The Witch (2015) Movie Explained + Ending Explained
A Puritan Nightmare of Faith, Fear, and Familial Collapse
🗓️ Release Year
2015
📺 Streaming On
Netflix
IMDb
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
Certified Fresh
1. The Witch (2015) Explained: Full Plot Breakdown & Ending Analysis
Robert Eggers’ The Witch (subtitled A New-England Folktale) is not a conventional horror movie. It is a meticulously crafted, slow-burn descent into the psychological and supernatural terror that plagued the Puritan mind. This Movie Explained + Ending Explained guide will dissect its haunting narrative, complex themes, and that profoundly unsettling finale.
We will explore how the film uses historical authenticity as a vehicle for primal fear. This article will break down the plot, analyze the characters’ tragic arcs, and provide a clear interpretation of the infamous ending. If you left the film with more questions than answers, you’re in the right place.
2. Overview
The Witch is a period folk horror film set in 1630s New England. It follows a devout Puritan family exiled from their plantation community due to a religious dispute. They establish a farm on the edge of a vast, foreboding forest.
The movie establishes a mood of relentless dread and paranoia from its first frame. It operates on a dual level: a literal story of a family besieged by a supernatural entity, and a psychological study of faith cracking under isolation and hardship. With a runtime of 92 minutes, it is a dense, atmospheric, and unforgiving experience.
3. SPOILER WARNING
4. Story Explained
Act 1 Explained: Exile and the First Loss
The film opens with William and Katherine, along with their five children, being cast out of a Puritan settlement. William’s prideful religious rigidity is deemed problematic. The family builds a isolated farm next to a dark, whispering forest.
Their infant son, Samuel, vanishes during a game of peek-a-boo with the eldest daughter, Thomasin. The scene is a masterclass in tension, cutting from Thomasin’s covered eyes to an empty blanket. We see a cloaked figure rushing into the woods with the baby. This is the catalyst for the family’s unraveling.
Act 2 Explained: Paranoia and Accusation
Following Samuel’s disappearance, the family is consumed by grief and suspicion. The crops fail. The goat, Black Phillip, becomes an ominous presence. The twin children, Mercy and Jonas, whisper to the goat and speak of a “witch” in the woods.
Thomasin becomes the easy scapegoat for the family’s misfortunes. Her mother, Katherine, haunted by the loss of her baby, grows increasingly hostile. Meanwhile, the pre-teen son, Caleb, ventures into the forest searching for food. He encounters a seductive, seemingly innocent young woman who is later revealed to be the witch’s disguise.
Act 3 Explained: The Collapse
Caleb returns home in a feverish, possessed state, coughing up a rotten apple core and babbling about sinful pleasures. He dies in his father’s arms, sending Katherine into full psychotic break. She is convinced Thomasin is a witch who has made a pact with the devil.
In a final confrontation, William is gored to death by Black Phillip. Katherine, in her madness, tries to strangle Thomasin, accusing her of stealing her children. To save herself, Thomasin kills her mother with a hatchet. She is left utterly alone, surrounded by the corpses of her family, as dawn breaks.
5. Key Themes Explained
At its core, The Witch is about the disintegration of a family unit from within, accelerated by external evil. The movie explores religious extremism and how a faith based on fear and repression can become a self-fulfilling prophecy of damnation.
The theme of feminine persecution is central. Thomasin, on the cusp of womanhood, is blamed for everything—sexual desire (Caleb’s awakening), the loss of children, and barrenness (the failed crops). The forest and the witch represent a wild, amoral freedom that starkly contrasts with the oppressive Puritan home.
It’s also a story about the allure of sin. The film asks: if your god only offers hardship, condemnation, and loss, is the promise of power and pleasure from the devil not a tempting alternative?
6. Characters Explained
William: The patriarchal failure. His pride leads his family into exile. His inability to provide (hunting fails, crops die) dismantles his authority and faith, leaving only hollow doctrine.
Katherine: A mother shattered by grief. Her devotion curdles into fanaticism and hysteria. She projects her own guilt and repressed desires onto Thomasin, seeing her not as a daughter but as a rival and a demon.
Thomasin: The tragic heart of the film. She embodies the transition from innocence to experience. She seeks to be good but is met with constant blame and abuse. Her arc is from a devout girl to a survivor with nowhere left to turn but the very evil she was accused of.
Caleb: Represents burgeoning teenage sexuality and sin. His encounter with the witch is framed in erotic temptation, leading to his spiritual and physical corruption.
Black Phillip: More than a goat. He is the devil’s familiar, a patient, observing presence who guides the family’s destruction from within their own barn.
7. Twist Explained
The central “twist” is less a sudden reveal and more a gradual, horrifying confirmation. The film makes you question if the witch is real or a projection of the family’s paranoia. However, key scenes (the baby’s murder, the witch flying, Caleb’s corruption) are shown objectively.
