The Witch

The Witch

Year: 2016

Runtime: 92 min

Language: English

Director: Robert Eggers

Budget: $4M

MysteryHorror

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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Timeline – The Witch (2016)

Trace every key event in The Witch (2016) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

William's Trial

In the 1630s New England, William stands trial for heresy. He passionately defends his views, stating that those around him are not true Christians, while the court accuses him of blasphemy.

1630s New England
2

Exile from Plantation

After being expelled from their New England plantation, William's family starts anew by establishing their own farm. The family includes his wife Katherine, their daughter Thomasin, and their other children.

New England
3

Loss of Samuel

While playing Peek-A-Boo with her baby brother Samuel, Thomasin tragically loses him. The scene shifts, and a mysterious old woman is seen in the woods with what appears to be Samuel's remains.

Woods
4

Katherine's Grief

Katherine deeply mourns the loss of her baby Samuel, convinced that a wolf was responsible for his disappearance. Her sorrow amplifies the family's tensions and fears.

5

Hunting Trip

Caleb joins William for a hunting trip, but he becomes distracted by Thomasin's growing femininity and starts questioning if their hardships are punishments for their sins.

Forest
6

Injury and Tension

During the hunting trip, William suffers an injury, prompting Caleb and him to return home. There, they face Katherine's wrath, exacerbating the family's distrust and fear.

Home
7

Accusations of Witchcraft

Tensions peak when Mercy accuses Thomasin of witchcraft after an unsettling incident by the river. In a moment of desperation, Thomasin jokingly claims to be a witch, instilling fear in Mercy.

River
8

Caleb's Disturbance

With their crops failing, Thomasin and Caleb venture into the woods where they become separated. Caleb discovers a cottage and encounters a beautiful woman with sinister intentions.

Woods
9

Caleb's Downfall

Thomasin finds Caleb in a highly vulnerable state, which alarms the family and triggers fear of an evil presence corrupting them. Caleb succumbs to a mysterious ailment that seems like possession.

Home
10

Family's Desperation

Following Caleb's death, William confines the surviving children in the barn, where they witness a horrific vision involving blood and a pale figure. The family's grip on sanity begins to unravel.

Barn
11

Katherine's Illusion

Katherine, driven by grief and anger, approaches what she believes to be Caleb. Instead, she falls into a gruesome illusion, further indicating the family's unraveling reality.

12

Confrontation and Tragedy

Confusion escalates and leads to a chaotic confrontation between Thomasin and William. In a tragic outcome, Thomasin kills Katherine during a fit of rage, forever changing her fate.

Home
13

Deal with Black Phillip

In her despair, Thomasin seeks solace and makes a dark pact with the black goat, Black Phillip. This moment symbolizes her ultimate surrender to her dark fate and the crumbling family.

Woods
14

Coven Encounter

Thomasin finds herself in the woods after her pact, where she stumbles upon a coven of witches engaged in a frenetic dance around a fire. This encounter cements her acceptance of darkness.

Woods
15

Ascension

In a climactic moment, Thomasin embraces the chaos and ascends, floating above the trees. This transformation marks her complete acceptance of her fate and the culmination of her horrific journey.

Woods

Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 06:33

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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.

Atmospheric folk horror movies like The Witch

Stories where ancient folklore and superstition manifest terrifying realities.If you liked the primal dread and folklore-based terror of The Witch, explore these movies where ancient superstitions and rural isolation breed supernatural horror. Discover similar stories of folk mythology turning into terrifying reality.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow individuals or families confronting supernatural forces rooted in local legend or pagan belief systems. The horror is often slow to reveal itself, intertwined with the landscape and the characters' own growing belief in the folklore, leading to a confrontation with an ancient, often inescapable, evil.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a foundation in folk mythology and a setting removed from modern society, which amplifies the fear of the unknown. They prioritize atmosphere and a specific, earthy brand of supernatural horror over jump scares, creating a cohesive experience for viewers seeking this niche.

Slow burn paranoid siege movies like The Witch

Narratives where isolation breeds paranoia and fractures family bonds from within.For viewers who appreciated the slow-building paranoia and family breakdown in The Witch, this list features movies where isolation turns characters against each other. Find similar stories of psychological siege and self-destruction.

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Narrative Summary

The story arc focuses on a closed system—like a remote farm or an isolated location—where an external pressure (real or perceived) causes the group's internal dynamics to unravel. The plot is driven by escalating accusations, secrets, and a loss of faith in one another, often making the internal collapse more terrifying than the external menace.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on psychological horror born from confinement and mistrust. They utilize a slow pacing to meticulously build tension from interpersonal drama and paranoia, creating a deeply unsettling experience that resonates with viewers who enjoy watching characters psychologically unravel.

Unlock the Full Story of The Witch

Don't stop at just watching — explore The 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 The Witch is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Witch Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The 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.

The Witch Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Witch

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Witch. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Witch

The Witch Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of The Witch? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

The Witch Ending Explained

The Witch Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The 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.

The Witch Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Witch

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The 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 The Witch

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