The Book of the Witch

I applaud the producers for making a quality movie like this without all the money and resources of studios.

This is an interesting film with solid acting and cinematic flourishes. The film is limited by its few number of locations and actors, but at under 75 minutes in length, it is not too much of a handicap. Much of the film takes place on one floor of a deserted office building in LA. This is my only complaint. It does betray the budget of the film.

The characterization of the witch, living in modern times is excellent! Her California high desert setting is perfect for the witch to work.

The plot starts off well enough, however, the actual back and forth between the witch and the protagonist Victoria was a little hard to follow. I had to rewind several times to get the story right.

Otherwise, Bravo to the team that brought this minor horror gem to light!

The open scenes are fantastic beginning with the witch creating a new "friend". This is a movie set in modern day and the villain is a witch from the 1700's that moves with purpose mixed with some light comedy (not campy) (not corny) spread throughout. Great acting and cinematography. No hollywood budget but The Book of the Witch didnt need it. Great movie.

The acting was on point! The chemistry between the 2 leads was great. The witch was creepy asf and she also did an amazing job of humanizing something we usually deem evil. The visuals and score and audio were great as well.

The story was something any of us can get behind. A healthy fear of death, someone we care about deeply, a moral compass, a price we are willing to pay for something we THINK we really want. I think the majority of people have all of these traits and I think this movie does a great job of showcasing the eb and flow between all of them. The Book of the Witch is definitely one that shouldn't be slept on.

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.

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.