The Witches Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A kid turns into a mouse, and then uses his new tiny friend powers to fight Anne Hathaway’s stretchy-mouthed witch, because apparently, exterminating witches is easier when you’re also vermin.

🍿 The Witches: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Boy’s New Life

In 1968 Alabama, young Charlie is orphaned and moves in with his Grandma, Agatha. Agatha quickly notices Charlie’s loneliness and buys him a pet mouse named Daisy. Unbeknownst to Charlie, a witch is lurking in their neighborhood.

Encountering the Witches

One day, Charlie encounters a strange woman who tries to lure him with candy and a snake. Agatha warns Charlie about witches, explaining that they are real and hate children. Agatha even recounts a childhood friend who was transformed into a chicken by a witch. Afraid, Agatha and Charlie decide to stay at the Grand Imperial Island hotel, believing it to be safe from witches.

The Grand High Witch’s Plan

At the hotel, Charlie learns about how to identify a witch. He then stumbles upon a gathering of witches, led by the Grand High Witch. Hiding, he overhears their plan to turn all children into mice using a potion. He also meets Bruno, who is lured in by the Grand High Witch. The Grand High Witch can smell Charlie and forcibly transforms him into a mouse with the potion.

Turning the Tables

Charlie, Daisy, and Bruno, now all mice, flee to Agatha, revealing the witches’ sinister plan. They discover the Grand High Witch is staying below them. Together, they devise a plan to get the potion and use it against the witches. They succeed in adding the potion to the witches’ soup. All the witches drink the soup and begin turning into rats, except for the Grand High Witch.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Hero Boy (Jahzir Bruno): A young orphaned boy who, after encountering witches, bravely works with his grandmother to thwart their evil plans.
• Grandma (Octavia Spencer): The loving and resourceful grandmother who protects her grandson from witches and guides him in fighting them.
• Grand High Witch (Anne Hathaway): The glamorous but diabolical leader of the witches, plotting to turn all children into mice.
• Bruno (Codie-Lei Eastick): A gluttonous and initially naive boy who becomes an ally after being turned into a mouse by the Grand High Witch.
• Older Hero Mouse (Chris Rock): Older Hero Mouse tells a dark, humorous tale about witches and their nefarious plans.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Grand High Witch: “Vee must vait. Vee must be patient. Vee must lure zem in.” – The Grand High Witch outlines her plan to patiently lure children into her trap before turning them into mice.
• Grandma: “Witches is real. Always has been, always will be.” – Grandma explains the reality of witches to Hero Boy, setting the stage for their adventure.
• Grand High Witch: “I hate children!” – The Grand High Witch expresses her extreme hatred towards children during the witch convention.
• Hero Boy: “I may be a mouse, but I’m still me.” – Hero Boy states after he is turned into a mouse, showing that he is still determined.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $45,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $203,571
• Worldwide Gross: $29,303,571

💥 The Witches Reviews

Personal Review

I was so excited to see this movie because I loved the original as a kid. This remake just didn’t hit the same. While Anne Hathaway was trying, her portrayal felt cartoonish, and the CGI was way over the top. It lacked the genuine creepiness of the first movie, and honestly, I found myself missing Anjelica Huston’s performance a lot. Octavia Spencer was a highlight though and I enjoyed her Grandma character. I don’t know, maybe my nostalgia is blinding me, but I wouldn’t watch this one again. It made me want to watch the original instead!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Roald Dahl’s stories”
  • “Viewers who enjoy fantasy-adventure films with a touch of dark humor”
  • “Families looking for a movie to watch together, with caution for younger children”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Scary imagery”
  • “Transformations”
  • “Potentially frightening scenes for young children”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While the cast is game and the visuals are occasionally striking, The Witches’ reliance on CGI and a muddled tone ultimately fail to capture the magic of the source material or the 1990 adaptation. Some argue Anne Hathaway is miscast. Overall, the movie leaves a lot to be desired.
• Common Sense Media: “This updated adaptation is only moderately scary, focusing more on adventure and humor. While visually engaging, it lacks the truly dark and sinister edge of the original film. Some reviewers complain about the cgi and casting choices, Overall it offers a decent, family-friendly viewing experience.

Audience Reactions

Octavia Spencer’s performance as the grandmother was widely praised for its warmth and heart.: Viewers enjoyed Octavia’s performance and the overall storyline. Anne Hathaway received mixed reviews

Overall Consensus: The 2020 adaptation of ‘The Witches’ is a visually driven but ultimately flawed reimagining, with some strong performances but hampered by excessive CGI and a lack of genuine scares. It failed to live up to the original, and a lot of people were annoyed with the casting choices.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This adaptation sets the story in 1960s Alabama, a departure from the UK setting of the original novel and the 1990 film.”
• “Alfonso Cuarón and Guillermo del Toro served as producers on the film, bringing their experience in fantasy and dark storytelling to the project.”
• “The film uses extensive CGI to create the witches’ exaggerated features and transformations, a stylistic choice that differs significantly from the practical effects used in the 1990 version.”
• “Anne Hathaway’s portrayal of the Grand High Witch was inspired by several sources, including Anjelica Huston’s performance in the 1990 film, but ultimately aimed to be a unique interpretation.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Witches?

The 2020 adaptation of *The Witches* is currently available for streaming on Max (formerly HBO Max). While it was initially released directly on the platform, it is often available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for the most up-to-date availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Witches, you might like these similar films:

• The Witches (1990): Direct adaptation of the same Roald Dahl novel, featuring iconic practical effects and a darker tone.
• Hocus Pocus (1993): Features a coven of witches causing mischief and mayhem, with a comedic and family-friendly approach.
• Matilda (1996): Another Roald Dahl adaptation with a focus on a child battling powerful, villainous adults.
• Goosebumps (2015): A modern fantasy-adventure where kids team up to fight off monsters and supernatural threats brought to life from a book.

🛒 The Witches Related Products

• Roald Dahl’s The Witches (Puffin Books): The original book that started it all! A must-have for any Roald Dahl fan. Perfect for young readers and those who want to relive the magic. It is way better than the movie remake.
• The Witches (1990) [Blu-ray]: Experience the nostalgia with the original movie on Blu-ray. Anjelica Huston’s iconic portrayal is a must-see for horror and family film lovers! Also, the special effects look better than in the remake.
• Funko Pop! Anne Hathaway Grand High Witch Figure: Add the Grand High Witch to your Funko Pop! collection! A fun and quirky collectible for fans of Anne Hathaway’s portrayal. A perfect gift for Funko collectors.
• The Witches T-Shirt: Show off your love for ‘The Witches’ with a themed T-shirt. Available in various sizes and designs, perfect for casual wear and movie nights.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Witches features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Little Drummer Boy” – performed by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati, Harry Simeone

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Witches (1990/2020) side-by-side comparison

Ever wondered how different the 1990 and 2020 versions of ‘The Witches’ really are? This side-by-side comparison is mind-blowing; it really highlights how different directors can interpret the same story!

The Witches (1990) Movie Analysis – Was Grandma a Witch Hunter?

Okay, this video is a deep dive into ‘The Witches’ and proposes a crazy theory about Grandma! I never thought about it this way, but it actually makes a lot of sense. Check it out and see if you agree.

✨ Rate