such as religious paranoia make "The Witch" a standout film in the witch genre.
Eggers wasn't able to get 'what was in my brain on to the screen'
Reflecting on his past also gave Eggers a chance to talk about "The Witch" and explain why he doesn't look back fondly on his "New England Folktale" (as the film is subtitled):
"Honestly, I can't stand watching 'The Witch' now. It's not that it's bad, and the performances are great, but I was not skilled enough as a filmmaker to get what was in my brain on to the screen. In 'The Lighthouse,' I was able to do that. And 'The Northman,' I'm proud of the movie, but not everything is quite what I hoped it would be. So I would like to do something with the scope and scale that I can actually get what's in my imagination on to the screen."
As someone in a creative field, I empathize with Eggers' inclination to be hard on himself, especially when it comes to his feature debut. Like so many movies by first-time directors (Eggers' short films aside), "The Witch" wears its influences on its sleeves, from Stanley Kubrick's chilling movie adaptation of "The Shining" to Ingmar Bergman's equally-distressing drama "Cries and Whispers." It's also radical but messy in the way it criticizes the Puritan society at the heart of its story and tries to portray its witches and their creepy practices as a startling yet enticing and even preferable alternative lifestyle.
Flaws aside, however, "The Witch" is absolutely worth your time if you've never watched it before and has only gotten better in my memory since the first time I saw it (Eggers' feelings on the matter aside). With positive reactions already coming in for "The Northman" ahead of its arrival in theaters, now's as good a time as any for those who're so inclined to either seek out or revisit Eggers' bewitching (sorry, couldn't resist) horror feature debut.
"The Northman" storms into theaters on April 22, 2022.
The Witch director Robert Eggers spills his beans about The Lighthouse
Eggers researched mermaids, lapels, symbolist artists, the occult, and a lot more for the crusty 19th century tale.
By Alissa Wilkinson @alissamarie Oct 15, 2019, 2:00pm EDTWitch directors often use their films as a platform to comment on societal issues or explore psychological themes. They may portray witches as powerful figures challenging the status quo or as victims of persecution and societal fear. By doing so, these directors can create thought-provoking and visually captivating films that resonate with audiences. In addition to their unique thematic elements, witch directors also often employ visual and sound design techniques to enhance the atmosphere of their films. These may include eerie music, intense color schemes, and otherworldly cinematography that adds to the sense of supernatural dread. Overall, the witch director is an important figure in the horror genre, providing audiences with a fresh and artistically driven approach to storytelling. Their films push the boundaries of the genre, exploring complex themes and delivering visually stunning experiences. Whether through historical accuracy or creative reinterpretation, these directors continue to leave their mark on the world of horror cinema..
Reviews for "The exploration of patriarchy and female empowerment in "The Witch" with director Robert Eggers"
- John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Witch" directed by Robert Eggers. The movie was slow-paced and lacked any real scares or tension. The dialogue was hard to understand at times, and the plot was confusing and didn't make much sense to me. I was expecting a lot more from all the hype surrounding this film, but it just didn't deliver for me.
- Sarah - 1 star - I absolutely hated "The Witch" directed by Robert Eggers. The film was extremely disturbing and left me feeling uncomfortable and disgusted. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and the ending was incredibly unsatisfying. The acting was also very lackluster, and I found it hard to connect with any of the characters. Overall, I would not recommend this film to anyone.
- Mike - 2 stars - "The Witch" directed by Robert Eggers was a huge disappointment for me. The movie was slow and dragged on, with very little happening throughout. The scares were minimal, and the whole witch concept felt cliché and overdone. It failed to offer any fresh take on the genre. The acting was decent, but it wasn't enough to redeem the boring plot. I was expecting something truly terrifying, but instead, I was left feeling underwhelmed.