"The Witch Caleb" Once upon a time in a small village nestled deep within the forest, there lived a witch named Caleb. Caleb was not like the witches people usually heard about in bedtime stories - he didn't have a wicked cackle or a pointy hat. In fact, he appeared quite ordinary, blending in with the other villagers seamlessly. Caleb possessed an extraordinary power - his ability to communicate with animals. He could understand their language and they, in turn, trusted him with their secrets. This unique bond between Caleb and the animals was what made him stand out.
As much as I enjoyed the hint of incestuous feelings, I appreciate even more the loving relationship we see between Thomasin and Caleb. When Thomasin sees that Caleb is upset, she pulls him into her arms and you can see how comforted and happy he is to be held by her. They tickle each other, which is some of the only laughing we see in this movie. The characters all love each other but Caleb and Thomasin actually make each other happy.
Written and directed by Robert Eggers, The Witch follows William, his wife Katherine Kate Dickie , teenage daughter Thomasin Anya Taylor-Joy , adolescent son Caleb Harvey Scrimshaw and three younger kids to a makeshift homestead on the edge of forbidding woods. 24 He and the Guardians tried to rescue her from her brother many times afterward, but Cedric has won Elyon s trust and has been lead to believe that her brother is on the right side, and that the Guardians are the ones who are evil.
This unique bond between Caleb and the animals was what made him stand out. The villagers, however, were suspicious of Caleb. They misunderstood his powers and believed he used them for malicious purposes.
The witch caleb
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I had the opportunity to watch The Witch the day before last. Your ask reminded me of the message I had received about it when the movie was still in theaters and realizing it was out for digital download, I jumped at the chance to finally see it. I wanted to wait to respond to your message until then so that I could discuss the movie properly.
For those of you who are not familiar, The Witch (subtitled “A New England Folktale”) is about a Puritan family living on their own in colonial America. They traveled over from England and fell onto hard times after a dispute with the townsfolk. There are the two parents (both actors are Game of Thrones alumni); the eldest child and main character, Thomasin; her younger brother, Caleb; the two significantly younger children, a boy and a girl, twins – Jonas and Mercy; and then the newest baby, Sam. Ages aren’t given, but I would estimate that Thomasin is about 15 and Caleb is about 12 (as you said, @serendipitous– ). Jonas and Mercy seem to be 6ish. After baby Sam disappears, the family begins to unravel. As the title suggests, there’s a demonic/witchy presence involved, and it preys on them and they begin to doubt one another.
First, I want to say that I really liked the movie in general. Supernatural horror is not my genre but this movie is excellent. Everything about it is so gracefully understated. You catch glimpses and have feelings about something terribly wrong but it’s very subtle and atmospheric. Even though the focus is on what is happening/coming, you still get a sense of who the characters are in a way that isn’t always done so well in other movies of this kind. And there’s a lot of psychological horror going on at the same time. Even though there is a force causing trouble, they cause each other a lot of trouble too. I love seeing very simple stories done very well. And, I just have to say, those final scenes were so delightful. The second to last scene – well, it was worth the entire movie just for that. I’m still giggling with creepified delight.
Moving on to Thomasin and Caleb’s relationship. Well, I loved it. As @serendipitous– said, there are incestuous undertones. Caleb has a budding sexual attraction towards Thomasin. We see him glancing at her chest several times, but this makes him uncomfortable.
I actually really like the way it was handled and his attitude towards it. He fights it a little. He can’t help but notice her neckline but he doesn’t really indulge himself in ogling her. I think the movie did a really good job of balancing that relationship. He’s intrigued by her body but he also loves her more than anything.
Almost certainly this is partly due to the family’s isolation. They haven’t been on their own for very long – only a few months – but it’s a critical time for Caleb. The inclusion of incest may also have something to do with their puritanical values. The movie might be suggesting that the repression of sexuality in their society leads to…unfortunate consequences.
Caleb and Thomasin both have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. Thomasin is often tasked with taking care of the younger ones, and we can tell from Caleb’s serious manner and interactions with his father that he also shoulders a lot. This has made them close. They are both stressed out and take a certain amount of refuge in each other. They are also much closer to each other than they seem to be to anyone else in the family. Their parents are strict, religiously, so it’s only natural that Caleb and Thomasin are more comfortable around each other. Because of the much larger age difference, it’s hard to reach any definitive conclusions about this, but it also seems that Thomasin loves Caleb more than her other siblings. But that could also be because Jonas and Mercy are burdens to her, and Caleb is a help.
