There are many gods in the forests of Asia, such as "Where, where, God goes to the village". There are more demons in the forests of Europe, such as this film.
In fact, this film reflects the social environment at that time very well. The Black Death that swept across Europe and the religious reform struggle initiated by the survivors all made many people despair of God and survival, and suffering devastated their lives. Faith and a firm heart, the regime's mercenary and insensitivity make the life of the protagonist's family turned upside down.
William (father) was treated unfairly. Even if he felt sad, he still prayed devoutly day after day. He split wood every day to vent his anger. In the end, he was pierced by the black goat's horn and died. In fact, he could still struggle and resist. After all, when the black goat hit him the second time, he had already touched the axe on the ground, but he didn't fight back, he just lowered his hand and let the black goat charge at him. At this time, he had no desire to survive, and he could survive. how? Continue to face the pain of losing one son after another? A grieving wife's accusation? The fact that the rest of the children could be witches or possessed by Satan? The last prayer was actually a confession to God. At this moment, he could no longer believe that God would mercifully redeem him.
Catherine (mother) lost her son, the last grass that crushed the camel, and shattered all expectations for life. Until she saw her lost sons in a dream, her left breast was pecked by a crow. A hint of being called by Satan. She shied away from the guilt of losing her younger son, and sold her daughter for her own sake but lost her son because of it. She put blame and anger on her eldest daughter. In fact, she was complaining about her poor life and God. Why am I so devout, you but will not redeem me?
The protagonist Thomasin is actually just a little girl who is full of confusion about the future in adolescence. The changes in her family make her have to quickly grow into an adult who can take on family responsibilities. Facing her mother's accusations, she is also full of guilt and sadness, but she also comforts her gently. The younger brother worked hard to help the mother with the housework, and faced with the decision of the parents to send her away, he just resigned and did not resist, until the father felt chilled because of his sister's identification and mistakenly thought she was a witch, and the mother believed that she was the one who caused the family to be ruined. 2 But when he tried to strangle her, his reason and belief finally collapsed. After killing her mother and joining Satan, she has no choice.
It is suffering, fear, anger, doubt, conceit, blindness, desire and other emotions that disintegrate the family little by little. The insect master Zhong Yingu once said: If you get too close to the Yinghe in the dark, you will lose your eyes. Will the suffering of life destroy people's faith? Yes.
There are also many symbols of Satan in the film, such as: the black misty forest, the gray rabbit in the woods and the sheepfold, the black goat in the yard, the twins singing unpleasant songs, Caleb spit out The apple, the black crow pecking at Catherine's chest, and the ritual of dancing wildly around the bonfire at the end of the film. (ps This ceremony always reminds me of the sound coming from the basement of the church near my house that I pass by every night. It is not a light but candlelight, and the chanting sounds creepy, but people say that it is a serious Catholic ceremony. Ceremony, am I overthinking it?)
Here is a scene from the film that I like very much. It's kind of Caravaggio-esque. There is only a ray of light shining on them in the dim room, on their faces and their prayerful hearts.
View more about The Witch reviews
