The Book of the Witch

Verdict on The Book of the Witch Recap

The movie follows a security guard who is haunted by something from her past. She is investigating a supernatural connection which leads her down a path and confronting the same entity which haunts her.

Best Parts

The movie uses the haunted soul hunting for answers to drive the story forward. We get two people who are alone in the world and must overcome their demons to solve the problem. Along with the witches' presence being more open and haunting, it makes things feel more terrifying in places.

Worst Parts

The location is strange with a large part of the movie being set in a large, abandoned building in the middle of the city. It works at times but also can feel a bit more out of place too.

Final Thoughts -The Book of the Witch creates a compelling mystery.

Directed by Joshua Sowden, THE BOOK OF THE WITCH is a solid micro-budget indie horror film that blends Western American folk horror, with supernatural witch fantasy. It oozes lots of dreamy atmosphere and great wide angle shots with darkened silhouettes of our characters, giving us this doom impending slow burning mystery. I was very impressed with the production and cinematography right from the get go, and all done on a micro budget of $12k.

Victoria, who is plagued by her fear of death, becomes obsessed with tracking down a witch and stealing her book of spells out in the Californian desert; to help cheat death and become eternal, but there's a price to be paid. Like a moth drawn to the flame, you already sense the impending doom that's awaiting like a well planned trap. The visuals from Joshua Sowden were created nicely and I really enjoyed the dreamy sound design too.

Overall, I genuinely enjoyed THE BOOK OF THE WITCH, and thought the cast were all very solid with their performances. Krishna Smitha was excellent throughout the whole film and her chemistry with Danny Parker-Lopes was great too. Despite some little issues I had towards the end, where I felt personally that the film may have hurried itself to the finish line, I still enjoyed the film as a whole. I also loved the psychological hallucinatory fever dream feel throughout the whole story in a way that reminded me of David Lynch. I'll definitely be looking out for further projects from these filmmakers in the future.

I really enjoyed this film, excellent photography, editing and colour grading. Scary as hell, kept me on the edge of my seat. The lead actress was very easy on the eye too. Great performances. Highly recommend. It goes to show what you can do with small budgets. Films like this are a testament to quality micro-budgets and proves good acting, pacing and story makes it possible for any filmmaker to achieve great heights if you plan correctly. Reminiscent of 'The Ring' and 'The Hills Have Eyes'. And if you're a fan of occult movies then this is one to watch out for also. Really looking forward to see what this tram comes up with next!

Joshua Sowden pulls it out of the bag again!

Book of the Witch is a masterful dive into the supernatural horror genre, delivering a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll. With its stunning cinematography, terrifying antagonist, and a gripping narrative, this film is a standout for both horror enthusiasts and cinephiles alike.

The story unfolds with a sense of deliberate pacing, pulling viewers into a world where folklore and modern fears collide. Sowden crafts a tale that is both deeply unsettling and richly layered, blending the chilling presence of the witch with a mystery that keeps audiences on edge. The narrative is a seamless blend of suspense, dread, and poignant storytelling, ensuring that every twist feels earned and every scare resonates.

One of the film's strongest assets is its cinematography. The visuals are breathtakingly eerie and Sowden's use of light and shadow are particularly effective - often framing the witch in ways that amplify her menace without overexposing her mystery. Each shot is meticulously composed, making even the most ordinary settings feel ominous.

The witch herself is a triumph of design and performance. She is a terrifying presence-both physically grotesque and psychologically unnerving. The scares she delivers are not just jump-scares but deeply haunting moments that burrow into your subconscious.

What truly elevates Book of the Witch is its story. It avoids the clichés often found in horror, instead weaving a tale that is as emotionally engaging as it is frightening. The characters feel real, their choices grounded, and their fears palpable. The script balances terror with human drama, ensuring that the horror never overshadows the characters' struggles and arcs.

To sum it up, Book of the Witch is a triumph for Joshua Sowden and a must-watch for horror fans. Its combination of outstanding cinematography, a terrifying villain, and an engaging story emakes it an unforgettable film. This is a movie that doesn't just scare you - it stays with you, haunting your thoughts long after the lights come back on.

I watched a very interesting film the other night called The Book of the Witch (2024) written and directed by Joshua Sowden through Self Esteem Productions. It's a very original movie with some fantastic acting.

What works: The acting was very good! @krishnasmitha and Danny Parker-Lopes worked very well together as co-workers in the movie. Smitha was very persuasive in her roll as a witch hunter. Another thing I really liked about the movie was that it took your stereotypical witch-pointy hat and all-and made it into something terrifying and believable. You initially look at @onlyalicat in her role as the witch and initially think it's cheesy but she pulls it off in a really terrifying way. The acting is what made this movie also effective.

What doesn't work: I felt like the movie stalled a little right before its cool climactic ending. I wish the movie had gone a more into the witch's origins (the mythology behind the story was very cool) but maybe a more about what drove Smitha's character. Those ideas were explained effectively enough but I think it was a little more room to expand. Overall though, those are small issues I have but they don't hurt my overall positive review.

The Book of the Witch is a great movie for anyone who loves movies about witches! The acting is quality, the "showing, not telling" approach was very good, and the witch herself was very terrifying!