Writer-director Benjamin Christensen - who acts in the film as both the Devil and Jesus - frames witch hunts as a mass social injustice borne out of ignorance, perpetrated in particular against the mentally ill.Īn obvious choice, but for good reason. for its explicit content because Americans were apparently less than thrilled to watch witches whip up a batch of unbaptized-baby stew or literally kiss Satan’s ass. The film was originally banned in the U.S. With its groundbreaking use of stop-motion animation, double exposures, and other effects, the ominous and surrealist imagery of Häxan (Swedish for “witch”) remains indelible a century later. This haunting Swedish Danish silent film is part historical survey of medieval witchcraft and witch hunts, part dramatic re-creations thereof. Wouldst thou like to watch deliciously? Häxan (1922) But all are strange, surprising, and at least a little dangerous. Like witches themselves, these movies resist easy classification: Here you’ll find selections from horror and comedy, as well as entries that blend or defy both genres. For that, we kindly direct your attention to the rest of pop culture.)īelow, Vulture makes the case for the 21 best witch flicks ever made. (No disrespect to the wizards and witches of Hogwarts, but you’ll find this is a Harry Potter–free zone. Whether you’re into the fun-for-all-ages allure of Hocus Pocus (and its sequel, now on Disney+) or the blood-spewing charms of Black Sunday, somewhere out there is a pointy hat and broomstick that’ll fit you just right. What makes witch movies so fascinating as a collection, though, is their wide variety of tones and messages. Isn’t it high time that the witches of cinema also get the acclaim they deserve? A great witch movie is inherently compelling because it’s driven by a person - a woman, usually - who refuses to behave the way that society demands. If you’re a horror-movie aficionado, you’ve seen more vampires, werewolves, zombies, and serial killers than you could shake a stick, stake, silver bullet, or arrest warrant at. We’ve added more movies and we’re republishing in honor of Hocus Pocus 2. This list was originally published in 2017 as part of Vulture’s Witch Week. Photo-Illustration: Vulture Photos Courtesy of the Studios and Getty Images
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