It was in November, but I watched "The Witch" (2015) for the first time.
Very disturbing, scary film. But let down by the ending. Still, the atmosphere up to that point made it worthwhile.
~Dee.
I also enjoyed The Witch. I didn't see anything wrong with the ending, though.
Some critics say that Thomasin was weak because she had doubts about her faith or because she longed for physical comfort or pleasure, as when she is tempted by the taste of butter (chocolate was off the menu in those days, I suppose). However, I don't share the opinion of those critics.
The Witch was based on real traditions and court testimony about alleged witches. In that era, the faith and prayers of the whole community were regarded as the source of spiritual strength. With that premise, the whole family became spiritually weak when the father's stubborn refusal to conform causes him to separate his family from the community. Among the most vulnerable are the unbaptised baby and the boy with no legitimate outlet for his growing sexual feelings. Once the mutual trust and support of the family is destroyed, any survivors are at the mercy of whoever does offer to help them.
I think that the story would make more sense if it were set in Europe rather than New England, though, in spite of the infamous Salem witch trials. If a family went to live in the American wilderness, as many families ultimately did as communities ran out of land, the least likely of the many dangers that they would have expected, even in their own imaginations, would be to encounter a community of European witches.
