Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep in the enchanting woods, a witch with unnervingly creepy powers cast a mysterious spell over the townspeople. This witch, known as the Wretched Witch of the Woods, was shrouded in darkness and was feared by all who encountered her. Legends and fables were passed down through generations, warning of the witch's eerie presence and the dangers associated with crossing her path. The villagers lived in constant fear, tiptoeing around their daily lives, scared of invoking the witch's wrath. They spoke in hushed tones and dared not venture into the woods where the witch resided. With each passing day, the fear grew more palpable, and the witch's reputation became even more terrifying.
Robert Eggers tells us about his research into the period, filming in the wilderness, and working with goats.
I realized that I needed to make something that was in an identifiable genre that was still really personal to me, and that I wouldn t be sacrificing who I am or my values. There came a time when I was like, Man, I m starting to turn into a designer who wants to be a director, instead of a director who s designing on the side for money.
With each passing day, the fear grew more palpable, and the witch's reputation became even more terrifying. It was said that the Wretched Witch had the ability to transform herself into any creature or object she desired, making it impossible to discern her true form. She would often take the shape of an innocent animal, luring unsuspecting victims into her trap.
Ione Skye's creepy Beef cameo as a Viola Swamp-inspired witch, explained
Series creator Lee Sung Jin and executive producer Jake Schreier break down the Say Anything star's unexpected role.
Jessica is a staff writer at Entertainment Weekly, where she covers TV, movies, and pop culture. Her work has appeared in Bustle, NYLON, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, and more. She lives in California with her dog.
Published on April 7, 2023Warning: This post contains spoilers for Beef season 1.
Ione Skye makes an unexpected, creepy cameo in Beef, Netflix's road rage dark comedy that's about so much more than a sour traffic incident.
In episode 8, Amy (Ali Wong) returns to her childhood home to visit her parents after the dissolution of her marriage to George (Joseph Lee). Reeling from her own experiences with infidelity, Amy informs her mother about her father's affair decades ago (though this comes as no surprise to the matriarch), which she witnessed as a young child. In a flashback scene, a young Amy is reading what appears to be a book from the Miss Nelson collection as her parents loudly argue from the other room. She's enjoying a snack she shouldn't be eating, and when she hides the wrapper under the fold of her mattress, she's confronted by a Viola Swamp-inspired witch in her bedroom.
Underneath all those prosthetics is none other than Skye, known for her roles in River's Edge and Say Anything, who eerily informs a young Amy that she's "always watching."
Ione Skye and Remy Holt (as a young Amy) in 'Beef'. Netflix"Ione was so down," series creator Lee Sung Jin says of the cameo. "[I'm a] big fan of her and all her movies. She was really a champ in terms of going with the flow."
"We were lucky in so many places with the show," executive producer Jake Schreier adds. "Yes, it's a witch and it has to be scary to young Amy, but at the same time, it shouldn't feel like a cartoon monster. To have Ione be willing to show up and do all the prosthetics and the makeup, but then still give a very real performance in that moment, that's such a lift for the show."
Lee — who notes the witch isn't Viola Swamp per se, but a loose reimagining and amalgamation of characters from books he read as a child — says the idea to personify the witchy character stemmed from the series' narratives of shame.
Ione Skye. Paul Archuleta/Getty Images"It's something from my childhood, especially for, I think, people my age when we were young," Lee says. "There's so many things that were bombarded at us that I think highlighted shame. I often had, as a child, I almost want to say borderline hallucinations. I remember distinctly my mother had this fur coat that reminded me of Cruella de Vil, and I felt like [the coat] was always watching me."
"I was so scared of this manifestation of all these shameful feelings that the media had embedded in my mind," he recalls. "When thinking about Amy's character and what's driving a lot of her actions, it felt natural to revisit her shame and what she was like as a child."
