“The Witch” is a critically acclaimed horror film released in 2015, directed by Robert Eggers. The movie is set in the 17th century and follows the story of a Puritan family that is banished from their community and forced to live in the wilderness.
The primary themes of the movie are isolation, paranoia, and religious fanaticism. The movie explores the psychological effects of being isolated from society, and how this isolation can lead to paranoia and religious hysteria. The film also examines the role of women in society, particularly in the context of religious fundamentalism.
People love “The Witch” because of its unique approach to horror. Instead of relying on jump scares and gore, the movie uses atmosphere and tension to create a sense of dread. The film’s use of language, costumes, and historical accuracy also adds to its appeal, making it a truly immersive experience for viewers.
“The Witch” was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $40 million worldwide on a budget of only $4 million. The film received numerous accolades, including Best Director at the Sundance Film Festival and nominations for Best First Feature and Best Cinematography at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Despite its popularity, the movie is not without controversy. Some viewers have criticized the film for its slow pace and lack of action, while others have accused it of perpetuating negative stereotypes about witchcraft and paganism.
Overall, “The Witch” is a thought-provoking and unsettling movie that has earned its place as a modern horror classic. Its unique approach to the genre and attention to detail have captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide, making it a must-see for horror fans and cinephiles alike.
“Hereditary” (2018) – A haunting story about a family that unravels after the death of their grandmother, revealing dark secrets about their ancestry.
“The Babadook” (2014) – A psychological horror film about a single mother who becomes convinced that a monster from a children’s book is stalking her and her son.
“The Lighthouse” (2019) – Another Robert Eggers film, “The Lighthouse” tells the story of two lighthouse keepers who slowly descend into madness on a remote island in the 1890s.
“The VVitch: A New-England Folktale” (2015) – A period horror film set in the 1630s, “The VVitch” tells the story of a Puritan family who fall victim to witchcraft.
“Rosemary’s Baby” (1968) – A classic horror film about a young woman who becomes pregnant and begins to suspect that her husband and their neighbors are part of a sinister cult.
“The Wicker Man” (1973) – A cult classic horror film about a police sergeant who investigates the disappearance of a young girl on a remote island, only to uncover a disturbing pagan ritual.
“The Invitation” (2015) – A slow-burning thriller about a man who is invited to a dinner party by his ex-wife and her new husband, only to suspect that something sinister is afoot.
“The Blackcoat’s Daughter” (2015) – A supernatural horror film about two girls who are left alone at their boarding school over winter break, only to discover that something evil is lurking in the shadows.
“Apostle” (2018) – A horror film set in 1905 about a man who travels to a remote island to rescue his sister from a religious cult, only to uncover dark secrets and supernatural forces.
1. “Hereditary” (2018)
“Hereditary” is a horror movie that follows the story of the Graham family, who experience a series of disturbing events after the death of the family’s matriarch, Ellen. The mother, Annie (played by Toni Collette), begins to unravel secrets about her family’s past, and her own sanity begins to crumble as she becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea of the supernatural.
The movie is a slow-burning horror that relies heavily on atmosphere and psychological tension to build suspense. The cinematography is stunning, with haunting and eerie imagery that adds to the sense of unease. The acting is superb, with standout performances from Collette, Alex Wolff (who plays her son, Peter), and Milly Shapiro (who plays her daughter, Charlie).
The movie shares several similarities with “The Witch.” Both films focus on the psychological breakdown of a family and explore themes of isolation, paranoia, and supernatural forces. They also use similar techniques to build tension, relying on atmosphere and slow-burning suspense rather than jump scares or gore.
Overall, “Hereditary” is a masterful horror film that is sure to leave audiences feeling disturbed and unsettled. It is a must-see for fans of the genre and those who enjoyed “The Witch.”
2. “The Babadook” (2014)
“The Babadook” is a psychological horror movie that centers around Amelia (played by Essie Davis), a single mother struggling to raise her son, Samuel (played by Noah Wiseman), after the death of her husband. Samuel is obsessed with monsters and becomes convinced that a supernatural creature called the Babadook is stalking them. As the Babadook’s influence grows, Amelia’s grip on reality begins to slip.
