It took a long time to realize I was into witchy shit. And pardon the vulgarity, that’s just what it’s called. If you’re into witchy shit, check out my latest Halloween romp.
But I’ve been a horror movie fan since my teens, and there was a really cool boom of wicca appreciation that happened post The Craft, which was the indoctrinator for a lot of peers at the time. I loved it then and think it holds up. It doesn’t need a sequel or a remake, even if it stars David Duchovny.
Like Matrix clones and Pulp Fiction-likes, there was a slew of Craft adjacent media in its wake. The Charmed tv show went on to do seemingly 340 seasons with 16 different cast changes. Practical Magic provided pre-Hallmark channel vibes years before Hallmark channel would become my go-to for IBS mishaps.
But then the Blair Witch Project happened, and shit got serious. With it’s unseen horrors, confusion, and spooky wooden decorations, Blair Witch was silent until it screamed, and it’s momentum went far beyond the initial viewing. This was my shit.
Everyone had a friend that swore it was real. It’s internet campaign might be considered proto-ARG. Word of mouth was such a powerful thing back then, and it pushed this micro budget film to be a massive success. It’s influence on found footage can’t be understated, BUT for the purpose of this blog, well, it was quite well known. So here are several lesser known witchy movies.
The Woods (2006)
Enter Lucky McKee’s The Woods. This movie has everything: A dark school for witches, Bruce Campbell, tree horror, Patricia Clarkson. With McKee’s trademark eerie, slow-burn atmospheric horror, I wonder why this movie hasn’t risen to a cult status over time. It’s one I’ve re-watched a few times and the one that ignited a passion for witches AND plant based horror.
The Love Witch (2016)
A witch’s motivations aren’t always clear cut. They can be benevolent, mischievous, or plain old cackling evil. The Love Witch is just searching for love, but in doing so, she brings such chaos, trauma, and devastation wherever she goes. Directed by Anna Biller in a striking style that resembles movies from the 70s, The Love Witch portrays the witch as a cursed and tragic woman who is strong willed but reckless in her pursuit of love.
Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
I love, love, LOVE a movie that is just 2-3 people in a single space, talking and acting their asses off. Especially when one of them is Brian Cox.
A simple premise leads to a wonderful and thought provoking haunt that will stick with you long after the first viewing. I’m also a sucker for foreshadowed mechanics, as soon as they have the conversation about the bells on the bodies, you know those bells are going to ring at some point.
The Wretched (2019)
I don’t remember everything about this one, other than 1. It was good and 2. It was in a coastal town. Turns out it was a filmed in Northport, Michigan, so add that to the list of amazing horror movies filmed in Michigan. It definitely did some unique and interesting things, with a bit of a lighthearted teenager coming-of-age story as the backdrop. Plenty of mischievous and dark witchy things going on in this one.
And that’s it! Check these movies out for a bonafide witchy shit marathon.
