#SXSW: “WITCH HUNT”

By Amanda Gilmore

Set in present-day America where witches are real and witchcraft is illegal, Claire (Gideon Adlon) and her family help two young witches avoid law enforcement and cross the border for asylum in Mexico. Writer-Director Elle Callahan has created a fun witch tale with a strong cast of young up-and-coming talent. 

Films about witches have been done time and time again. However, Callahan has given it a fresh take by setting them in the present day. She heightens the stakes for her witch characters by making witchcraft illegal. Therefore, causing the witches to seek refuge, which adds a survival element to her story.

Callahan has also interwoven a teen coming-of-age story into the character of Claire. We watch her journey into self-discovery through her blossoming friendship with Fiona (Abigail Cowen), the older sister witch. It’s through this that we see Claire realize her true herself and learn about her heritage.

Overall, Witch Hunt is an inventive take on witches and Callahan balances the darker aspects of her script with fun moments filled with magic.

Witch Hunt screens at SXSW: Wednesday, March 17 at 9PM ET.