The Witch Files (2018) User Reviews

Not really a horror movie, more mystery/fantasy

[Zucroh · 6/10 · 9 October 2018]

This is a pretty decent movie.

It's all shot(98%) with a handheld camera by the girls(mostly claire) and is not bad at all compared to a lot of horror movies that try this style.

The story is not original but it works,same with the acting,I didn't feel any of them were bad.

The things they did look pretty much on point with what a group of teenage girls would do in those situations.

Overall the movie is not bad and if you like fantasy/mystery movies I would say give it a chance.

Not My Demographic

[larrys3 · 4/10 · 11 October 2018]

Being of an older generation, I realize that this movie was not geared for my demographic and may appeal more to younger viewers. But since there are not a lot of reviews as I write this, I'll try and give my opinion.

Five teens from a high school in Maine band together and form a coven on a site where centuries before suspected witches may have been pursued and murdered by the townspeople. By using chants and the power of group thoughts, they begin to realize these thoughts can be transferred into actually making their wishes become reality.

At first, it's a rather harmless use of their new powers, but as things progress they begin to realize there will be a steep price to pay for their actions. Plus, it will eventually become clear that there's a more sinister force at work among the five teens, one that will have to be fought for their own survival.

I thought, at times, this fantasy horror film had some surprising moments where it didn't take a path you would expect. Also, the dialogue and characters were more interesting than I anticipated.

However, overall, I just found this B-movie to be rather hokey and, as mentioned earlier, may appeal more to a much younger crowd. Thus, not awful, but not my cup of tea.

Pretty decent

[Jumanaahh · 6/10 · 17 October 2018]

Just so you know, this had nothing to do with horror nor thriller. It actually wasn't bad. It's one of those feel good movies that you don't stress out while watching with happy endings which i liked because movies these days lack that kind of vibe and bad endings are a must these days for some reason. I would say it would be kind of perfect for a younger audience or young teens. As a girl in her early 20s it just wasn't for me lol

If Disney (the channel) made a serious version of The Craft

[brentage5000 · 5/10 · 2 March 2019]

First off, this is not a horror movie, despite what the description says. There are some elements to it that briefly flirt with that description, but they lie. At best, it's suspense bordering on thriller. That said, it's remarkably well done. The acting is fairly decent, and the script manages to keep things tight and light without veering too far into absurdity. When things turn dark, it's done with a believable hand, although the twist is an extremely predictable one. Additionally, there was a distinctly positive tone (for the most.part) and it did something few movies of this type do by showing real world consequences (as an example, when one of the girls uses magic to get a new car, it eventually gets pointed out that there's no payment made for the car, making it essentially a stolen vehicle rather than something created) and offering an explanation for the haggard appearance of witches. All in all, it's a surprisingly enjoyable movie and would be a good pick for young kids that are looking for something along the lines of The Craft but are too young for something that intense (ages 8 to 14, say)

Poor man's The Craft

[averagebear · 3/10 · 13 June 2019]

Don't waste your time if your looking for a good horror, this isn't it. It tries to be The Craft but isn't.

No. More. Witch. Puns.

[mikedegroot · 3/10 · 18 October 2018]

Okay, that was pretty bad. But all the horrible witch puns at the end drove me crazy. The movie itself is a complete mess. I'm not a fan of the found footage genre and this film is why. The constant need for a reason why they're recording really takes you out of the experience. Few movies have done it right and many more movies need to stop trying. It's a cheap framing device for poor cinematography.

The acting, script, effects, and direction is all very subpar. The only thing more absurd was the story. Not even halfway through and I had figured out almost everything. Can't even recommend this one for a free watch on a slow night.

Witch movie

[the_doofy · 7/10 · 17 February 2019]

After seeing that it starred a batch of teen age girls, I was expecting all the hollywood formula stuff. Lots of sexual content, teen girls who hated their families or who's families hate them, evil male caucasian antagonists, drug content, foul language -- the little hope kernel inside me was hoping for a movie that was focused on witchy stuff, so I started watching it, and I kept on watching it --My wife and I enjoyed it --I was a little disappointed in the ending, the last 15 minutes was pretty predictable, however I would probably rewatch it in the distant future, it is about witchy stuff after all, I dig these kind of movies.

Ummmmm....

[jashauncurry · 3/10 · 9 February 2019]

It was honestly quite alright at first... i was somewhat intriged only cause i love witch stuff but once the cop showed up it just got stupid and low budget unnecessary effects were thrown all around the place along with bad line delivery. So yea this movie is terrible.

A good feeling movie...

[bairjohn · 7/10 · 10 October 2018]

The best part is the length, it was just right. Even though cheezy, the writing was fluid, and in a small way dynamic. The directing was perfect...yet the video could be distracting, all and all with the small graphic parts not bad.

This is a feel good film good taking out evil, but it had a comic sense also.

Remake of the Craft

[royalattitude-01739 · 2/10 · 9 February 2019]

A bad mix of Blair Witch Project and a remake of The Craft- down to the mix of girls. Can't even finish watching it because it's like a middle school effort to remake a near cult film. At least admit the effort was less than minimal.

Oddly entertaining

[john-gagon · 8/10 · 10 February 2019]

There isn't a tear-jerk moment usually found in drama these days but there is an elaboration here on a real historical figure (sets of figures really) plot from Salem if you're in the know. That would be loosely based on Mary Perkins Bradbury. The film follows found footage format like my least favorite films (end even references Blair Witch at one point), flacid or over-dramatized teen performances reminiscent of an all girl cast Twilight and smoke brush blurry CGI that reminds one of hobby photoshopping with a heavy blur and dodge to it. Yet, I watched it all and rewound it. Despite the very saturated witch tropes, I found myself identifying with the setting and character history which had some remarkable accuracy and at least started to give some insightful dialogue around hereditary Wicca. You see, as one of many direct descendants of Perkins but as one of few aware of it, I was reliving the biographical sketch of Mary who escaped from jail to Maine and for some reason went back at a very old age. Her story is remarkable as she was quite old when she did and seems to have charmed either by magic or virtue an entire town which is how I connected the reference here. I am glad of the moral of the plot and though I cringe of Mary being portrayed villainously, she was portrayer aptly so congruent to her famous Blue Boar escape.

