Witch Hunt

In a modern America where witches are real and witchcraft is illegal, a sheltered teenager must face her own demons and prejudices as she helps two young witches avoid law enforcement and cross the southern border to asylum in Mexico.Witch Hunt 2021.

An enticing premise that seems to succumb under the weight of its own ambition. There’s plenty of implied real life comparisons that never quite land properly nor a story that ever feels fully laid out beyond trying to establish the world it exists in. Witch Hunt, more than anything and at its best moments, feels like a prequel to what could be the return of YA film sagas. If only that were the case! I think with additional room to build the world and characters more fully, Witch Hunt could have felt truly finished.

A film not just of this moment (something that it very much is) but one for every vital moment that needs it. Folding in commentary on immigration, queer identity, and the perpetual need for solidarity among those oppressed by unchecked power, Elle Callahan’s film takes big swings and, even when it falters, it ultimately radiates with its impactful fire. At times this reminded me of HBO’s superlative ‘Watchmen’ with its modern treatment of familiar storytelling. I really hope this one is supported because there is an audience for it and I want a sequel, damnit! Elle Callahan, you have my attention.

P.S. The amount of things in this movie that would make a conservative’s blood boil…:’). Bless.
P.P.S. The fact that I used the phrase ‘witch’s brew’ in my review for Callahan’s underappreciated debut feature…MY MIND.
P.P.P.S. Elizabeth Mitchell will always have a place in my heart after ‘LOST’ and seeing her here (she’s aging like fine wine btw) made it that much more special.
P.P.P.P.S. Gideon Adlon (who cool people will recognize from Netflix’s unjustly cancelled ‘The Society’) continues her promising career here and I’m looking forward to what she does next.
P.P.P.P.P.S. Abigail Cowen is officially a professional witch now and the fact that her character is named Fiona is clearly a reference to THE Supreme witch queen.