Written and directed by Dave Eggers, The Witch is one of the darkest and most atmospheric horror movies ever released. Released in 2015 by A24, The Witch stars Anya Taylor-Joy in her film debut as Thomasin, a teenager living in New England in the 1630s. The fear of witchcraft is all around, and it appears that Thomasin might be one.
Many strange things happen throughout The Witch, from a talking goat to Katherine thinking that a raven is a baby. It's an intense movie that has many disturbing moments. And it was an early example of the creative risks that filmmakers working for A24 make. There's a lot to analyze about the ending of The Witch, including what happens to Thomasin.
What Happens At The End Of The Witch?
The Witch ending is as dark as the rest of the movie. The New England town is full of chaos, as Katherine (Kate Dickie) hurts Thomasin and Thomasin murders Katherine. Thomasin wakes up in her cabin and is surprised to find a goat talking to her. If that wasn't strange and confusing enough, the goat becomes a man who says that if she writes her name in a book and takes off her clothing, she will be wealthy, happy, and comfortable. Like the best horror movies of the 2010s, The Witch tells a full story of a main character who stands apart from many others.
Thomasin discovers a coven of witches in the forest. Thomasin and the others laugh and levitate in the air. This is a dark yet beautiful ending and Anya Taylor-Joy proves herself to be one of the strongest and most interesting horror actresses working today. She gives one of the best horror movie performances when she realizes that she has magical powers that she can now access.
In an interview with The Verge, Robert Eggers talked about the feminist message of The Witch. This is why the movie feels relevant and fascinating today, despite its 1630s setting. Eggers said, "I wanted this to be presented without judgment, to just tell this particular story. But it's so blatant how feminism rises to the top. It just does. From a contemporary perspective, looking back, it's clear that in the early modern period, the evil witch [represents] men's fears and ambivalence and fantasies about female power. And in this super male-dominated society, the evil witch is also women's fears and ambivalence and fantasies and desire about their own power."
The Witch is a particularly impressive horror movie that feels full of thought and care. It has a 90% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer and a 60% Audience Score, which is fairly good. It's an example of one of the best elevated horror movies because it deals with serious and interesting themes instead of just presenting slash and gore.
Eggers is right that although The Witch is set in the past, its themes and message are very relevant. Thomasin is so feared throughout the movie because she is strong, confident, and different from everyone around her. She isn't one to follow religion the way that her family and fellow townspeople do, and that's a problem for them. The Salem witch trials are a dark part of history and prove that people have always been afraid of what they don't understand.
It's amazing to think that Anya Taylor-Joy could have been cast in a Disney pilot rather than agreeing to play Thomas in The Witch. It's hard to picture anyone else taking on this gritty and raw role. She infuses Thomasin with lots of emotion and pain. And even though the movie is set in the 1630s, Thomasin is like a modern-day teenager. She's spirited, passionate, and knows that she can follow her truth, despite what her mother and everyone else thinks.
Does The Witch Have A Happy Ending?
Some might say that The Witch ending is bleak, as Thomasin kills her own mother and she breaks any ties and bonds that she has to her family. But because Thomasin is so empowered, it's definitely possible to say that The Witch has a somewhat hopeful ending that suggests she will be happy in the future.
As Thomasin becomes a witch, she finds meaning in her life. It's important for her to feel like she has a purpose as she has struggled for years. It's clear that in her world, the only possible path was motherhood and family life. And while Katherine accepted that, Thomasin saw her mother in pain and knew that she didn't want to live that way.
Whether someone thinks that The Witch has a happy ending or not, it's definitely a satisfying horror movie ending that allows Thomasin to forge her own path and do what feels right to her. She's a fascinating character who lives by her own rules in a harsh society where that is very difficult to do.