The real twist is the film’s perspective. For most of the runtime, we see the witch as the external monster. The ending re-contextualizes her not just as a predator, but as a potential liberator for Thomasin. The evil was real all along, but its final victory comes not through force, but through offering the only choice left: freedom in damnation.
8. Movie Ending Explained
The ending is the film’s most discussed and analyzed sequence. Let’s break it down.
What Exactly Happens?
After killing her mother, a blood-spattered Thomasin sits shell-shocked by the dead goat, Black Phillip. The goat’s carcass cracks open, and a majestic, dark-furred buck emerges. A deep, seductive voice emanates from it—this is the devil. He asks Thomasin the iconic question: “Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?”
He offers her the pleasures of the world: pretty dresses, butter, a life of freedom. He asks her to sign his book. Numb and with nothing left, she answers, “Yes.” She pricks her finger with the dagger he offers and signs the book. The final shots show her entering the dark forest, where she comes upon a clearing of naked witches dancing ecstatically around a fire, levitating. Thomasin begins to smile, then laugh with a sense of terrifying release, and slowly rises into the air.
What The Ending Means
This is not a traditional “bad” ending, but a tragic liberation. Thomasin’s family and faith offered her only servitude, blame, and death. The devil, ironically, offers her agency, power, and community. Her ascent is the final rejection of a world that sought to crush her.
It confirms the Puritan’s worst fear: that their harsh, unforgiving doctrine could push their own children into the arms of Satan. Thomasin doesn’t choose evil over good; she chooses survival and power over martyrdom and abuse.
Director’s Intention
Director Robert Eggers has stated he wanted the ending to feel like a perverse “happy ending.” For Thomasin, it is a win. She escapes patriarchal and religious oppression. The horror for the viewer comes from recognizing the logic of her choice. We are left questioning what we would do in her place, making the ending profoundly uncomfortable.
9. Performances
The cast delivers uniformly stellar, committed performances. Anya Taylor-Joy, in her breakout role, is phenomenal as Thomasin. She conveys a seismic shift from dutiful innocence to hardened resilience with subtle, wrenching clarity.
Kate Dickie as Katherine is a raw nerve of grief and madness. Her scenes of prayerful despair are chilling. Ralph Ineson’s voice alone, deep and burdened, carries the weight of William’s failing patriarchy. The child actors are remarkably natural, avoiding all precociousness and instead embodying genuine fear and corruption.
10. Direction & Visuals
Eggers’ direction is defined by fastidious historical accuracy and a chilling command of atmosphere. The cinematography uses only natural light (candles, daylight), creating a stark, authentic, and often claustrophobic visual palette.
The 4:3 aspect ratio boxes the family in, mirroring their limited worldview and trapped existence. The sound design is a character itself—the constant wind, the rustling forest, the unnerving animal sounds. The score, composed of period-appropriate instruments and dissonant choral shrieks, is deeply unsettling.
11. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unmatched atmospheric dread and historical authenticity.
- Intelligent, theme-driven horror that rewards analysis.
- Stunning, career-making performance by Anya Taylor-Joy.
- A bold, unforgettable ending that sparks deep discussion.
- Minimalist approach that makes every supernatural moment impactful.
Cons:
- The slow pace and archaic dialogue may frustrate some viewers.
- The deliberate ambiguity early on can feel confusing.
- Not a film for those seeking jump scares or clear-cut monster action.
- The bleak, oppressive tone is emotionally draining.
12. Cast
| Actor/Actress | Character | Notable For |
|---|---|---|
| Anya Taylor-Joy | Thomasin | Breakout role; carries the film’s emotional weight. |
| Ralph Ineson | William | Iconic voice; embodies crumbling patriarchal authority. |
| Kate Dickie | Katherine | Raw portrayal of grief-turned-madness. |
| Harvey Scrimshaw | Caleb | Incredible performance of possession and fever. |
| Ellie Grainger | Mercy | Uncanny and creepy as the influenced twin. |
| Lucas Dawson | Jonas | Paired perfectly with Grainger. |
| Julian Richings | The Governor | Brief but memorable opening scene. |
13. Crew
| Role | Name | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Director / Writer | Robert Eggers | Visionary behind the film’s historical rigor and horror. |
| Cinematographer | Jarin Blaschke | Created the stark, naturalistic visual style. |
| Composer | Mark Korven | Designed the terrifying, immersive score. |
| Production Designer | Craig Lathrop | Built the authentic, isolated farmstead. |
| Costume Designer | Linda Muir | Researched and created accurate Puritan garments. |
14. Who Should Watch?
This movie is perfect for viewers who appreciate psychological horror, historical drama, and films that demand intellectual engagement. Fans of director Robert Eggers’ later work (The Lighthouse, The Northman) or Ari Aster’s films will find similar rewards here.
Avoid if you seek fast-paced action, constant jump scares, or a conventionally comforting narrative. This is a challenging, bleak, and masterful piece of cinema.
