Year: 2016
Runtime: 92 min
Language: English
Director: Robert Eggers
In 17th-century New England, a family seeking refuge from religious persecution establishes a farm near a dense, ominous forest. As unsettling events unfold – livestock die mysteriously, crops fail, and their infant son vanishes – paranoia and dread grip the family. Fingers point towards Thomasin, a young woman, who vehemently denies any involvement in the escalating misfortunes. The family's faith and unity are tested as they confront a growing sense of evil.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of The Witch (2016), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
The film opens in the 1630s New England, centering on William, the patriarch played by Ralph Ineson, who stands trial for heresy. He vehemently insists that those around him are false Christians, while the court accuses him of speaking against God. William’s family, which includes his wife Katherine, portrayed by Kate Dickie, their eldest daughter Thomasin, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, son Caleb, portrayed by Harvey Scrimshaw, and the twins Mercy and Jonas, set out to establish their own farm after being expelled from their New England plantation. The twins develop a peculiar friendship with a large black goat they name Black Phillip.
One fateful afternoon, while playing Peek-A-Boo with her baby brother Samuel, Thomasin tragically loses him. When she looks down, she finds that he has vanished. We then witness a chilling scene deep in the woods, where an ancient, haggard woman is seen preparing what seems to be Samuel’s remains before disappearing into the darkness. Katherine becomes heartbroken over the baby’s disappearance, believing that a wolf is responsible. As Caleb joins William for a hunt, he grows distracted by Thomasin’s burgeoning femininity and becomes haunted by the notion that their misfortunes are a punishment for sin.
During their hunting trip, William suffers an injury, which leads them back home where an enraged Katherine awaits. After an unsettling encounter at the river, where Mercy accuses Thomasin of witchcraft, the tension escalates. Thomasin, half-jokingly, claims to be a witch, terrifying Mercy with her words. With their crops failing, she and Caleb venture into the woods, only to become separated. Caleb stumbles upon a small, isolated cottage, leading to a disturbing encounter with a beautiful woman, played by Sarah Stephens, whose intentions are far from innocent.
Eventually, Thomasin finds Caleb in a vulnerable state, prompting the family to fear an evil presence is corrupting them. The children’s terrifying accusations against Thomasin ramp up to a point where even Katherine starts to believe them. As the family prays over an ailing Caleb, he succumbs to what seems like possession, ultimately dying with a smile, much to Thomasin’s horror.
Accusations fly, leading William to confine his surviving children in the barn with their goats. There, they witness a horrifying sight involving a pale figure and blood, causing sheer terror. Meanwhile, Katherine, convinced of Thomasin’s culpability, approaches what she believes to be Caleb, only to find herself ensnared in a gruesome illusion.
The following day, with the goats slaughtered and the twins missing, a chaotic confrontation occurs between Thomasin and William, which leads to a tragic end for Katherine. In a fit of rage and desperation, Thomasin kills her mother, only to seek solace in a dark pact with Black Phillip. When she finally encounters him, she strips herself of inhibitions, drawn into the woods where she finds a coven of witches, all engaged in an ecstatic dance around a fire. Amidst the chaos, Thomasin embraces the darkness and ascends, floating high above the trees, fully accepting her fate.
Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 06:33
Still wondering what the ending of The Witch (2016) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
The ending of “The Witch: Revenge” is both intense and symbolic. After the brutal execution of the soldiers—who meet horrifying, gruesome fates that include blood, worms, and violent mutilation—Olena’s revenge is complete. However, her actions come with a heavy price. The movie reveals that Olena is pregnant, which serves as a beacon of hope amidst the chaos and violence. This pregnancy signifies that Olena is holding onto a part of her lost loved one, Andril, and her desire for a future beyond revenge. Instead of killing the ruthless Russian commander, Olena chooses mercy, letting him go after learning that she is pregnant and she has Ozzy safe at her side. This act of mercy suggests a hope for redemption and healing, even in the face of overwhelming darkness. The film concludes with Olena cuddling her newborn son, whom she names Andril, symbolizing her survival, resilience, and the possibility of new beginnings. The ending feels conclusive, emphasizing that despite her vengeance and the horrors she endured, Olena is embodying the hope for a future she can still shape, free from the cycle of violence. The movie hints that this new life, borne out of tragedy, might be the beginning of something better—something worth fighting for, even after the depths of chaos.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
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Track the full timeline of The Witch with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
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