Similar to “The Witch,” “The Babadook” is a slow-burning horror film that focuses on the psychological breakdown of its characters. It explores themes of grief, loss, and the difficulties of single parenthood. The movie relies on atmosphere and psychological tension to build suspense, and the acting is superb, with Davis delivering a standout performance.
The movie is visually stunning, with a distinct style that adds to its overall creepy and unsettling atmosphere. The Babadook itself is a chilling creation that will haunt viewers long after the movie ends.
Overall, “The Babadook” is a haunting and deeply affecting horror film that explores the psychological toll of grief and loss. It shares many similarities with “The Witch” in terms of its focus on psychological horror and its use of atmosphere and tension to build suspense.
3. “The Lighthouse” (2019)
“The Lighthouse” is a psychological horror movie set in the 1890s, following the story of two lighthouse keepers, Thomas Wake (played by Willem Dafoe) and Ephraim Winslow (played by Robert Pattinson), who become trapped on a remote island during a storm. As they struggle to maintain their sanity, tensions rise between them, and they begin to experience strange and unsettling supernatural phenomena.
Similar to “The Witch” and “Hereditary,” “The Lighthouse” is a slow-burning horror film that relies heavily on atmosphere and tension to build suspense. The cinematography is stunning, with stark black and white imagery that adds to the sense of isolation and foreboding. The acting is superb, with both Dafoe and Pattinson delivering powerful performances.
The movie explores themes of isolation, madness, and power dynamics, as the two men struggle for control in a claustrophobic and unsettling environment. It is a challenging and deeply thought-provoking movie that will leave viewers with more questions than answers.
Overall, “The Lighthouse” is a masterful horror film that explores the darker aspects of human nature and the effects
4. “The VVitch: A New-England Folktale” (2015)
“The VVitch: A New-England Folktale” is a horror movie set in the 1630s in New England, following the story of a Puritan family who are banished from their village and forced to live on a remote farm on the edge of a forest. The family’s infant son mysteriously disappears, and the family begins to suspect that their eldest daughter, Thomasin (played by Anya Taylor-Joy), may be a witch.
The movie is a slow-burning horror that relies heavily on atmosphere and psychological tension to build suspense. The cinematography is stunning, with haunting and eerie imagery that adds to the sense of unease. The acting is superb, with standout performances from Taylor-Joy and Ralph Ineson (who plays the father, William).
Similar to “The Witch,” the movie explores themes of isolation, paranoia, and supernatural forces, and is based on real folklore and historical events. The film also shares a similar tone, focusing on the psychological breakdown of the family as they become increasingly consumed by their fears and suspicions.
Overall, “The VVitch: A New-England Folktale” is a masterful horror film that is sure to leave audiences feeling disturbed and unsettled. It is a must-see for fans of the genre and those who enjoyed “The Witch.”
5. “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968)
“Rosemary’s Baby” is a horror movie that follows the story of Rosemary Woodhouse (played by Mia Farrow), a young woman who becomes pregnant and begins to suspect that her husband and neighbors are part of a satanic cult with sinister intentions for her unborn child.
Similar to “The Witch,” “Rosemary’s Baby” is a slow-burning horror film that focuses on the psychological breakdown of its main character. The movie explores themes of isolation, paranoia, and supernatural forces, and is based on real-life fears and anxieties about satanic cults in the late 1960s.
The movie is visually stunning, with a distinct style that adds to its overall creepy and unsettling atmosphere. Farrow delivers a powerful performance as Rosemary, capturing the character’s increasing sense of unease and terror as she becomes more and more convinced that something sinister is happening around her.
Overall, “Rosemary’s Baby” is a classic horror film that still holds up today as a masterful exploration of psychological horror. It shares many similarities with “The Witch” in terms of its focus on psychological horror and its use of atmosphere and tension to build suspense.
6. “The Wicker Man” (1973)
“The Wicker Man” is a horror movie that follows the story of Sergeant Neil Howie (played by Edward Woodward), a devoutly Christian police officer who travels to a remote island off the coast of Scotland to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. As Howie delves deeper into the island’s culture and beliefs, he begins to suspect that the islanders are preparing for a pagan ritual that will culminate in his own sacrifice.
