In the novel "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare, the character Thomasin dresses as a witch for the annual Halloween festivities. Although seemingly lighthearted and innocent, this act holds deeper implications for Thomasin and the Puritan society she is a part of. As an outsider in a community that values conformity and strict adherence to religious principles, Thomasin's decision to dress as a witch can be seen as a rebellious act. It reflects her dissatisfaction with the constraints placed upon her by society and serves as a form of self-expression. By embracing the image of a witch, Thomasin challenges the predetermined roles and expectations assigned to women during that time period. Moreover, Thomasin's choice to dress as a witch also symbolizes her fascination with the unknown and the allure of freedom.
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But it s more likely that the film was made in the hopes of making a quick buck on the On Demand market at a time when horror fans are craving something, anything that promises scares and blood this film has one of those, plus a lot of screaming. As it goes on, The Candy Witch spirals into confusion and increasingly ramped-up violence, while simultaneously meandering through life as if it has nowhere to be in anything resembling a hurry.
Moreover, Thomasin's choice to dress as a witch also symbolizes her fascination with the unknown and the allure of freedom. Throughout the novel, Thomasin is portrayed as a curious and adventurous young woman who yearns to explore beyond the limitations of her Puritan upbringing. By adopting the persona of a witch, she taps into the supernatural and embodies a sense of empowerment that is lacking in her everyday life.
Review: The Candy Witch Might Only Be Good Because It’s So Bad
Oh, this is not good. But here’s the thing: once in a great while, I see something so bad that I want everyone else to see it to, just so there are other people who I can meet years from now, and we’ll both be able to look at each other in silence and just nod knowingly that we both viewed and endured The Candy Witch. I know it doesn’t seem fair to go after an independent horror film, but I do consider it part of my job to warn people against spending their hard-earned money (all the more valuable these days) on something that simply isn’t worth it. I will always do my best to steer you away from the bad and also toward the good.
Image courtesy of Uncork’d Entertainment
I’ll admit, I don’t know much about director Rebecca J. Matthews, but she seems to specialize in making films with titles that definitely remind you of other, better films. Her first feature was titled Pet Graveyard…come on. And even the current title (and only the title, not the plot) has some distinct Candyman similarities. Truth is, I agreed to screening The Candy Witch because I liked the title and thought it might offer a unique twist on the witch subgenre of horror. Instead, I found myself baffled as to why every character in The Candy Witch sounds like they’re faking either a British or American accent. And more importantly, why does a family of Americans live in an estate in Britain. The result is an American family played by actors struggling intensely to hide their British accents while they in turn struggle to recite some defiantly stilted dialogue courtesy of screenwriter Scott Jeffrey.
The focal point of the film is Reece (Jon Callaway), a ghost whisperer of sorts whose main objective when called in for a consultation is to give the spirits a voice and help them figure out a way to move on—a noble cause, but one that comes with a price. Often when he hears ghosts, it rips through his ears so strongly that he’s at risk of going deaf. His girlfriend Kat (Abi Casson Thompson), who looks like a music video babe circa 1989, handles his social media and photography work, hoping to capture the ghosts on film and use it to promote the business. They are called in by the aforementioned family to discover the truth about the spirit of a former nanny to the children (Kate Lush), who allegedly abused them years earlier and then went missing rather than face the authorities…or at least that’s how the legends tell it. She is known as the Candy Witch, and she seems to not just want to haunt this family and others in the surrounding town who tormented her years earlier; she wants them all dead.
Aside from the uneven acting and weirdly confusing story, The Candy Witch keeps changing its tone and focus. In one scene, the daughter of the family (Hannah Ponting) makes it clear she doesn’t believe in any of what others say is going on. Then two scenes later, she’s cowering in the dark with everyone else, very much convinced the witch is out to get her family, as if she always believed it. This may not sound like much, but it’s a strange inconsistency—one of many. For a time, the family attempts to keep certain facts away from Reece, but then why hire him to get rid of this ghost at all if they aren’t willing to supply him with enough information to make that happen?
The family is rounded out by Heather Jackson as mom Ruth, Richard D. Myers as dad Willie, and Will Stanton as only son Will, who the nanny is said to have sexually abused when he was younger. It’s a weighty subject to just throw in for kicks, but that’s essentially what the filmmaker does (and then rewrites history two or three more times before the truth is revealed). And don’t even get me started on Reece’s wardrobe, which consists entirely of button-down dress shirts that seem tailored just a little too small to fit comfortably around his broad shoulders and huge pectorals.
As it goes on, The Candy Witch spirals into confusion and increasingly ramped-up violence, while simultaneously meandering through life as if it has nowhere to be in anything resembling a hurry. There’s a generous part of me that wants to believe that maybe director Matthews structured and paced her film like this deliberately, for a laugh—how I longed for a punch drunk (or maybe just drunk) midnight crowd surrounding me while I watched this. But it’s more likely that the film was made in the hopes of making a quick buck on the On Demand market at a time when horror fans are craving something, anything that promises scares and blood (this film has one of those, plus a lot of screaming). And while I’m not recommending this to folks who like their horror a bit more refined and better acted, if you can get some friends to watch this with (remotely), I can see this being a certain type of good time. You know me: always looking for the silver lining in the toughest of times.
The film is now available On Demand, via most digital platforms, and on DVD.
The Candy Witch seeks vengeance on the wealthy family that wronged her.
However, Thomasin's decision to dress as a witch also carries consequences within the Puritan community. For the highly superstitious and fearful members of society, the image of a witch represents evil, danger, and the potential for witchcraft. By donning this costume, Thomasin unintentionally triggers suspicion and judgement from her neighbors, who see her as a threat to their way of life. In essence, Thomasin dressing as a witch is a multifaceted act that reveals her defiance against societal norms, her longing for adventure, and the ramifications of going against cultural expectations. It serves as a turning point in the novel, highlighting the tension between individuality and conformity, and ultimately propelling Thomasin on a transformative journey of self-discovery..
Reviews for "The role of Thomasin's witch costume in establishing her as a powerful character"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Thomasin dressed as a witch". The story felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. The plot was predictable and I could see the twists coming from a mile away. Overall, it felt like a poorly executed attempt at a suspenseful thriller. I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Thomasin dressed as a witch" to be incredibly boring and unengaging. The pacing was slow and there were long stretches where nothing of significance happened. The characters were unlikable and their actions made no sense. I struggled to stay interested and ultimately gave up on the book halfway through. Save your time and skip this one.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Thomasin dressed as a witch" based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The writing was mediocre at best, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. The story lacked originality and the supernatural elements felt forced and unconvincing. I was left feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied by the end. Not worth the read in my opinion.
4. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't get past the first few chapters of "Thomasin dressed as a witch". The writing style was confusing and convoluted, making it difficult to follow the story. The characters were bland and uninteresting, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I was hoping for a thrilling and atmospheric read, but instead, I was met with confusion and frustration. I quickly lost interest and moved on to something else. Definitely not recommended.
5. David - 2 stars - "Thomasin dressed as a witch" had a promising premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The story lacked depth and complexity, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow and dragging moments followed by rushed and confusing scenes. Overall, it was a forgettable read that left me feeling underwhelmed. I wouldn't consider reading anything else from this author.