The witch family is a fascinating and intriguing topic that has captivated the imagination of people for centuries. Throughout history, witches have been depicted in various forms, from supernatural beings with magical powers to women accused of practicing witchcraft and subsequently persecuted. In many cultures, the concept of the witch family revolves around a lineage of women who possess magical abilities and pass them down from generation to generation. These families are often depicted as having a strong bond and a deep connection to nature and the spiritual realm. They are believed to have a unique understanding of herbal remedies, divination, and spellcasting. The witch family is often associated with mystery and secrecy, as their practices were traditionally kept hidden from the outside world.
Those are the moments that suck, and those are the moments The Witch turns into unfiltered dread. If we set aside the horror tropes, Robert Eggers‘ 2011 flick is all about the awful things we do to those we love and just how easy it is for a community to eat each other alive.
If we set aside the horror tropes, Robert Eggers 2011 flick is all about the awful things we do to those we love and just how easy it is for a community to eat each other alive. I remember loving Little Witch Girl and Malachi and Lurie and all the other characters living on the Glass Hill as well as being a little afraid of Old Witch.
The witch family is often associated with mystery and secrecy, as their practices were traditionally kept hidden from the outside world. They have been known to live in secluded areas, such as deep within the forests or on the outskirts of society. In some societies, being part of a witch family was seen as a blessing, with these women revered as wise and powerful figures.
How ‘The Witch’ Illustrates Family and Community as Our Worst Enemies
Family can be a thing, right? We love them dearly, of course, but every once in a while, they make us question how deep that love reservoir really goes. Family members can annoy us, criticize us, and show us the worst parts of ourselves. They know us the best; therefore, they know exactly where to stick the knife and which direction to twist it.
Those are the moments that suck, and those are the moments The Witch turns into unfiltered dread. If we set aside the horror tropes, Robert Eggers‘ 2011 flick is all about the awful things we do to those we love and just how easy it is for a community to eat each other alive.
The family in The Witch are doomed the second the opening credits end. Banished from their own community for being too hardcore religious—which is saying something for Puritans—they set out to create their own settlement. Spoilers for those who haven’t seen the flick, but it doesn’t go well. Truthfully it was never going to go well.
Satan and a coven of witches didn’t hex the family to turn them into the worst versions of themselves. They simply brought to boil what was simmering the entire time. An overbearing patriarch, a jealousy-ridden matriarch, two terrible twins, an adolescent son, and Thomasin, a teenage girl who is bordering on womanhood and just wants a way out, aren’t mixing well. It’s all made worse by the fact they’re isolated in the middle of nothing.
When people who love each other are put in uniquely terrible situations, the human equation of “human being” emerges. And it’s not always pretty. Everything they do becomes a thing because we notice behavior we didn’t before. The way they chew their food, clear their throat, or even the sound of their voice can start to annoy. An unprecedented inciting incident, like getting your baby stolen or a pandemic, highlight the flaws of the people we love most. We’re already on edge, and all it takes is one little nudge to push us over the precipice.
The Witch builds on all those moments that show us who our loved ones really are. Thomasin’s dad, realizing that, ya know, food is essential, trades her mother’s prized silver for hunting supplies. The mother, already a wreck because of her missing baby, blames Thomasin. Rather than do what a dad would do, he does what a flawed human might do. He lets Thomasin take the fall long enough where the couple legitimately discusses giving their oldest daughter away to another family.
This isn’t to say moms and dads across the globe want to give their children away. However, it does reinforce the fact that self-preservation is our number one instinct. Humans are complicated and oh so flawed. So, when push comes to shove, we may press back and hurt those we care about in the process.
Those who know us the best not only get close enough to sell us out, they also know where every single pressure point is. What’s worse is those people know precisely how long to squeeze to inflict maximum pain. That saying about hurt people hurting people? Yeah, it’s basically that in a nutshell. Thomasin’s youngest sibs are monumental pains in the butt who pick on her fears and insecurities. The twins are a mess, even if no one else in the family can see it. Seriously, why wouldn’t they be? Besides all the obvious reasons the movie presents, they’re also pretty much ignored. Like most children who feel neglected, they act out for attention.