Similar to “The Witch,” “The Wicker Man” is a slow-burning horror film that explores themes of isolation, paranoia, and supernatural forces. It also features a unique and distinct setting, with the remote island setting adding to the overall sense of unease and isolation.
The movie is visually stunning, with a unique and eerie atmosphere that adds to the sense of foreboding. Woodward delivers a powerful performance as Howie, capturing the character’s increasing sense of desperation and fear as he becomes more and more convinced of the islanders’ sinister intentions.
Overall, “The Wicker Man” is a classic horror film that is still highly regarded today as a masterful exploration
7. “The Invitation” (2015)
“The Invitation” is a psychological horror movie that follows the story of a man named Will (played by Logan Marshall-Green), who attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife and her new husband. As the night goes on, Will begins to suspect that there may be something sinister at play, and the guests may not be who they seem.
Similar to “The Witch,” “The Invitation” is a slow-burning horror film that relies on tension and atmosphere to build suspense. The movie explores themes of isolation, paranoia, and the breakdown of trust, as Will becomes increasingly convinced that his ex-wife and her guests have ulterior motives.
The movie is visually stunning, with a unique and eerie atmosphere that adds to the overall sense of unease. Marshall-Green delivers a standout performance as Will, capturing the character’s increasing sense of desperation and paranoia.
Overall, “The Invitation” is a masterful horror film that is sure to leave audiences feeling unnerved and on edge. It shares many similarities with “The Witch” in terms of its focus on psychological horror and its use of tension and atmosphere to build suspense.
8. “The Blackcoat’s Daughter” (2015)
“The Blackcoat’s Daughter” is a horror movie that follows the story of two teenage girls, Kat (played by Kiernan Shipka) and Rose (played by Lucy Boynton), who are left alone at their boarding school over winter break. As strange occurrences begin to happen, the girls begin to suspect that they may be in the presence of evil forces.
Similar to “The Witch,” “The Blackcoat’s Daughter” is a slow-burning horror film that focuses on psychological horror and the breakdown of its main characters. The movie explores themes of isolation, grief, and supernatural forces, and is set in a remote and eerie location.
The movie is visually stunning, with a unique and eerie atmosphere that adds to the overall sense of unease. Shipka and Boynton both deliver powerful performances as the troubled and isolated girls, capturing the characters’ increasing sense of terror and paranoia.
Overall, “The Blackcoat’s Daughter” is a haunting and atmospheric horror film that is sure to leave audiences feeling disturbed and unsettled. It shares many similarities with “The Witch” in terms of its focus on psychological horror and its use of atmosphere to build tension.
9. “Apostle” (2018)
“Apostle” is a horror movie set in the early 20th century, following the story of a man named Thomas Richardson (played by Dan Stevens) who travels to a remote island to rescue his sister from a religious cult. As Thomas delves deeper into the island’s beliefs and practices, he begins to uncover a sinister and supernatural presence that threatens to consume him.
Similar to “The Witch,” “Apostle” is a slow-burning horror film that explores themes of isolation, paranoia, and supernatural forces. The movie is set in a remote and eerie location, with stunning visuals that add to the overall sense of unease.
Stevens delivers a powerful performance as Thomas, capturing the character’s increasing sense of desperation and terror as he becomes more and more embroiled in the cult’s beliefs and practices.
Overall, “Apostle” is a masterful horror film that is sure to leave audiences feeling disturbed and on edge. It shares many similarities with “The Witch” in terms of its focus on psychological horror and its use of atmosphere and tension to build suspense.
Here’s a table with the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes scores for the movies:
| Movie Title | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| The Witch (2015) | 6.9 | 90% |
| Hereditary (2018) | 7.3 | 89% |
| The Babadook (2014) | 6.8 | 98% |
| The Lighthouse (2019) | 7.5 | 90% |
| The VVitch (2015) | 6.9 | 90% |
| Rosemary’s Baby (1968) | 8.0 | 96% |
| The Wicker Man (1973) | 7.5 | 88% |
| The Invitation (2015) | 6.6 | 88% |
| The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015) | 5.8 | 73% |
| Apostle (2018) | 6.3 | 80% |