Wicca and Satanism are two distinct belief systems within the realm of modern religion and spirituality. While they are often grouped together due to their alternative and unconventional nature, they have significant differences in their core beliefs, practices, and overall worldview. Wicca is a pagan, nature-based religion that emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily influenced by European folklore, witchcraft, and various forms of ancient pagan traditions. Wiccans worship a dual deity, a god and goddess, representing the masculine and feminine energies present in all aspects of the universe. They believe in the interconnectedness of nature and emphasize the reverence and respect for the Earth and its natural cycles. Wiccans also practice various rituals, spellcasting, and witchcraft, using these tools to connect with their deities, harness their own personal power, and manifest positive change in their lives.
Told partially through a documentary (thus giving off a found footage feel) and traditional narrative story-telling, The Witch Files captivated me at first when the characters mentioned that their town was rumored to have burned witches at the stake 300 years ago. To me, witchcraft is a forgotten subgenre of horror and fantasy, and I’m very happy to see that films like The Witch Files are trying to keep that torch burning. However, having seen so many movies and television shows and reading about Wicca and witchcraft, the script gets somewhat problematic when it comes to the basic fundamentals of the craft. You should never use magic for personal gain and/or revenge. That’s abusing magic, and it often comes with a price. This can be seen with the lead characters growing sicker and more debilitated as they used their powers more. I will give this praise for originality because I don’t think genre fans have seen this in a film yet – the body breaking down as the aura grows stronger. It’s a clever plot element worked into the movie, but I still would have liked to see more rules and regulations followed. And don’t get me started on the chanting. Obnoxious repetition and weak writing from the guys behind-the-scenes. Even if they used a made up language, I could have appreciated that more.
Camera Fiend Claire always carries a video camera with her and films almost everything, claiming that the camera helps her keep an emotional distance from events. Jacob Marley Apparel Not explicitly stated, but when Claire and MJ summon the spirits of everyone Jules has wronged to attack, they are all dressed appropriately for the era in which they died, so it seems likely that they re manifesting wearing what they were wearing at their time of death.
Wiccans also practice various rituals, spellcasting, and witchcraft, using these tools to connect with their deities, harness their own personal power, and manifest positive change in their lives. Satanism, on the other hand, is a decentralized religious movement that emerged in the 20th century, largely influenced by the works of Anton LaVey and his establishment of the Church of Satan. Contrary to popular misconception, Satanism does not involve the worship of a literal devil or evil entity.
Review: Kyle Rankin’s The Witch Files
With The Witch still fresh in everyone’s mind and the “Charmed” reboot heading to television in less than two weeks, the release of The Witch Files is quite timely, to say the least. Although, it deviates its own path in Wiccan film history, while also coming off as a teen-aimed mix of The Craft and Mean Girls. The previous press release from Dark Sky Films states this as well, leading me to believe that we’re all in agreement that The Witch Files has a very specific audience. I want to make that abundantly clear from the get go – I don’t think members of the horror community will dig this movie if they’re over the age of 21. Everyone 21 and younger, especially women, should give this one a chance, especially around Halloween season. It’s spooky, magical fun with drama, mystery and a pinch of action thrown into the cauldron. Based on the screenplay by Kyle Rankin and Larry Blamire, The Witch Files follows five friends from different social circles who are thrust into the world of witchcraft after the new girl at school shows off her powers during detention. As their powers grow, and they begin to make any reality happen, one of their members defects from the coven and threatens them all. Then, it’s a battle against nature, magic and time as the remaining members rally to stop the evil that surrounds them and vows to take their lives. Directed by Kyle Rankin, The Witch Files stars Holly Taylor, Alice Ziolkowski, Britt Flatmo, Adrienne Rose White, Tara Robinson, Valerie Mahaffey, Paget Brewster, Ranin Brown and Jared Boghosian.
Told partially through a documentary (thus giving off a found footage feel) and traditional narrative story-telling, The Witch Files captivated me at first when the characters mentioned that their town was rumored to have burned witches at the stake 300 years ago. To me, witchcraft is a forgotten subgenre of horror and fantasy, and I’m very happy to see that films like The Witch Files are trying to keep that torch burning. However, having seen so many movies and television shows and reading about Wicca and witchcraft, the script gets somewhat problematic when it comes to the basic fundamentals of the craft. You should never use magic for personal gain and/or revenge. That’s abusing magic, and it often comes with a price. This can be seen with the lead characters growing sicker and more debilitated as they used their powers more. I will give this praise for originality because I don’t think genre fans have seen this in a film yet – the body breaking down as the aura grows stronger. It’s a clever plot element worked into the movie, but I still would have liked to see more rules and regulations followed. And don’t get me started on the chanting. Obnoxious repetition and weak writing from the guys behind-the-scenes. Even if they used a made up language, I could have appreciated that more.
