Film OverviewThe Witching Hour, released in 1985, is an articulate, and somewhat esoteric, horror film that fits together the realms of thriller, mystery, and supernatural phenomena. Directed by Henry Kesher, the film largely explores the eerie effects of witchcraft, including a series of unforeseeable turns that keep the suspense alive up until its climax.
Plot Summary The story begins in a small, tranquil New England town where a mystical female called Dorothy Osborne relocates, quickly getting the residents' attention. Dorothy is a solitary lady who avoids getting involved in town activities, spawning reports about her being a witch. When seemingly mysterious things begin occurring in the town, the suspicion around Dorothy increases even more.
The protagonist, a young journalist called Laura, decides to check out these strange events. Laura, a non-believer in the supernatural, shakes off the town's superstitions against Dorothy and begins spending time with her, slowly discovering elements from Dorothy's dubious past.
Secret StorylinesThe movie primarily concentrates on Laura's investigation and her interactions with Dorothy. Laura finds out about Dorothy's family's history, polluted with tales of witchcraft and supernatural activities. As the 2 of them bond, Laura begins experiencing paranormal events - sightings of apparitions, frequent nightmares, and strange voices. Soon, the whole town is swallowed up in unexplained events - animals begin acting erratically, weird symbols appear throughout town, and some individuals even claim of seeing ghosts.
While trying to stay practical in these inexplicable scenarios, Laura also finds herself helplessly drawn to a handsome but mysterious guy named Isak, who has his own secrets linked to the supernatural past of the town.
ClimaxIn the climax of the film, Laura discovers that Isak is a descendent of one of the town's creator-- a man notorious for his brutal persecution and burning of witches. She also discovers that Dorothy is the last living descendent of the witches who were wrongfully persecuted, staying in concealing for centuries, carrying the weight of her ancestors' cursed history.
In a dramatic face-off, it is exposed that Dorothy had actually managed these occasions from the start, aiming to retaliate on Isak's family tree for the atrocities dedicated versus her forefathers. Dorothy prepares to provide Isak as a sacrifice throughout the 'witching hour,' amplifying her powers.
ConclusionLaura, in addition to a few patriots, handles to disrupt the routine, conserving Isak and bringing peace to the town. The audience is left pondering the fuzzy line in between belief and uncertainty, the past and today, and vengeance and justice.
The movie concludes with Dorothy disappearing into the night, meaning a possibility of a sequel. This open-ended conclusion left audiences hypothesizing while working as a declaration that in some cases, irrespective of belief in the supernatural, certain powers are beyond human control.
Overall ReviewThe Witching Hour utilized a climatic, intricate story to chronicle tales of witchcraft and female empowerment. Its plot utilized components of thriller, mystery, and scary to challenge audiences' perspectives on justice and previous wrongs. The film is a fitting 80s horror tale, delivering compelling efficiencies, striking visual effects, and an unique take on the supernatural genre.
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