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The Witch

The Witch is a 2015 gothic folk horror film written and directed by Robert Eggers in his feature directorial debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Witch is a 2015 gothic folk horror film written and directed by Robert Eggers in his feature directorial debut. Set in 1630s New England, it follows a Puritan family that becomes consumed by fear after encountering a sinister force in the woods. The film stars Anya Taylor-Joy in her first film role and was released in 2016 in wide distribution.

Plot

The story follows a Puritan family living on the edge of a forest in 1630s New England. After a series of disturbing events, suspicion and fear turn the family against one another as they confront an apparent evil force.

Production

The Witch was written and directed by Robert Eggers, marking his first feature film. It was produced as an international co-production among the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Release

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2015, and received a wide theatrical release by A24 on February 19, 2016. The release followed an earlier festival run and positioned the film for a broader audience.

Reception

The film was both a financial and critical success. It grossed about $40 million against a reported $4 million budget and has been described by some sources as one of the best horror films of the 2010s.

Key facts

  • The Witch was Robert Eggers’s feature directorial debut.
  • Set in 1630s New England, it centres on a Puritan family.
  • Anya Taylor-Joy made her feature film debut in the lead role.
  • The film premiered at Sundance on January 27, 2015, and had wide release February 19, 2016.
  • It was an international co-production involving the US, UK, and Canada.
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Canadian context

The film was an international co-production involving Canada, which may be relevant to Canadian film industry and co-production coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Witch about?
It follows a Puritan family in 1630s New England that is threatened by a sinister force in the woods and begins to fall apart under fear and suspicion.
Who directed The Witch?
Robert Eggers wrote and directed the film, which was his feature directorial debut.
Who stars in The Witch?
The film stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger, and Lucas Dawson.
When was The Witch released?
It premiered at Sundance on January 27, 2015, and was widely released on February 19, 2016.
Is The Witch a Canadian film?
It was an international co-production that included Canada, along with the United States and the United Kingdom.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Witch_(2015_film)
    Supports: Title, director, cast, setting, premiere date, wide release, co-production countries, budget and gross
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4263482/
    Supports: Original title and basic film identification
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_witch_2016
    Supports: Director, genre, release date, runtime, synopsis, and box office context
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Witch_(2015_film)
    Supports: Summary of plot, production, and reception