User Reviews

I love seeing filmmakers faced with extremely low budgets figure out stories that can work within their limited resources, and Witch-Hunt is just such a movie. Wisely staying away from excessive, and expensive gore (if you want it to look right) and focusing on character and a twisting story in a confined setting, the film tries hard to succeed with severe restrictions. Although flawed with uneven performances and a script that suffers from not being developed enough considering the depth of the issues it addresses within the thriller framework - still, the filmmakers have attempted something that has more going for it than the average micro-budget zombie or slasher-fest. The story is clever and involving enough to have piqued my interest and to have kept me watching. It had me curious as to what would happen next and how it would all tie together and it's unfortunate that it doesn't necessarily accomplish that thoroughly or neatly (and the intercut sections with two ladies seemingly in possession of all the info we are waiting for are the most clumsy and clunky scenes in the film - although to be fair they are tied into the denouement, but that doesn't make them work any better). The actresses can go from believable to overacting within a scene which could be the result of less experienced actors only allowed a limited number of takes, or the less trained eye of the director to recognize when a performance is off. And it's a shame their characters aren't always believable in their interactions with each other - especially when things start getting strange - but that's a fault of the screenplay, not the performance. All-in-all a commendable but far-less-than perfect offering. It would be worth it if - as another reviewer suggested - the film was remade with a properly fleshed out and realized script and stronger talent behind the camera. But even as it is, it possesses a certain charm and the willingness to try and make it more than just "a little thriller" deserves credit in my book.

USA Film Festival 2017

Greetings again from the darkness. There may not be a mass-market audience for ultra low-budget supernatural horror-thriller-comedies, but that doesn't stop writer/director Philip Schaeffer and his cast of seven actresses from delivering a rollicking good time.

Best viewed late at night and preferably with a group of friends smart enough to enjoy a bit of satire, and not so pseudo-intellectual as to be unable to cut loose and possibly even create a new drinking game (not that such uncultured and unruly behavior would be encouraged). In fact, just keeping up with one of the character's propensity to shift from red to white wine and back again requires somewhat of a clear head and attention span.

Five ladies gather in clock-filled home to play a board game that could be named "Who is the Witch?" The clocks don't really matter, but do make for interesting set pieces and might also play into someone's unconventional drinking game. The birthday girl (Robyn Purcay) who receives the game as a gift is very excited to play, while the emotions of the others range from 'OK, I'll play along' to utter disdain (from the striking Abby Eiland).

The movie is divided into the different rounds played during the game … with each of the five participants getting special attention during a particular round. Additionally, the story has an external structure thanks to a late night strategy session at a book publishing firm. Of course, the story doesn't really matter. What matters is the periodic creepiness and abundance of humor stemming from the conversations of wine-guzzling, long-time friends who share a clouded and traumatic childhood memory.

Other than the aforementioned Ms. Eiland and Ms. Purcay, the other actresses involved here are Melina Chadbourne, Erin Curtis, Lillian Olive, Suzanne Blunk and Trisha Miller. Each brings their own style to the fun, and special mention goes to cinematographer Olivia Kuan, whose camera work provides the necessary claustrophobia and unease necessary to keep viewers guessing.

Going into this, watching the trailer, reading the synopsis, I thought it was such a cool premise. Interesting way to throw a lot of building, creepy tone and almost like a "who dunnit" kind of story, but of the supernatural kind. However, the acting was a little painful to watch and ultimately, the backstories/additions to the plot lines were cut so short, it all never really came together and the whole thing repeatedly felt unfinished. I caught myself saying "what, what?" more than a few times. I definitely enjoyed myself, but oh, man, there was so much missed opportunity here. I rarely say this, but I would love if a more experienced filmmaker took this, cleaned up the script and remade it. The outcome of who's the witch is also muddy and if they'd just taken another 5 minutes to tidy it up, it would have been much more satisfying. Worth a watch, but don't get your hopes up too far.