Not saying it’s cool to accuse your big sister of witchcraft and pretend to be comatose, but the motivation is easily understandable. When a family suffers one trauma after another, it’s usually the kids who bear the brunt. Whether it’s Satan and his witches or COVID-19, that’s a pretty big brunt to carry for narrow shoulders. Setting aside their motivation, how the twins treat Thomasin is another example of her family turning against her when she needs them the most.
Our transgressions towards our family and our community are like Jenga blocks. We may get away with pulling a few out of place, but eventually, the whole thing comes tumbling down. For Thomasin, that devastation hits its peak when her father not only accuses her of being a witch but blames her for everything gone wrong. Whether it’s the barren land, the dead children, or just the toxic relationship he has with his wife, it’s all on Thomasin. Ultimately, she’s the reason God is no longer taking their calls. When nothing is going right, family is often in the crosshairs.
For men like Thomasin’s dad, ones filled with pride and hubris, a scapegoat is always necessary. People throughout history often looked to someone else to hiss and boo at for the ills of society, an easy answer to complex problems. Humans were never genuinely great at the whole “love thy neighbor” thing, even if we tell ourselves the opposite. The Witch puts all of that history in the harshness of daylight and forces us to reckon with an uncomfortable truth: maybe we are only as good as the world allows us to be.
It’s easy to be good when everything is excellent, but that learning curve gets sharper when the brown stuff hits the fan. Treating our inner circle right is far from a given; it’s a choice we make every day. Thomasin’s family made the wrong choices at every single fork in the road, causing her to make the only decision she could. Religious doctrine—and the Paranormal Activity franchise—says evil preys on the ripest fruit. Those already open to suggestions due to more than a couple of hardships are easy pickings for the wicked.
But The Witch goes one step further and says bad situations just make bad people worse. And unless people address the root of the issues within their families or their communities, it’s not a question of if something awful will pop off but when.
For Thomasin, and for many people in the real world, family truly is an F-word.
They were sought after for their healing abilities and their knowledge of nature and the supernatural. However, in other cultures, being part of a witch family was met with fear and suspicion. These women were often accused of using their powers for malevolent purposes and were the subject of witch trials and witch hunts. The witch family has been portrayed in literature, films, and folklore, further adding to their mystique. They are often depicted as wise and enigmatic figures, who possess a deep understanding of the universe and its workings. They are often associated with symbols such as the broomstick, cauldron, and black cat. Today, the concept of the witch family continues to fascinate and enthrall many. Witches are often seen as symbols of empowerment and rebellion, challenging societal norms and expectations. The witch family represents a deep connection to nature, female strength, and a belief in the supernatural. In conclusion, the witch family is a captivating topic that has been portrayed in various forms throughout history. Whether depicted as powerful figures or persecuted individuals, the witch family represents a connection to nature, magic, and the spiritual realm. They continue to capture our imagination and inspire awe and fascination..
Reviews for "The Witch Family: Guardians of the Supernatural World"
1. Sara - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "The Witch Family". The characters were shallow and the plot was predictable. It felt like the author just threw together a bunch of cliches and stereotypes. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and found myself not caring about what happened to them. Overall, I found the book to be boring and unoriginal.
2. John - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "The Witch Family" as much as I had hoped. The writing style was confusing and made it difficult to follow along with the story. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on while others were rushed. The author tried to include too many subplots, which made the book feel disjointed. I also found the dialogue to be unnatural and forced. Unfortunately, this book just didn't captivate my attention.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I found "The Witch Family" to be a letdown. The story lacked depth and the world-building was underdeveloped. The magical elements felt arbitrary and didn't add much to the overall plot. The main character was flat and didn't undergo any significant growth or development. I was hoping for a captivating and immersive read, but this book fell short of my expectations.