Corey Vikser
Executive Digital Editor
Released on Friday, September 16th, Blair Witch returns to the Maryville woods that terrifed audiences in 1999 with varying results.
Blair Witch is a mixed bag as for all its phenomenal scares, it lacks in other crucial areas. Director Adam Wingard delivers a terrifying third act and successfully expands the original’s mythology, but the film is hindered by a middling first half and lackluster characters.
Blair Witch’s official IMDB database page.
A sequel to the 1999 film The Blair Witch Project, Blair Witch follows James Donahue (James Allen McCune), the younger brother of the previous film’s protagonist. After a tape is found in the woods where his sister disappeared, he decides to go searching in the forest with his friends. His girlfriend accompanies them, making a documentary about the expedition. A pair of locals lead the pack, warning of the legend of the Blair witch.
The cast in Blair Witch is no more than cannon fodder. Other than James, the characters serve no purpose to the story other than outlets for suffering. Although unmemorable, the cast doesn’t drag down the film badly as Blair Witch is more focused on scares.
For the first two acts, Blair Witch mainly baits the audience before completely subverting their expectations. As the band of characters settle in the woods, fans of the original will recognize many familiar story beats. While it initially seems like a retread, Barrett & Wingard expand on the original’s mysteries with innovative twists.
Blair Witch’s official studio website for additional content.
The film takes a slogging pace initially. The second act contains excessive jump scares that seem to serve no purpose other than startling the auidence with loud noises. However, the constant fake outs prove effective build up as the filmmakers save the best for last.
Blair Witch contains one of the scariest third acts in recent memory. Horror fans will be thouroughly pleased as every time it seems the film is coming to a halt, the tension ramps up gradually higher. Wingard thrillingly directs intense chase scenes and a particular sequence set in a tunnel that is sure to terrify claustrophobes.
Overall, Blair Witch is an effective horror film that suffers from a number of problems but is elevated by its atmosphere and roller-coaster ride third act. Miles above recent found footage films, moviegoers looking for scares will get their money’s worth.
Blair Witch is rated R and playing in theatres nationwide.
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