15. Verdict
The Witch is a modern horror masterpiece. It trades cheap thrills for a profound, lingering sense of dread rooted in historical psychology and familial dysfunction. Its power lies in its authenticity and its willingness to follow its bleak premise to a logical, terrifying conclusion.
The Ending Explained not as a defeat, but as a dark triumph, is what cements its status. It is a film that haunts you long after the credits roll, a testament to the power of folk horror done with supreme artistry and conviction.
16. Reviews & Rankings
Critical Consensus:
| Source | Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | 90% | “As thought-provoking as it is visually compelling, The Witch delivers a deeply unsettling exercise in supernatural horror.” |
| Metacritic | 83 | “Universal Acclaim” |
| IMDb User Score | 7.0/10 | Strong audience divide between those who found it boring and those who found it brilliant. |
17. Where to Watch
The Witch (2015) is available to stream on Netflix in many regions. It is also available for digital rental/purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play.
The Witch (2015) – Frequently Asked Questions
A Folk Horror Masterpiece Set in 1630s New England
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “The Witch” about?+
“The Witch” (stylized as “The VVitch”) is a 2015 folk horror film written and directed by Robert Eggers. Set in 1630s New England, it follows a Puritan family who are banished from their plantation community and must establish a new life on the edge of a remote forest. After their newborn son mysteriously vanishes and their crops fail, the family begins to suspect that an evil supernatural force is at work, leading to paranoia, religious hysteria, and suspicion among them.
Is “The Witch” based on a true story?+
While not directly based on a specific historical event, the film is heavily inspired by actual folklore, journals, and trial records from 17th-century New England. Director Robert Eggers conducted extensive research into Puritan beliefs, period language, and witch trial documents to create an authentic portrayal of the era’s fears and superstitions. Many elements in the film are drawn from historical accounts of witchcraft accusations and folk tales from the period.
What is the meaning of the ending?+
The ending is intentionally ambiguous but suggests that Thomasin, the family’s eldest daughter, ultimately embraces witchcraft after her entire family has been destroyed. In the final scene, she enters the forest and joins a coven of witches hovering around a fire. This can be interpreted as her liberation from the oppressive Puritan patriarchy that confined her, or as her damnation after being corrupted by evil forces. The film leaves it to viewers to decide whether this represents freedom or damnation.
Why is it called “The VVitch”?+
The stylized title “The VVitch” uses a double-V instead of a W, which is a historical typographical style. In early English printing, the letter “W” was often represented by two “V” letters (VV) because the “W” character was not always available in type sets. This choice reflects the film’s commitment to historical authenticity and immediately signals to viewers that this is a period piece set in the 17th century.
What is Black Phillip’s significance?+
Black Phillip is the family’s male goat who serves as a major symbol in the film. In folklore, goats (particularly black ones) were often associated with the Devil and witchcraft. As the story progresses, Black Phillip becomes increasingly sinister, eventually speaking to Thomasin and revealing himself as Satan. He represents the temptation and evil that the Puritans believed lurked in the wilderness, and serves as the catalyst for Thomasin’s transformation.
How historically accurate is the film?+
Director Robert Eggers placed a strong emphasis on historical accuracy in several aspects: the dialogue uses period-appropriate language drawn from diaries, letters, and court documents; the costumes and sets were meticulously researched and recreated; and the portrayal of Puritan beliefs and fears reflects genuine 17th-century worldviews. However, the supernatural elements are, of course, fictionalized representations of what Puritans believed to be real.
What is the film’s rating and why?+
“The Witch” is rated R for disturbing violent content and graphic nudity. The film contains intense scenes including infant disappearance, animal death, and unsettling imagery related to witchcraft. There is also brief nudity in the final scenes. While not excessively gory compared to many horror films, its psychological terror and historical realism create a deeply unsettling experience that warrants the R rating.
Who are the main cast members?+
The film features: Anya Taylor-Joy (in her film debut) as Thomasin; Ralph Ineson as William, the father; Kate Dickie as Katherine, the mother; Harvey Scrimshaw as Caleb, the eldest son; and Ellie Grainger and Lucas Dawson as the younger twins, Mercy and Jonas. The casting of relatively unknown actors added to the film’s authentic, period-appropriate feel.
What are the major themes explored in the film?+
Major themes include: Religious fanaticism and paranoia; the oppressive nature of Puritan patriarchy; the loss of innocence; the fear of the wilderness and the unknown; female empowerment versus damnation; family disintegration under stress; and the conflict between austere religion and natural human desires. The film examines how fear and superstition can destroy communities from within.
How was the film received by critics and audiences?+
“The Witch” received widespread critical acclaim upon release, with particular praise for its atmospheric tension, historical authenticity, direction, and Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance. It holds a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it divided general audiences with its slow-burn approach, period-accurate dialogue, and ambiguous ending. It has since gained a strong cult following and is considered a landmark in the modern folk horror revival.
