Witch Hunt

Witch Hunt

Year: 1994

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: Paul Schrader

HorrorComedyFantasy

It’s a new kind of evil, as old as time. Magic and murder connect an actress, a private eye, a senator and a witch in 1950s Hollywood.

Witch Hunt (1994) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Witch Hunt (1994) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the glittering but shadowed streets of 1953 Los Angeles, a new kind of hysteria spreads like a whisper through the studios and backlots. Senator Larson Crockett has turned his crusade against magic into a nationwide moral panic, forcing practitioners to hide their art behind the bright lights of cinema. The era’s sleek art‑deco facades mask a simmering conflict between public virtue and the clandestine forces that have long fueled Hollywood’s most daring stories.

At the heart of this uneasy balance walks H. Philip Lovecraft, a private investigator whose weary Liverpool accent and keen eye make him a reluctant confidante to the city’s glittering elite. When celebrated star Kim Hudson enlists his help to protect a fragile reputation, he is pulled into a world where ambition, fame, and unseen enchantments intersect. Their uneasy partnership becomes a conduit for the hidden currents that swirl beneath the movie‑making machine.

Within the same maze of back‑room deals, Hypolita Kropotkin, the unassuming landlady of Lovecraft’s modest apartment, operates a discreet cabal of witches who lend “magickal polish” to scripts by summoning the ghosts of literary masters. Beside her moves Finn Macha, a warlock with a past in private investigation, whose presence hints at deeper, older alliances. Together they hint at a secret economy where spells can shape a career as surely as a contract, and where every whispered incantation could tip the scales of power.

The film unfolds as a smoky, neo‑noir tableau, blending the sleek stylings of classic Hollywood with the unsettling pulse of the occult. Its tone is both glamorous and foreboding, inviting the audience to wonder what price will be paid when ambition, politics, and ancient magic collide beneath the marquee lights. The characters tread a razor‑thin line between illusion and reality, each step echoing the larger question of how far one will go to claim a place in the spotlight.

Last Updated: November 25, 2025 at 15:15

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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.

Occult Noir Movies Like Witch Hunt

Hard-boiled detectives and desperate characters confront dark magic and conspiracies.Explore more movies like Witch Hunt where the classic detective story meets the supernatural. These films combine gritty crime investigation with occult themes, offering a similar mix of mystery, atmosphere, and the unsettling feeling that magic is real and dangerous.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow an investigative structure, but the antagonist is often a supernatural force or a practitioner of dark arts. The protagonist, typically a skeptic or a weary professional, is forced to accept a new, terrifying reality as they unravel a conspiracy that blends human malice with magical power.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared fusion of noir aesthetics and occult themes. They create a specific mood where rational investigation collides with the irrational, resulting in a tense, atmospheric experience focused on uncovering hidden truths in a world where magic is real.

Movies About Power and Corruption Like Witch Hunt

Ambition and moral compromise collide with the dark side of fame and influence.If you liked the themes of political ambition and the dark cost of fame in Witch Hunt, you'll enjoy these other stories. They delve into moral ambiguity, the corrupting nature of influence, and personal transformation set against evocative historical backdrops.

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Narrative Summary

The plot typically revolves around an ambitious figure—a politician, starlet, or mogul—whose rise to power is built on a foundation of shady deals and ethical compromises. A central conflict forces a reckoning, leading to a climax where ambitions are shattered or profoundly altered, often resulting in a bittersweet victory that comes at a great personal cost.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects movies through their thematic focus on the corrupting influence of power within a distinct historical period. They share a dark tone, a steady pace of unfolding scandal, and a focus on characters navigating worlds where morality is fluid and the price of success is high.

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Witch Hunt Summary

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Witch Hunt Summary

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Witch Hunt Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Witch Hunt

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Witch Hunt

More About Witch Hunt

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