THE WITCH | FAMILY MOVIE REVIEW INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND KIDS

"THE WITCH"
(2016) (Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson) (R)

QUICK TAKE:: Horror: A banished, religious family tries to make a go of it on their own on a remote farm in early 17th century New England, but must contend with events that might be supernatural in nature.

PLOT:

It's 1630 New England, and due to religious differences, a family of seven has been banished from their Puritan community. With a strong belief in God, William (RALPH INESON) and Katherine (KATE DICKIE) begin life anew with their young teenager daughter, Thomasin (ANYA TAYLOR-JOY); her younger brother, Caleb (HARVEY SCRIMSHAW); their younger mischievous twin siblings, Mercy (ELLIE GRAINGER) and Jonas (LUCAS DAWSON); and the newest addition to the family, infant Samuel.

With Thomasin and Caleb helping around the farmhouse they've built on the edge of a thick forest, William does what he can to provide for the family. But when someone or something snatches Samuel off into the woods never to be seen again, things slowly start to unravel. The grieving Katherine blames Thomasin who was watching the boy at the time, while Caleb in conflicted, knowing he shouldn't be enticed by his sister's burgeoning womanhood but finding himself affected that way nonetheless.

Then the crops start dying, the twins start acting strangely around a goat they've named Black Philip, and trips into the woods lead to the family coming under further strains. With the twins believing Thomasin's earlier mean prank about being a witch, Caleb suddenly seeming possessed after a creepy encounter in the forest, and Katherine becoming further unhinged, it comes into question whether the family is simply experiencing more than their share of bad luck, or if something evil has infiltrated their already difficult lives.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: Teens who are into creepy horror films might show some interest.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R: For disturbing violent content and graphic nudity.

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