I saw this movie when it first hit the theaters almost ten years ago, and felt like I was missing something. There was so much hype about it being a modern classic, but I was underwhelmed. After a rewatch, with subtitles turned on, I realized I really had missed something; half the dialogue.
The use (perhaps overuse) of seventeenth century language, along with some too-quiet vocals, makes missing key pieces of dialogue almost a sure thing. After watching it anew and understanding a few nuances I definitely missed the first time, the love for this movie makes a lot more sense.
The fate of banished family is almost a microcosm of the hysteria that overtook Salem in the late 1600s. Simple misunderstandings and a lack of knowledge of science or medicine, combined with an overzealous belief in God and the Devil, lead to paranoia. Every action is viewed through the lens of religious teachings and suddenly, family members turn on one another, seeing witches in each of them.
The climax twists it all toward the supernatural, and the fate of Thomasin is almost inevitable. Still, there is a lot of ambiguity that left me wondering and wanting for more. It is an excellent film but I think a few of the missing pieces need explanation. I'm giving it a B+ with Anya Taylor Joy's performance as the highlight. Streaming on Prime.
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