Who has watched "The Witch"?

It's critically acclaimed, and according to Stephen King, it scared the shit outta him. So any horror movie fan had to go see what the fuss was all about.

Theatrical Poster

A devoutly Puritan family has been ousted from the safety of their village. With nothing but their faith and each other, they attempt to rebuild near the woods, but the disappearance of their youngest and lack of food begins a spiral toward desperation, questions of faith, and easy prey for supernatural forces. It's Amityville Horror set in 1600s.

What I liked: The actors are superb. Nearly everyone shines in their role. This is as authentic a time period piece that I've ever saw. The focus on the family dynamics of the time period set with the backdrop of the Salem Witch trails, it is hard to believe that this is a directorial debut. Everything is there to make this a instant classic: The M Night Shyamalan feel of piercing shrills followed by silence, the human drama underneath the supernatural, and claustrophobic feel that something is out to destroy this family.  This isn't just a New England fairy tale. I really liked the subtle focus on how the families own obsession with sins, particularly their own, is truly what opens them up to corruption.
 

What I didn’t like: While definitely this film could stand with the likes of other classics in the horror genre, it’s neither psychologically scary or gory or particularly frightening. The Witch does a good job at stirring drama but it doesn't provide the jumps needed to sustain an average movie goer. Case in point: while near what could be described as the climax in the film (the family accusing each other of witchcraft), a snore punctuates the theatre. This wasn't in jest. Someone literally fell assleep watching this. If this were a novel, this story would achieve the sense of dark foreboding it aimed at creating. But on the silver screen, I can see why others would find this to be just a bore.

While The Witch is certainly bond to split viewers, there's no denying it has a mystically pull. I gave it 3.5 stars out of 5. I wanted more, but I didn't hate myself for paying for me and my date. The Witch is currently playing in theaters.