Season of the Witch

A 39-year-old wife who feels trapped by her housewife role and seeks independence. Her fascination with witchcraft begins as a means to reclaim power, evolving into a deeper, riskier transformation. Nightmares of a masked intruder accompany her growing urge to redefine her identity, culminating in a drastic act against her husband. She becomes a paradox of vulnerability and resolve, navigating desire, fear, and agency.

A successful but domineering husband whose frequent business trips and controlling behavior create a climate of fear at home. His references to violence and the occasional physical outburst intensify Joan’s sense of entrapment. His presence and unpredictable return home are catalysts for the film’s turning points. He embodies the patriarchal pressure that drives Joan to seek alternatives.

Joan and Jack’s 19-year-old daughter, a college student who embodies youth and rebellion. Nikki’s casual, boundary-testing relationship with Gregg contrasts with her family’s turmoil and signals a generational shift. Her sudden departure and subsequent disappearance to Buffalo fuel the mystery and drive the narrative forward. She represents the disruption of conventional family structures.

The enigmatic leader of a local witches’ coven who befriends Joan and becomes a mentor figure in the occult journey. Marion’s charisma and authority lure Joan into a world of rituals and sisterhood that challenge conventional morality. She wields influence over the coven and Joan’s transformation, complicating notions of empowerment and danger. Marion embodies the seductive lure of forbidden power.

A student teacher at Nikki’s college who becomes involved with Joan after manipulating others and presenting a troubling infatuation. He uses charm to entangle Joan and Shirley, contributing to the moral ambiguity surrounding desire and manipulation. Gregg’s behavior catalyzes a chain of events that accelerates Joan’s immersion into witchcraft and the ensuing tension. His presence underscores temptation and exploitation.

Joan’s friend who accompanies her to Marion’s house and becomes swept up in the early forays into occult curiosity. Shirley’s reactions to deception and pot misconceptions reveal the group’s susceptibility to manipulation. Her experiences illustrate the social dynamics of curiosity and peer influence within the neighborhood. She moves through the narrative as a catalyst for Joan’s choices.