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SYNOPSIS: In 1575 England, Twyla, a resident of a small village, encounters a mysterious stranger who urges her to stay away from the town temporarily. The stranger warns her that she could get caught up in a complex case involving a double murder and a subsequent witch trial. Twyla's husband, William, is chosen as a juror in the trial. During the court proceedings, Twyla is shockingly arrested by the sheriff at their home. To clear her name and save her from the false accusation of witchcraft, which could lead to her execution if found guilty, William joins forces with the stranger. Their mission is to uncover the true identity of the real witch responsible for the crimes. Time is of the essence as William races against the clock to exonerate his wife and bring justice to the situation.

REVIEW: "WITCH" by Craig Hinde and Marc Zammit, despite its intriguing premise, fails to deliver a captivating viewing experience due to its disjointed narrative, overwhelming sound design, and vibrant production designs.

The story follows the typical tropes, featuring magic, demons, and Christians. The writers' attempt to incorporate a time loop element that feels disjointed and doesn't blend well with the rest of the narrative. Many essential elements are assumed without providing any explanation or backstory. Essentially, the story revolves around a simplistic narrative of love and magic set against a backdrop of tyrannical oppression. While the characters are likable, they lack depth and engagement. Predictable dialogue further hampers the storytelling. To further complicate matters, a sequence during the end credits suggests a potential continuation of the tale, adding an unnecessary layer of confusion.

The filmmakers had a great location that appeared a bit too pristine for its setting in the late 1500s. The costumes and makeup also seemed a bit too clean and new, lacking the worn and dirty look that would have been more authentic. Even the character of Johanna, who was bloodied, didn't quite feel convincing.

One particularly frustrating scene involved William, a blacksmith, working on horseshoes. Instead of the typical depiction of blacksmiths working over a fire and pounding hot, glowing metal, there was no fire or smoke, and the metal he was working on was cold. This scene lacked authenticity.

For the outdoor night sequences, the film used blue light, which this reviewer did not favor, considering how many new cameras allow directors to shoot in very low light.

Finally, the demon design was uninspired, a formless tall figure that lacked presence and menace.

While serviceable, Imran Ahmad’s score occasionally became excessively loud, often failing to enhance the visuals or narrative in any meaningful way.

The cast's performance was praiseworthy, effectively utilizing the available material. Ryan Spong and Sarah Alexandra Marks excelled in portraying a couple with a deep connection. However, certain dialogues lacked originality and were predictable. Fabrizio Santino and Daniel Jordan's portrayal of menacing and passionate villains was noteworthy.

The movie WITCH has some redeemable qualities, but overall it feels disjointed and lacks cohesion. The plot is convoluted, and the production design, while visually appealing, seems too polished and modern for the time period in which the story is set. It appears that the film's co-directors, Craig Hinde and Marc Zammit, took on too many responsibilities, and lacked creative input from external sources. Additionally, the film's dark elements are undermined by an overly upbeat tone and grounding details. Again, the ending scene, in particular, is confusing and unsatisfying.

CAST: Sarah Alexandra Marks, Russel Shaw, Ryan Spong, Fabrizio Santino, Daniel Jordan, Mims Burton, Anto Sharp, Danny Howard, Nell Bailey, Nick Tuck, Jame Hamlet and Ella Starbuck. CREW: Director/Producer - Marc Zammit; Director/Screenplay/Producer/Editor - Craig Hinde; Producer - Tony Zammit; Cinematographer - Richard Oakes; Score - Imran Ahmad; Costume Designer - Jenny Anderton; Head Makeup Artist - Kate Griffiths; Visual Effects - Reece Sanders. OFFICIAL: N.A. FACEBOOK: N.A. TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WitchMovie1 RELEASE DATE: Digital and VOD April 30th, 2024 TRAILER -

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)