Witch-Hunt was recommended by a friend of mine who told me to be patient with it. With this as a preface, I found the film on Amazon Prime and, sure enough, my feet were shuffling a bit throughout the first 30 minutes, but after that initial climb of the mountain, things got better and Witch-Hunt turned out to be a surprisingly fun night at the movies.

The film features a group of elementary school girlfriends who show up at the home of a mysterious woman to celebrate one of their birthdays. They decide to play a game called Witch-Hunt that is supposed to turn them against one another and, soon enough, they start seeing and hearing things and stop being able to trust one another. Is the game really cursed? Is one of them an actual real witch? You'll have to see the film to find out.

Sprinkled with a generous helping of dark comedy and fun banter, Witch-Hunt probably won't please the gorehounds hoping for decapitations, but more esoteric horror fans will probably enjoy it a lot. There are a few tiny pacing issues, but they don't detract too much from the experience.

Not my type of movie. Acting was good, but, I was thinking horror/thriller. Not watching a group of women--being women.

Chick who did people pleasing Suzanne over acted.

If your judgment is based off the movies budget, maybe reevaluate the way you view films. It's a great "whodunnit" movie & enjoyable to watch. But what I really enjoyed - this is a true story, their youth at least. The film is about a specific case surrounding the satanic panic. They did a nice job in exploring the effects of that abuse.

Aight... this movie looks like it was done on a budget of like a couple thousand bucks... with that said, I was pleasantly surprised and actually enjoyed it...

So...

I actually thought the camera work, acting, audio, and script were all actually above par and borderline quite good in some scenes... And while the movie starts off a little slow, the level of suspense picks up pretty quickly... not to mention the fact that the movie hints at all sorts of things, but doesn't give too much away... so again, the suspense / tension is certainly on point by the end of the flick...

I liked the way they hashed out backgrounds for all the characters... and broke the movie up into segments... not unlike a Tarantino film... ( like act 1 this girl / act 2 this girl / etc... )... Beyond that, I actually felt like most of the characters were pretty believable... 5 girls, having a little party, guzzling some wine... The conversations actually seemed very plausible...

The low budget does show in a couple areas... First off, you'll notice that the whole movie is basically shot in somebodies living room... Second, there are practically no special effects... so don't expect any kind of gore fest or flying witches or anything... But I don't think the movie suffered from being mostly dialogue / acting...

They still managed to get in some moderate scares... and a couple "oh, wow, I wasn't expecting that" from me...

So... is it really 7 star? probably not... But I'm giving a bonus point or two for taking a pretty simplistic premise and low budget and being able to ramp up the suspense / tension to better than a lot of other flicks out there...

All in all, this is what I would consider a really well done low budget thriller / borderline horror...

You have to be old enough to remember the McMartin pre-school trial and the ridiculous hysteria of the 1980 satanic cult frenzy to appreciate this movie. If you do, and you like witchy horror, it really works.

Clever, spare and modern horror movie with a great all-female cast. I recommend for Halloween, paired with Sisters or some other classic.

It is tough to find one with a script this good.

Okay, so it seems people either love or hate this movie. I will try to offer a balanced review (I'm not affiliated with the movie or anyone in the movie, just Joe Average horror movie buff). First off, this movie plays like a Lifetime movie, but edgier. That's not a slam; it just has that type of feel. The characters are a little under-developed early on, but not unlikeable. I thought the vibe of the characters as lifelong friends felt very authentic. The movie unfolds slowly, but the pace is steady and the tension is palpable. Things start off normal enough as the game begins, but gradually evolve from odd to weird to bizarre. The ending is somewhat open to interpretation, but satisfying. I thoroughly enjoyed the arc of this movie and would recommend it to anyone who appreciates "quiet" horror movies (along the lines of The Innkeepers, or House of the Devil).

It's super watchable and entertaining. Great plot and acting. Watch it!!