The Witch: Blood Moon, directed by Robert Eggers, returns to the ominous world of The Witch (2015), set in the stark and unforgiving New England wilderness during the 17th century. This sequel, though drawing on the same historical backdrop and themes of religious paranoia and witchcraft, shifts the narrative focus to an entirely new group of characters while tying into the disturbing events of the original.
The film opens in the same eerie landscape, decades after Thomasin's terrifying choice to embrace witchcraft and become the "Queen of the Coven." The land, however, has changed: new settlers have arrived, and the fear of witches has only grown. The "Blood Moon" prophecy, an ancient warning of a powerful witch's return, is now known throughout the land, and an insidious terror spreads through the Puritan community as whispers of a new witch coven begin to circulate.
The central story follows Eliza (played by Anya Taylor-Joy, returning in a different role), a young woman who has fled a life of abuse in a distant town. She arrives in a village isolated by deep woods, hoping for a fresh start. However, she soon realizes that the land is cursed, its people tortured by strange disappearances and fevered visions during the nights of the "Blood Moon," a rare celestial event believed to amplify witchcraft.
Eliza forms an uneasy bond with Margaret, a mysterious and seemingly mute woman who lives on the outskirts of the village. As the Blood Moon approaches, Eliza’s curiosity about the strange happenings intensifies. Her investigation into local folklore and ancient witchcraft rituals leads her to uncover unsettling truths about the land, the settlers, and the sinister presence lurking in the forest.
As the Blood Moon rises, Eliza begins to experience haunting visions of the long-dead Thomasin, who warns her of the price of making deals with the devil. With the villagers falling into madness, possessed by the very demons they once feared, Eliza is forced to confront the darkness within herself, torn between her desire for revenge and the terrifying cost of embracing her power.
The Witch: Blood Moon builds upon the psychological horror and thematic depth of the first film. Robert Eggers once again immerses the audience in the harsh realities of Puritanical New England, exploring the eternal struggle between faith and fear, good and evil. The film’s focus shifts from individual moral corruption (as seen with Thomasin) to the collective descent into hysteria that often accompanies the unknown.
The Blood Moon, both a literal and metaphorical event, symbolizes the culmination of fear, power, and superstition. As the celestial event approaches, the village’s fear of witches becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, with each villager’s paranoia intensifying their own fall from grace. Eggers crafts a slow-burning horror that mirrors the pace and tone of the original, emphasizing dread and isolation over jump scares.
The central character, Eliza, embodies the themes of rebirth and temptation, torn between the possibility of power and the deep cost of succumbing to evil. As with the first film, the ambiguity of whether the witchcraft around her is real or a manifestation of guilt, fear, and repression plays a central role in the narrative. The Blood Moon itself serves as a haunting reminder of the inevitable fate that awaits those who allow fear to consume them.
True to Eggers' style, The Witch: Blood Moon is drenched in atmospheric dread, utilizing minimal lighting and natural landscapes to create a sense of claustrophobic terror. The film’s use of shadows, fog, and the haunting glow of the Blood Moon creates a chilling ambiance, making the wilderness feel like a character in itself—alive with secrets, curses, and malevolent forces.
The costume and set design also play a critical role in maintaining the period authenticity of the original, enhancing the viewer’s immersion into this terrifying and unforgiving world.
While the events of The Witch: Blood Moon unfold with its own self-contained plot, the eerie conclusion could leave the door open for further exploration into the witch's curse and the legacy of Thomasin. If the film ends on a note of ambiguity—perhaps with Eliza making a fateful choice to embrace her power—the potential for another installment could explore how the curse of witchcraft spreads, continuing the cycle of terror throughout the generations.
The Witch: Blood Moon will likely captivate both fans of the original and newcomers with its atmospheric dread, complex characters, and the return of Robert Eggers' masterful tension-building. The film promises a return to the world of witchcraft, sin, and retribution, continuing to explore the dark and timeless themes of human nature—just as the Blood Moon casts its shadow over all.
