The Witch

Robert Eggers’ The Witch (2015) is one of the most critically
acclaimed horror films of recent years, praised as a genre film of
unusual depth which eschews jump scares in favour of a gradually and
steadily building tension. Set in newly colonized New England in the
early seventeenth century, the film’s deep historical and mythological
background, as well as its complicated and interlocking character arcs,
make for a film whose viewers will be well served by this Devil’s
Advocate, the first stand-alone critical study of the film. As well as
providing the historical and religious background necessary for a fuller
appreciation, including an insight into the Puritan movement in New
England Brandon Grafius situates the film within a number of horror
sub-genres (such as folk horror) as well as its other literary and
folkloric influences.