1. Plot Summary
In the late 1960s, a young orphaned boy (called Hero Boy, played by Jahzir Bruno) goes to live with his grandmother (Agatha, played by Octavia Spencer) in rural Alabama.
One day, they learn that witches—who appear as glamorous women but secretly despise children—are real. To protect Hero Boy, Agatha takes him to a seaside resort hotel, which turns out to be hosting a global convention of witches led by the Grand High Witch (Anne Hathaway).
The Grand High Witch plans to distribute a potion, disguised in chocolate or candy, that will transform all children into mice. Charlie (the boy) and new friend Bruno are turned into mice themselves, and along with Daisy (a mouse with mysterious origins) and Agatha, they hatch a plan to thwart the witches, stop the potion, and try to reverse the transformations.
In the climactic scenes, the mice manage to get the witches to ingest their own potion, thus turning them into rodents, and Agatha and the mice seize control of the witches’ power.
2. Notable Elements
Strengths / what stands out:
- The encounter scene between Hero Boy and the Grand High Witch in the hotel ballroom is often cited as the film’s most effective, frightening moment. Hathaway delivers a chilling presence, and the visuals are striking.
- Hathaway’s performance is bold—she embraces the theatricality of the villain, with exaggerated expressions and a sinister aura.
- The film’s production design, sets, and costumes are visually rich, evoking a mid-20th century aesthetic with gothic flourishes. The hotel environment, the witches’ attire, and creature transformations are all ambitious.
- The decision to relocate the story to 1960s Alabama and depict the main characters as African American adds new racial and social context, giving the narrative an extra dimension—though critics debate how well this is handled.
Weaknesses / what doesn’t quite land:
- According to many critics, the back half of the film becomes thinner in plot and tension; the first major witch confrontation is powerful, but later scenes struggle to match it.
- The witch characters beyond the Grand High Witch are seen by some reviewers as underwritten—largely serving as background antagonists rather than distinct personalities.
- Some of the CGI effects and special transformations feel inconsistent or less convincing, which can undercut immersion.
- The tonal shifts—between horror, whimsy, and dark comedy—occasionally come across as uneven or jarring.
- The film drew controversy over a depiction of the Grand High Witch having three fingers, which was viewed by some disability advocates as insensitive.
3. Themes and Messages
- Childhood fear & loss of innocence: Much of the horror derives from corruption of something innocent (children, sweets) and the terror that something familiar (women, resorts) might harbor wickedness.
- Power, control, and transformation: The witches seek absolute control over children, transforming them into powerless creatures to dominate them. The motif of transformation (human ↔ mouse) runs deeply.
- Otherness, fear of the unknown & hidden identities: Witches in disguise, hidden agendas, and dual identities underscore that evil may be concealed.
- Family, protection, and belief : Agatha’s devotion to her grandson and her knowledge of witchcraft carry emotional weight. The bond between them is central.Advertisement
- Social dynamics & marginalization: The relocation to Alabama and the racial identity of the protagonists introduce themes of invisibility, how society overlooks certain lives, and who is considered “unseen.” Some critics argue that the film only scratches the surface of these possibilities.
Regarding holiday / sentimental resonance: The Witches is not a holiday film, but its themes of protecting loved ones, confronting hidden danger, and reclaiming power align in spirit with narratives about strength, courage, and defending innocence—values often evoked during festive or family times.
4. Personal Impressions
What I liked:
- The ballroom showdown is genuinely memorable—the tension, the reveal, and the atmosphere work superbly.
- Hathaway leans fully into her role, delivering a villain with flair. Even if some aspects feel overdone, she gives it energy.
- The design and mood are strong—when the film leans into gothic horror, it often looks and feels compelling.
- I appreciate the attempt to add social dimension (racial identity, placing the story in the U.S. South) rather than simply retelling the old version.
What I found less effective:
- After the strong opening scenes, the momentum dips. The middle-to-late portions don’t reach the same heights and feel more mechanical.
- Some supporting witches feel flat—they don’t contribute much individually, mostly serving the plot rather than having inner life.
- The effects, especially in more fantastical moments (transformation, floating, creature design), sometimes appear uneven or distractingly artificial.
- The tonal balance is uneven: moments of whimsy or comedic relief sometimes undercut the horror rather than complement it.
5. Audience Recommendations
You might especially enjoy The Witches (2020) if you:
- Are a fan of dark fantasy, whimsical horror, or Roald Dahl’s works.
- Appreciate films with strong art direction and ambitious visuals, even if some effects falter.
- Like seeing classic stories reimagined with fresh perspectives (racial, temporal, regional shifts).
- Don’t mind a narrative that is partially familiar and partially reinvented.
You might be less enthused if you:
- Prefer tight, horror films with consistent tone and minimal CGI distractions.
- Want each character to be deeply developed and emotionally distinct.
- Are sensitive to inconsistent pacing or weaker second halves of stories.
6. Conclusion & Rating
The Witches (2020) is a bold, visually ambitious reimagining that achieves memorable moments but doesn’t always sustain them. Its centerpiece scenes and Hathaway’s performance make it worth watching, though some flaws—effect inconsistencies, plotting thinness, uneven tone—limit its impact.
Final Recommendation: A worthwhile watch for fans of Dahl, dark fantasy, or visually stylized horror. Go in with tempered expectations but enjoy the stronger set pieces.
⭐ Rating: 3.0 / 5
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