I Am Not a Witch

I Am Not a Witch

Year: 2018

Runtime: 93 min

Language: English

Director: Rungano Nyoni

Echo Score: 80
Drama

Following a petty accusation, eight-year-old Shula finds her life irrevocably changed and is banished to a barren desert camp for suspected witchcraft. There, she joins other young girls similarly accused and must adjust to the camp’s strange and unsettling customs. A mysterious ribbon binds her to this existence, and she faces potential torment if she defies the camp’s rigid rules while attempting to understand the accusations against her.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen I Am Not a Witch yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – I Am Not a Witch (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of I Am Not a Witch (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie is set in a contemporary time period, highlighting the conflict between traditional beliefs and modern perspectives on education and rights. During this era, the concept of witchcraft remains a point of contention in certain societies, reflecting ongoing struggles related to gender, power, and societal norms.

Location

Village

The village serves as the main setting for the events of the movie, marked by its deep-rooted beliefs in witchcraft and superstition. It is a place where traditional customs collide with modernity, influencing the lives of its inhabitants. The community's attitudes towards witches and the supernatural shape the narrative surrounding the protagonist, Shula.

🏡 Village 🧙‍♀️ Witchcraft

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:34

Main Characters – I Am Not a Witch (2018)

Meet the key characters of I Am Not a Witch (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Shula

Shula is a serious young girl whose life dramatically changes when she is accused of witchcraft. Initially unsure of her supposed powers, she navigates the complexities of being a scapegoat in a superstitious community. Despite the oppressive circumstances, her resilience and cleverness lead her to earn respect, showcasing her inner strength.

👧 Young 🧙‍♀️ Witch 💪 Resilient

Senor Government Official

The senior government official represents the exploitation of power in the village, using Shula's situation for personal gain. His coercive tactics highlight the corrupt nature of authority and its impact on vulnerable individuals. He embodies the intersection of politics and superstition that governs the lives of the villagers.

🏛️ Authority 💼 Corruption

Witch Doctor

The witch doctor is a pivotal figure in the film, fueling the superstitions that lead to Shula's entrapment. He symbolizes the intertwining of tradition and power, playing a key role in reinforcing societal fears. His character reflects the complexities of belief systems that both empower and oppress.

🔮 Tradition 👁️ Power

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:34

Major Themes – I Am Not a Witch (2018)

Explore the central themes of I Am Not a Witch (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌪️ Oppression

The theme of oppression is central to Shula's journey as she faces confinement and exploitation by authority figures. The village's perception of witchcraft symbolizes societal fears, leading to the marginalization of individuals like her. Throughout the film, Shula's struggle serves as a poignant reflection on the broader themes of power and control.

🎓 Education

Shula's brief enrollment in school introduces the theme of education as a means of empowerment. The stark contrast between her academic aspirations and the limitations imposed by her circumstances highlights the importance of education in breaking cycles of oppression. The film subtly critiques the barriers faced by those deemed 'different' in society.

🌧️ Nature and Control

The manipulation of natural elements, such as rain, represents the power dynamics at play in the story. Shula's coerced performances, including the rain dance, illustrate humanity's attempt to exert control over nature. This theme intertwines with the villagers' belief in magic, suggesting a deeper commentary on the relationship between belief and reality.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:34

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with slow-burn systemic dread like I Am Not a Witch

Stories where quiet pressure from a corrupt system creates suffocating tension.If you liked the oppressive atmosphere of I Am Not a Witch, this thread gathers movies that explore similar themes of systemic injustice and psychological manipulation. These films use a slow pace to build a heavy, melancholic mood, focusing on characters trapped within corrupt or superstitious systems.

oppressiveunsettlingmelancholicpowerlesssomberclaustrophobic

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread follow characters who are trapped within an unjust system, often one that is accepted as normal by those around them. The plot unfolds slowly, focusing on the psychological toll of compliance and the faint, often ambiguous, possibility of resistance or escape.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on atmospheric, systemic horror. They prioritize a bleak tone and a slow, deliberate pace to convey the weight of oppression, creating a deeply unsettling and emotionally heavy viewing experience centered on powerlessness.

Movies about lost innocence like I Am Not a Witch

Heartbreaking journeys of children forced to confront a cruel adult world.Fans of I Am Not a Witch's portrayal of a child's exploitation will find similar powerful stories here. This thread collects films that focus on the emotional journey of a young protagonist whose innocence is shattered by a harsh and unjust world, often with ambiguous or bleak outcomes.

somberheartbreakingdesolatepowerlessgrittytragic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a child protagonist whose normal world is shattered by an external force—be it war, poverty, superstition, or adult cruelty. The story charts their emotional descent as they are forced to navigate a reality they are unprepared for, with their vulnerability being central to the plot's emotional impact.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their profound emotional focus on a child's perspective during a crisis. They share a heavy emotional weight, a somber or bleak tone, and often an ambiguous ending, leaving the viewer to contemplate the lasting scars of such an experience.

Unlock the Full Story of I Am Not a Witch

Don't stop at just watching — explore I Am Not a Witch in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what I Am Not a Witch is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

I Am Not a Witch Summary

Read a complete plot summary of I Am Not a Witch, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

I Am Not a Witch Summary

I Am Not a Witch Timeline

Track the full timeline of I Am Not a Witch with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

I Am Not a Witch Timeline

I Am Not a Witch Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of I Am Not a Witch that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

I Am Not a Witch Spoiler-Free Summary

More About I Am Not a Witch

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about I Am Not a Witch: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About I Am Not a Witch

Similar Movies to I Am Not a Witch

Discover movies like I Am Not a Witch that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.