The Witches

The Witches

Year: 1990

Runtime: 91 min

Language: Japanese

Director: Nicolas Roeg

AdventureMysteryFantasyHorrorComedyFamily

In a whimsical world of wonder, a curious young boy named Luke and his wise grandmother find themselves at the mercy of an unsuspecting evil - an international coven of witches gathering at their hotel. As the Grand High Witch conjures up a diabolical plan to transform children into mice, Luke must use his wits to thwart the wicked plot before becoming its next victim.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Witches 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 – The Witches (1990)
Trace every key event in The Witches (1990) 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

Warning to the Children

The cinematic adventure begins with the Hero, voiced by Chris Rock, addressing a group of curious children. He solemnly warns them that witches are very real and have wicked plans to turn innocent kids into monstrous beings, setting the tone for the thrilling adventure ahead.

2

The Boy's Loss

We are introduced to the Boy, played by Jahzir Bruno, who is grappling with deep sadness after the tragic death of his parents in a car accident. He moves to Alabama to live with his caring Grandmother, portrayed by Octavia Spencer, but struggles to cope with his grief, leading him to become increasingly withdrawn.

Alabama
3

A Spark of Joy

In the midst of his sorrow, the Boy's life takes a positive turn when his Grandmother introduces him to a small mouse named Daisy. Though initially lost in grief, his connection with Daisy begins to bring him a sense of joy and companionship that he had been missing.

4

The Arrival of Zelda

One day, a strange woman named Zelda, played by Josette Simon, starts to lurk around their home, alarming the Boy. As his Grandmother's health declines, the Boy learns from her that witches are indeed real after recounting a chilling childhood story of her own.

The Boy's home
5

The Tale of Alice Blue

The Grandmother shares a haunting story from her past about a girl named Alice Blue, who transformed into a chicken after taking candy from a stranger. This alarming tale reinforces Grandma's awareness of the dangers that witches pose, prompting her to prepare for potential threats.

6

The Hotel Stay

Seeking a temporary escape, the Boy and his Grandmother decide to stay at a hotel with Daisy. However, they must sneak Daisy into the pet-free venue, unaware that a coven of witches led by the Grand High Witch, played by Anne Hathaway, has gathered there for a sinister purpose.

Hotel
7

The Secret Gathering

The Boy befriends Bruno, another hotel guest, who hints at a secret meeting with witches. Driven by curiosity, the Boy sneakily enters their gathering, where he discovers their terrifying true forms and their devious plans to transform children into mice.

Witches' gathering
8

The Transformation

During the witches' meeting, Bruno consumes a mysterious candy and is horrified to undergo a sudden transformation into a mouse. As chaos unfolds, the Grand High Witch casts a spell on the Boy, also turning him into a mouse, amplifying their danger.

9

The Escape

In a harrowing escape, Daisy leads the newly transformed Boy and Bruno through the hotel's ventilation system as they evade the witches' capture. The tension heightens as they dodge the clutches of the furious Grand High Witch.

Hotel ventilation system
10

The Revelation

Back in the safety of their room, the Boy and Daisy reveal the shocking news of their transformations to Grandma. She is devastated but soon resolves to develop a plan to reverse the spell and protect her family.

11

The Plan to Reverse the Spell

Determined, Grandma devises a clever scheme to steal a vial of the Grand High Witch's potion as a potential antidote. Disguising the Boy in a pouch, she sneaks into the witch's lair, but they narrowly escape detection thanks to a timely distraction.

Witches' lair
12

The Potion Experimentation

Back home, Grandma experiments with her own potions in a bid to reverse the effects of the witch's spell. However, she discovers that their transformations are permanent, leading to deeper emotional bonds as they accept their new reality.

Grandma's home
13

Sabotage Plan

With a newfound resolve, the Boy, Bruno, and Daisy create a daring plan to sabotage the Grand High Witch. Under the cover of night, the Boy slyly pours the witch's potion into a bowl of soup, aiming to disrupt her plans.

Hotel dining area
14

Chaos Unleashed

The following morning, chaos ensues as the Grand High Witch begins to transform during a meeting with her coven. The hotel erupts in panic as the witches are turned into frightened mice, providing the Boy, Daisy, and Bruno with the opportunity to reclaim their lives.

Hotel dining area
15

Final Confrontation

In a climactic showdown, the Boy retaliates against the Grand High Witch by launching a potion into her throat, successfully transforming her into a rat. The ensuing chaos leads to their victory over her, resulting in Grandma adopting Bruno and Daisy as part of her family.

Witches' lair

Last Updated: November 17, 2024 at 13:43

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