Two Witches is a gritty, realistic take on a beloved Halloween subject. Broken up into three parts (The Boogeywoman, Masha, and Epilogue), this witch horror pushes the envelope to some extreme witchy behaviour. As cited in the film, witches eat babies and worship the devil. They do both things in Two Witches and much, much more.
This film delivers all the classic horror film tropes that scary movie lovers crave – jump scares, shocking visuals, the girl that no-one believes, the classic medicine-cabinet mirror reveal, and of course, conjuring evil with a Ouija board. The tropes of horror are reinvigorated and at times poked fun at in Two Witches. This is horror that has evolved.
It may be completely apparent by now that Two Witches is not your cute little hocus pocus Disney movie with a song and dance number. It is the essence of modern evil. These witches don’t mess around. They get right to business. And this film has the right balance of terror and humour.
The framing of each creepy moment heightens the tone in each scene. The cinematography is sophisticated, coming from a place of knowledge and understanding of the subject. The creator, Pierre Tsigaridis, directed, co-wrote, edited, and produced this project. It is a solid vision, with some outright nasty looking imagery.
The two sick and twisted witches are played by a couple of impressive actors (among a great cast). The Boogeywoman, played by Marina Parodi, and Masha, played by Rebekah Kennedy, give two very different interpretations of witches in a modern world. They are both frightening in their own way. It is genuinely captivating even though disturbing to watch what they get up to. These characters manipulate and terrorise their victims to stay loyal to the coven.
Two witches, three witches, more? Fingers crossed there are plans for a second film. Director Pierre Tsigaridis has reinvigorated the witch on screen. If the sequel is anything like this one, audiences will be in for a (trick and) treat.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Two Witches screens as part of A Night of Horror International Film Festival at Dendy Newtown on Saturday October 22 at 9.30pm. This screening is an opportunity to dress up in Halloween garb, as there will be prizes for most spookily-dressed. A perfect way to celebrate All Hallows Eve this year.
