The Witch in the Window is a 2018 supernatural horror film directed by Andy Mitton. The film follows a father named Simon who brings his son, Finn, to a rural Vermont farmhouse to fix it up and sell it. However, they soon discover that the house is haunted by the spirit of a witch. As they work on the house, they uncover more about the witch's history and the reasons for her presence. The film explores themes of family, forgiveness, and the power of storytelling. One of the main ideas in The Witch in the Window is the power of belief and the way it shapes our reality.
Nice and creepy. Interesting music choices, too. The pace isn't very fast, but there are definitely some cool scenes and a good finale.
This does however mark Mitton s first feature without co-writer director Jesse Holland, who worked alongside him on both We Go On and YellowBrickRoad a movie I enjoyed more, though it too botched its final moments. It isn t long though before neighbour and local electrician Louis Greg Naughton reveals some far from idyllic home truths about the house s previous occupant Lydia Carol Stanzione and it s rather chilling supernatural history.
One of the main ideas in The Witch in the Window is the power of belief and the way it shapes our reality. Finn, who is just a child, is more open-minded and willing to believe in the supernatural, while his father, Simon, is initially skeptical. However, as they spend more time in the house, Simon begins to experience paranormal phenomena and is forced to confront the idea that there may be more to the world than what he can see and understand.
Fantasia 2018 Review: THE WITCH IN THE WINDOW Terrifies and Surprises
I haven't yet seen director/writer/editor/composer Andy Mitton's previous two features, We Go On and Yellowbrickroad, but having watched his new film The Witch in the Window (formerly known as The Vermont House) at Fantasia 2018, I'm going to have to rectify that as soon as possible. The story follows New York City denizen and middle-aged dad Simon (Alex Draper) as he picks up his son Finn (Charlie Tacker) from his estranged wife Beverly (Arija Bareikis). The goal is to fix up a house in the middle of nowhere, Vermont, get Finn away from the Internet and city life, and to bond with some quality father-son time. Problem, is the fixer-upper in the countryside already has a resident of the permanent kind, Lydia. The issue with most haunted house stories is that they never tread new ground, exhausting the same plot points and tropes again and again. I'm thrilled to say that The Witch in the Window (coming to Shudder soon) has no such downside, and the premise of sprucing up an old house with a ghost in it will be where comparisons with this feature and Old Dark House stories end. The best part of watching films is the hunt for the elusive gem that surprises and surpasses expectations, and The Witch in the Window is it. When you think you know where the film is going, you won't. The interactions between the aggressive ghost Lydia and Simon and Finn are quite different from what we're used to seeing; they're scared, but they confront her head-on at times, even going right up to her when she's asleep in her favorite chair. Even better? There's one particular scene that gave me actual goosebumps --- and the other filmmakers I attended the screening with felt the same way. We rhapsodized on the effectiveness of that scene and its ability to absolutely surprise us. I'd love to be able to reveal the trick that Mitton used within his excellent trick, but it'd be evil of me to spoil such a beautiful, chilling scene. In fact, to say much more at all about the plot of the film does it a disservice. I'll say that this is a heady nightmare of real-world horrors and the poignancy of knowing that you really cannot protect the ones you love, no matter how much you try. The Witch in the Window is gloriously written, acted, and directed; it's a horror film set in mostly one location, but it's also a discovery into what you can really do on an independent film with a likely tiny budget and crew. Don't go into the film expecting the big budget ballast of Hereditary, but an indie completely different that doesn't show the supernatural so much as makes you feel it. At its, the The Witch in the Window is a study on the loss of those you love and hold most dear. Check this one out as soon as you can if you love quiet horror that burns slow until you don't know you're almost out of wick. Highly recommended.
The Witch in the Window
Director(s)
- Andy Mitton
Writer(s)
- Andy Mitton
Cast
- Arija Bareikis
- Alex Draper
- Charlie Tacker
- Carol Stanzione
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Simon and his prepubescent son Finn (Alex Draper & Charlie Tracker) depart to the countryside to renovate a picturesque country house that Simon has purchased with the plan being to flip it for a profit upon completion. It isn't long though before neighbour and local electrician Louis (Greg Naughton) reveals some far from idyllic home truths about the house's previous occupant Lydia (Carol Stanzione ) and it's rather chilling supernatural history. I mean this sort of formula has been done before a hundred times or more but it's refreshing to see a new take on things with writer/director Andy Mitton conjuring up scares where Lydia's willingness to not simply just loiter in the shadows or just off-screen doesn't make her any…
This challenges his worldview and forces him to reevaluate his beliefs. Another important theme in the film is the idea of forgiveness and redemption. As Simon learns more about the witch, he discovers that she was unjustly condemned and executed for practicing witchcraft. This revelation leads him to question the nature of justice and the harm that can be caused by prejudice and fear. Through his interactions with the ghostly witch, Simon learns that forgiveness and understanding can be powerful tools for healing and redemption. The Witch in the Window also explores the power of storytelling and the way it can shape our perceptions of the world. The film reveals that the witch's story has been passed down through generations and has become twisted and distorted over time. Simon becomes determined to uncover the truth and share it with others, in the hopes of setting the witch's spirit free. The film suggests that storytelling has the power to heal wounds and bring about understanding and reconciliation. In conclusion, The Witch in the Window is a supernatural horror film that explores themes of belief, forgiveness, and the power of storytelling. Through the experiences of its characters, the film challenges our preconceived notions of reality and encourages us to question our beliefs. It also highlights the importance of forgiveness and understanding in overcoming prejudice and fear. Overall, it is a thought-provoking and atmospheric film that will leave viewers questioning their own perceptions of the world..
Reviews for "The Witch in the Window 2018: Exploring the Themes of Guilt and Redemption"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really excited to watch "The Witch in the Window" as I'm a huge fan of horror movies. However, I was left disappointed. The movie started off promising with an interesting concept, but it quickly became dull and predictable. The scares were few and far between, and when they did happen, they were not even close to being scary. The plot was weak and the characters were underdeveloped. Overall, "The Witch in the Window" was a snooze fest and a missed opportunity to create a truly chilling horror film.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I cannot express how much I disliked "The Witch in the Window". The acting was amateur and the storyline was beyond cliché. It felt like I was watching a low-budget, student film rather than a professionally made movie. The scares were laughable, and there was no suspense or tension throughout the entire film. I was extremely bored and disappointed, and I would not recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a good horror film.
3. Mike - 2/5 - "The Witch in the Window" had a lot of potential but failed to deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest very quickly. The characters were not compelling, and their actions often felt forced and unrealistic. The ending was predictable and unsatisfying. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this movie and would not watch it again.
4. Emily - 2.5/5 - As a fan of supernatural horror, I was eagerly looking forward to "The Witch in the Window". Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The movie lacked the scares and tension that I love in this genre. The plot was thin, and the characters were not well developed. While the cinematography was decent, it was not enough to redeem the film. "The Witch in the Window" had potential, but it ultimately fell flat for me.