Folk Horror does not withstanding Witchcraft. Witches have all been done, ranging from the ever-popular Teen Witch, sorority coven, and exploitation to historical lookbacks like the simply titled The Witch by Robert Eggars. Seldom will a picture that portrays witchcraft with technical advisors being actual covens and occult prop consultants produce an “authentic’ experience.
Writer, Director, and star Cradeaux Alexander’s Inherit the Witch attempts to use these props and artifacts from real occult practitioners and weave a story of family evil and regeneration. Add to this the use of effective real settings with a history of witches in the area, which is the ingredient for a gritty tale of evil incantations.
“Horrific truths are slowly uncovered about the family’s occult pact with an ancient evil…”
In 1984, a family threw a birthday party for twins Cory and Jessie with a very annoying song to start the film. Thirty years later, what’s left of the family reunites for the father’s funeral at two isolated houses in the New Forest, England. Horrific truths are slowly uncovered about the family’s occult pact with an ancient evil that has secretly been at the core of their wealth and power. This, all being said, cannot disguise the fact that the story itself is simply a case of family bickering, recriminations, and relationships severed. In short, it is a domestic ‘kitchen sink drama’ that fails to use the wonderful occult accouterments and sets provided.
Rest assured, there are isolated moments of screen presence and a few moments approaching chilling, such as the discovery of mutilated bodies in coven locations. Dialogue tends to be about family squabbles and troubles, particularly between Cory (Cradeux Alexander) and his estranged sister Fiona (Heather Carins) over her moving out, leaving him to face the disapproving, cruel Father who has just passed away.
"…Horrific truths are slowly uncovered about the family’s occult pact with an ancient evil..."