And this was my problem with The Witch Files overall. There is so much give and take that I don’t know how I’m going to rate this at the end. There were so many things that I liked, and so many things that made me go “why did they do that?” For starters, let’s be positive, I loved that the girls were duped by a half finished spell. Reading that was never a good idea, much in the same vein as Evil Dead. Don’t read phrases out loud that you’re not sure of! I loved that the main character is a high school journalist and captures her stories on camera because I did a lot of that myself in my younger years. So, I found some sort of relation with her enough to root for her survival. I liked the camera work and the cinematography, with the lake fire pit scene being my favorite in terms of look and quality. And I liked that the villain who sweeps in at the end had a definite and hidden agenda that transcended basic high school drama. She was more calculated than I expected. What I didn’t like, though, was some of the questionable acting. The girls do a fantastic job…at times, and other times needed another take to really perfect what they needed to convey. I also didn’t like that the production, as a whole, tried to accomplish too much with not enough budget. That resulted in some scenes and CGI coming off a little hokey.
The Witch Files was produced by Kyle Rankin, Scy Taylor, Holly Taylor and Paget Brewster. It features cinematography from Aitor Uribarri and editing by Kent Beyda and Tony Copolillo. I’m going to be honest. Being a somewhat independent and tamer version of The Craft meets Mean Girls wasn’t enough to sell me, which sucks because I really wanted to love this movie. I mean, yay witches! Fortunately, you get the opportunity to see the movie for yourself when it hits DVD on October 9th 2018 courtesy of Dark Sky Films. It will also be available on digital platforms, and that’s where I think your money is better spent. Overall, I’m not sure if The Witch Files is worth a full DVD purchase, but it’s certainly worth the price of a digital stream. It missed the mark for me, maybe because I’m outside of the target demographic other than liking witches, but it wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t great, either. Cool poster art, though. Final Score: 5.5 out of 10.
The Witch Files was produced by Kyle Rankin, Scy Taylor, Holly Taylor and Paget Brewster. It features cinematography from Aitor Uribarri and editing by Kent Beyda and Tony Copolillo. I’m going to be honest. Being a somewhat independent and tamer version of The Craft meets Mean Girls wasn’t enough to sell me, which sucks because I really wanted to love this movie. I mean, yay witches! Fortunately, you get the opportunity to see the movie for yourself when it hits DVD on October 9th 2018 courtesy of Dark Sky Films. It will also be available on digital platforms, and that’s where I think your money is better spent. Overall, I’m not sure if The Witch Files is worth a full DVD purchase, but it’s certainly worth the price of a digital stream. It missed the mark for me, maybe because I’m outside of the target demographic other than liking witches, but it wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t great, either. Cool poster art, though. Final Score: 5.5 out of 10.
Instead, it is an atheistic or agnostic philosophy that often takes the form of symbolic worship of the self and the pursuit of individualism, personal freedom, and hedonism. Satanists reject societal norms and traditional religious rules and instead encourage self-indulgence, critical thinking, and the exploration of taboo topics. They may engage in ritual practices, but these are often seen as psychological tools for self-empowerment and personal growth, rather than as a means of connecting to a higher power. In summary, while Wicca and Satanism both exist outside of mainstream religious traditions and share a tendency to challenge societal norms and practices, they differ significantly in their fundamental beliefs and approaches. Wicca is a nature-based religion focused on reverence for the Earth and the worship of a dual god and goddess, whereas Satanism is an atheistic or agnostic philosophy centered around personal freedom and individualism..
Reviews for "The Wiccan Way and the Satanic Path: A Contrast in Beliefs"
1. John - 2/5: I was really disappointed with "Wicca vs Satanism". I felt like the documentary focused too much on sensationalism rather than providing accurate information about either practice. The interviews were biased and seemed to cherry-pick extreme examples to further perpetuate stereotypes. It left me feeling like I didn't truly understand either Wicca or Satanism any better after watching it. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to educate and inform viewers in a meaningful way.
2. Emily - 3/5: While "Wicca vs Satanism" had an interesting concept, I felt like it wasn't executed well. The documentary lacked depth and failed to provide a balanced view of both Wicca and Satanism. Instead, it seemed to focus more on demonizing Satanism rather than truly exploring the beliefs and practices of either religion. The emphasis on fear and occultism overshadowed any potential for genuine insight or understanding. It was an average production at best, leaving me with more questions than answers.
3. Sarah - 2/5: As someone who was genuinely curious about Wicca and Satanism, I found "Wicca vs Satanism" to be highly disappointing. The documentary felt more like a tabloid piece than an informative exploration of these religions. It failed to provide any meaningful context or credible sources. The interviews with practitioners were limited and one-sided, making it difficult to form a well-rounded understanding. I would not recommend this documentary to anyone genuinely seeking knowledge about Wicca or Satanism.
4. Michael - 1/5: "Wicca vs Satanism" was a complete waste of time for me. The documentary was riddled with misinformation and biased viewpoints. Instead of presenting an impartial analysis of both Wicca and Satanism, it seemed to have an agenda of vilifying Satanism. The sensationalized imagery and ominous music further promoted fear and ignorance rather than fostering open-mindedness or understanding. I was highly disappointed in this documentary and would caution others from watching it.