“The Witch” (2015), also known as The VVitch: A New-England Folktale, is a psychological horror film directed by Robert Eggers in his feature film debut. The movie is set in 1630s New England and is known for its chilling atmosphere, historical authenticity, and exploration of religious paranoia.

The story follows a Puritan family that is exiled from their colonial settlement and relocates to a remote farm near the edge of a dark forest. The family consists of parents William (Ralph Ineson) and Katherine (Kate Dickie), their eldest daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), and her younger siblings. Strange and terrifying events begin to occur after the family’s newborn mysteriously vanishes while under Thomasin’s care, leading them to suspect that a witch is lurking in the nearby woods.

As tensions rise and paranoia grows, the family members start turning against each other, with Thomasin becoming the primary suspect of witchcraft. The film gradually builds a sense of dread and unease, blurring the line between supernatural horror and the psychological effects of isolation, fear, and religious fanaticism.

The Witch is lauded for its unsettling mood, meticulous attention to historical detail, and the breakout performance of Anya Taylor-Joy. Rather than relying on jump scares, the film creates a slow-burning tension, exploring themes of sin, guilt, and the breakdown of a family under immense stress.

The movie’s haunting atmosphere and thought-provoking narrative have made it a standout in modern horror, earning it critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.