Virginia (Danika Golombek) writes while being visited by a mysterious female figure (Nathalie Söderqvist). (Photo credit: Storyboard Media)
Directed by:
Mark Wilson
Written by:
Chris Retts
Starring:
Danika Golombek, Grayson Eddey, Marcus DeAnda, Zachary Cowan, Nathalie Söderqvist, Greg Lutz
Synopsis (IMDb):
A brother and sister are terrorized by what seems to be their late-author mother’s most sinister literary creation – The Calling Witch.
Monique’s review:
The Calling Witch adds to my growing repertoire of watching scary movies. And as a scary movie, The Calling Witch is, thankfully, at my speed of spookiness. It’s atmospheric and truly belongs on a fall-themed suspense film watchlist.
Seemingly set in the ’80s, judging by the costuming and technology, The Calling Witch follows Virginia (Golombek), a young woman who serves as a surrogate mother to her young brother Edward (Eddey), while their father, Warren (DeAnda), works as an oil driller. Their family is cast into shadow by the tragedy of losing their matriarch, a children’s writer whose bestselling book, The Calling Witch, tells the story of a young boy whose mother is the monster that scares the children of their town.
The book serves as the backdrop for the entire story, as the themes of motherhood and loss echo through Virginia and Edward’s lives. They are haunted by a mysterious woman who wants a child so badly that she’s willing to kill for it.
Virginia (Danika Golombek) and Edward (Grayson Eddey) are trapped as The Calling Witch roams the forest outside. (Photo credit: Storyboard Media)
If you’re a hardcore blood-and-guts type of horror fan, you might find The Calling Witch too slow-paced for you, and frankly, this film isn’t that type of slasher affair anyway. The Calling Witch is for audience members who want slow-burning thrills and chills that ramp up as the danger draws closer to the characters. There are twists in the film, too, which raise the storytelling stakes even further.
Golombek and Eddey do a great job at selling the emotional heft of the story as well, with Golombek embodying the complex role an older sister has, especially when they are 10 or more years older than their sibling. Eddey captures Edward’s sheltered upbringing and unwavering morality with wonderful precision.
Note for sensitive viewers: The first minutes include a suicide scene, which may be triggering.
Overall, The Calling Witch offers spooky drama for your next movie night.
The Calling Witch is streaming on Amazon Prime and Fandango At Home.