In short, this has some versimilitude I wish other films with better budget and production values had, but it's not bad watching in its own "class". I credit the thoughtful writing here most. This could go almost Sharknado cult classic at some point hence my rating.

They should turn this movie into a book

[catwaite · 6/10 · 17 February 2019]

More specifically, this movie should be a one off book for teenage girls. The plot reads exactly like what you would expect from one. Acting could be better, could be worse. You'll figure this movie out really quick though. So as a horror movie, I give this a 2, but if I think about it as a coming of age, kickass, girl flick? Yeah Ill give it a six.

a real bad copy of "The craft"

[lealallendes · 2/10 · 21 October 2018]

The self tapin movie doesn't work for this, the story is kind of slow and ridiculous sometimes,the wat they create their spells or powers are silly... not a good movie if you love "witches" themes

How did they get Paget Brewster?

[anburton-00763 · 4/10 · 5 March 2019]

A couple things about this movie.

1) It's one of those movies where it's actually a very compelling idea, and could have been really good if it was done correctly. This movie... wasn't. Halfway decent writing but acting worse than my middle school acting class. That being said....

2) I love Paget Brewster in Criminal Minds. So... how did she end up on this project? Her involvement plus the compelling idea of the script is what got me to watch, and I was pretty let down.

Most def NOT The Craft!!!

[mamastroud33 · 2/10 · 26 February 2019]

Probably the worst acting I've ever seen. They tried to mimic The Craft, but had amateur actors. It was similar to watching middle school kids at their school play. Not a horror movie in the least bit. More like a train wreck you can't stop watching and then wished you did. Pass on this one unless you are a fan of boredom!!!

WHY WOULD SOMEONE LIKE THIS?!

[umunir-36959 · 1/10 · 3 November 2018]

This is the worst movie i've watched in my entire life. Absolutely makes no sense at all. I'm a huge fan of horror movies but how can they call this one a horror movie? I don't think anyone would be scared even a little bit by watching this. It was just a stupid fantasy movie which was not making any sense. Stupid storyline, script and acting. Please don't waste your money, data or time by watching this.

Not bad, but not worth a second watch.

[cb_whitewood · 6/10 · 15 September 2019]

The Witch Files from the get-go felt like a similar setup to The Craft, which I wasn't mad about. All of the characters felt believable in their goals and wants, yet still were rather trope-ish. There was still ample hinting at the villain, which made the second half of the movie feel very predictable. The final scene was also rather anticlimactic. I did enjoy the sporty girl though, and the found-film take didn't bother me very much. Felt like a PG horror/thriller movie.

Worst part: the chanting at the end. Overall, not a bad watch, but once is more than enough.

Legitimately Awful

[vampirelily-46635 · 1/10 · 7 February 2019]

It's as if someone filmed a high school play with a handheld camera. They were aiming for another 'The Craft' and missed completely. Poorly written, poorly acted, poorly executed. All hoke.

Documentary like kind of movies are outdated...

[andrehtarotreader · 2/10 · 6 May 2019]

The plot it's interesting, but seems too much of a low budget movie, with poor acting. also: that silly documentary style of movie. People wandering around with cameras and wobbly movements and effects that resemble security cameras footage make it so unsettling. The format isn't compelling anymore.

I love it

[andrewsuperemt · 10/10 · 7 February 2019]

This movie was great not to short not to long it reminds me one of those after school movies back in the day.

It's Disney channel right?

[jenniferlynn-49555 · 2/10 · 20 April 2019]

Here's the deal.... If this is a horror film meant to be scary or creepy, keeping you on the edge of your seat.... Then this movie fails, sucks! If this is one of those movies that show on the Disney channel, then this is a great little movie. Because I think this is meant to scare people older than 13, I give it a 2, only because I love witch movies... It should get a 1.

Witches in Maine

[creativedme · 5/10 · 25 May 2019]

I have had this on my watch list for a long time because I love witch stories. If it hadn't been set in my home state I would have turned it off within the first 15 minutes. But I was intrigued at how "Maine" the film could be. I recognized company names on trucks, small independent stores featured, and parts of beautiful southern Maine. So I thank the director for using Vacationland for the stories location. As for the films story, not bad, and was holding my interest up until the last 15 min. Why did the end have to be so damn predictable? It was like ideas and time ran out so the ending was pushed. Overall, it was a quirky mild horror that if you have an hour and a half to spare you should watch.

Not So Crafty

[morbidlove21 · 5/10 · 20 January 2020]

This is a pretty average movie. It starts off on an interesting note but it eventually becomes subpar and predictable. The final "boss" battle is anticlimactic and over before it really begins. From that point on the acting is pretty wooden.

Overall I enjoyed the movie enough to say it's worth the watch and average, but it's almost like they tried to make a slightly different, updated version of The Craft but failed to capture any of the charm or quality.

left wing propaganda

[akkadian01 · 3/10 · 10 October 2018]

Marginalised young women...haha..save yourself the time dont bother with this.

Son of a witch

[spacegirlsunday · 1/10 · 16 February 2019]

THAT WAS BAD!!!! Terrible. Awful. Embarrassing. Worst live action dragon Ball-z prom fight of all time.