"The Witch Files" is a thrilling and captivating film that revolves around a group of high school misfits who stumble upon a mystical book of spells. As they delve deeper into the secrets of witchcraft, the group finds themselves facing unexpected challenges and danger. The story takes place in a small New England town, where the outcast and unpopular students often struggle to fit in. One day, during detention, the lead characters discover a hidden book called "The Witch Files" in the school's attic. This discovery sets off a series of events that will change their lives forever. The group decides to experiment with the spells found in the book, hoping to enhance their social status and improve 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.
The group decides to experiment with the spells found in the book, hoping to enhance their social status and improve their lives. However, they soon realize that the consequences of their actions are far more significant than expected. As they delve further into witchcraft, the characters must confront their own personal fears and insecurities.
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.
They learn that magic comes at a price, and that tampering with forces beyond their control can have disastrous consequences. The film explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the power of self-acceptance. "The Witch Files" features a strong ensemble cast, each member bringing their unique personality and struggles to the story. The characters are relatable and endearing, allowing the audience to connect with their journey on a deeper level. The visual effects and cinematography in the film are stunning, immersing the audience in the world of magic and witchcraft. The settings, costumes, and makeup add to the overall aesthetic, creating a visually captivating experience. Overall, "The Witch Files" is an exciting and suspenseful film that combines elements of fantasy, drama, and coming-of-age. It challenges the viewers to question the limits of power and the consequences of their actions. With its strong performances and intriguing storyline, this film is a must-watch for fans of supernatural thrillers..
Reviews for "The Modern Witch: Insights from the Witch Files"
1. Jessica - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Witch Files". The storyline felt cliché and predictable, and the character development was lacking. The acting was mediocre at best, and I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters. The special effects were also underwhelming, and it felt like a low-budget production. Overall, I wouldn't recommend watching this film if you are looking for something unique or exciting.
2. Ryan - 1/5 stars - I found "The Witch Files" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was convoluted and poorly executed. The acting was wooden, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. The film lacked any real scares or twists, and the ending was unsatisfying. It felt like a cheap attempt to cash in on the current trend of supernatural teen movies. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "The Witch Files" had potential, but it ultimately fell flat. The pacing was off, with long stretches of dullness and sudden bursts of action. The characters were one-dimensional, and their motivations were unclear. The film also tried to incorporate too many supernatural elements, which only served to confuse the viewer. I was hoping for a thrilling and suspenseful experience, but instead, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.
4. Mark - 2/5 stars - I was excited to see "The Witch Files", but it turned out to be a disappointment. The story felt disjointed and lacked a cohesive narrative. The acting was subpar, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy at times. The film tried to incorporate elements of horror and humor, but it failed to strike the right balance. Overall, "The Witch Files" left me feeling unimpressed and wishing I had chosen a different movie to watch.