Lee sings the praises of makeup department head Dana Hamel, who was left scrambling after production ran out of money for prosthetics, for bringing the character to life. "She went and got a Halloween costume, like $3 noses," he says. "We were all truthfully a little worried: 'Is this just going to look silly?' But she did a great job and there's this nostalgic creepiness that we were able to capture."
Beef is streaming now on Netflix.
Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
Related content:
- Road rage, revenge piss, vandalism: Steven Yeun and Ali Wong on the fury at the center of Beef
- Beef review: Searing performances from Steven Yeun and Ali Wong give this revenge dramedy bite
- Steven Yeun and Ali Wong broke out in hives after filming Beef: 'Our bodies shut down'
Those unfortunate enough to fall into her clutches were never seen again, their fate forever entwined with the witch's dark powers. One fateful night, as the village was cloaked in an eerie silence, a brave young girl named Esmeralda vowed to end the witch's wicked reign once and for all. Armed with her courage and determination, she ventured into the forbidden woods, facing her deepest fears head-on. As Esmeralda delved deeper into the heart of the woods, she encountered eerie whispers, gusts of inexplicable wind, and unexplained shadows that lurked in the darkness. But she pressed on, driven by the desire to restore peace to her village. Finally reaching the heart of the woods, Esmeralda found herself face to face with the Wretched Witch. She stood tall, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. The witch cackled with delight, reveling in the vulnerability of her prey. But Esmeralda was not easily swayed. In a moment of bravery, she confronted the witch, challenging her with an unwavering determination. The witch, taken aback by Esmeralda's fearlessness, found herself powerless against the girl's unwavering spirit. In a surprising twist of fate, the wicked witch revealed her true self. She was not the malevolent creature everyone had imagined; instead, she was a lonely and misunderstood soul. For years, she had been ostracized from society, and her powers had become twisted and corrupted by the bitterness of her isolation. With empathy and compassion, Esmeralda extended a helping hand to the witch. She offered friendship and love, understanding the profound loneliness that had driven the witch to her dark deeds. In that moment, the witch's powers began to recede, and she transformed into a kind and benevolent being. Word quickly spread through the village, and the townspeople were astounded by the transformation of the once terrifying witch. They learned the valuable lesson of compassion and acceptance, understanding that sometimes the most chilling appearances hid the purest hearts. From that day forward, the Wretched Witch of the Woods was no more. In her place was a guardian of the forest, using her powers to protect and nurture the village she once terrorized. Esmeralda was hailed as a hero, and her bravery and kindness served as a reminder that even the darkest souls can be redeemed by a little love and understanding. The unnervingly creepy witch fable serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond appearances and offering empathy to those who may be in need. It reminds us that compassion and understanding can transform even the most wicked hearts..
Reviews for "The Witch's Grimoire: Decoding the Sinister Symbols of a Creepy Fable"
1. Jane - 2/5
I found "An unnervingly creepy witch fable" to be quite disappointing. While the concept of a witch fable sounded intriguing, the execution fell flat for me. The story was slow-paced, and the characters lacked depth. Additionally, the supposed creepiness factor didn't quite hit the mark. I was expecting more suspense and tension, but instead, it felt more like a dull and predictable narrative. Overall, I was left unimpressed and unsatisfied with this book.
2. John - 1/5
I regret picking up "An unnervingly creepy witch fable." It was nothing more than a tedious read. The plot was weak and poorly developed, leaving me disinterested from beginning to end. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth, making it difficult to connect with them or care about their fate. The supposed creepiness was forced and unconvincing, failing to evoke any genuine sense of fear or unease. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a genuinely creepy witch story.
3. Sarah - 2/5
"An unnervingly creepy witch fable" was a letdown for me. The narrative lacked coherence and failed to engage me. The story seemed disjointed, with random elements thrown in without proper explanation or purpose. The characters were forgettable, making it challenging to invest in their journey. The attempts at creating a spine-chilling atmosphere felt forced and artificial. Overall, it was a disappointing read, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking a captivating witch fable.