As much as I enjoyed the hint of incestuous feelings, I appreciate even more the loving relationship we see between Thomasin and Caleb. When Thomasin sees that Caleb is upset, she pulls him into her arms and you can see how comforted and happy he is to be held by her. They tickle each other, which is some of the only laughing we see in this movie. The characters all love each other but Caleb and Thomasin actually make each other happy.
And then when their parents are talking about sending Thomasin into service, and she is heartbroken, Caleb takes a huge risk (both putting his life in danger and risking his parents’ wrath) to make sure she doesn’t have to.
The last non-spoilery thing I’ll say is that, a horror movie being a horror movie, things don’t end well for anyone. So it’s not exactly a promising ending for the relationship. While the incestuous relationship does not get explored beyond what has already been mentioned, the mother does start ranting at Thomasin and accuses her of seducing Caleb. She says, “You bewitched thy brother, proud slut. Did you not think I saw thy sluttish looks to him, bewitching his eye as any whore? And thy father next.” Obviously the mom is losing her marbles at this point. It’s sadly no surprise that she blames Thomasin for Caleb’s feelings, though it’s interesting what she says all the same. Thomasin’s “sluttish looks” were most likely only playful, but who knows. Obviously the mother noticed Caleb checking Thomasin out. It is interesting that Thomasin was made to know about Caleb’s attraction towards her. (I’d say prior to that she had no idea.)
As for my spoilery comments, I guess I don’t have much to say, except it’s a shame that Caleb died, and so early too.
I can only take comfort in imagining what their life would have been like if they had enough money to survive and there was no witch business. The two of them getting older, and still isolated on their farm. Lots of potential there, especially since the canon material already introduced incestuous feelings.
Thank you to everyone who recommended the movie!
Greg Cipes, the voice actor for Caleb
Rumors spread like wildfire, claiming that Caleb was casting spells, concocting potions, and summoning dark entities. Fear and mistrust filled the hearts of the villagers, driving them to shun Caleb from their community. Despite their hostility, Caleb never harbored ill intentions. Instead, he used his powers to heal injured animals, find lost pets, and bring harmony to the village. Time and again, Caleb proved his worth by aiding those in need, yet the villagers remained wary of his presence. One autumn evening, as the sky darkened and a storm brewed, a young girl named Lily got lost in the forest. Panic gripped the village as they searched high and low for the missing girl. Desperate, they finally turned to Caleb for help. Ignoring the villagers' skeptical glares, Caleb embraced his role as a protector of both humans and animals. Utilizing his extraordinary gift, he called upon the creatures of the forest to aid in finding Lily. Birds chirped to signal their location, squirrels guided the search party, and even the elusive foxes emerged to lend a hand. With Caleb at the helm, the search became a harmonious blend of human and animal cooperation. Together, they scoured the forest until they found Lily nestled under a tree, frightened and shivering. The villagers were astounded by Caleb's abilities and realized the true nature of his powers. From that day forward, the villagers embraced Caleb as one of their own. They recognized his selflessness and the positive impact he brought to their lives. Caleb's title as the village witch took on a new meaning - one of respect and gratitude. Throughout the years, Caleb continued to use his powers for good. He became a healer, a teacher, and a protector. The villagers no longer feared him, but instead sought his guidance and wisdom. Caleb's presence became a symbol of unity and understanding, reminding everyone that appearances can be deceiving. "The Witch Caleb" ultimately teaches us the importance of acceptance and the power of compassion. It reminds us to look beneath the surface and not judge others based on rumors or stereotypes. Caleb's journey is a reminder that sometimes the greatest strength lies in the most unexpected places..
Reviews for "The Witch Caleb: Rediscovering a Dark Chapter in History"
- John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Witch Caleb". The plot was all over the place, and I had a hard time following what was happening. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, which made it difficult for me to connect with them. The pacing was also off, with some scenes dragging on for too long while others felt rushed. Overall, I found the movie to be confusing and unengaging.
- Sarah - 1 star - I really regret watching "The Witch Caleb". The acting was wooden, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The story itself was predictable and cliché, with no real surprises or twists. The cinematography was also underwhelming, with poorly lit and uninteresting shots. I was really hoping for a thrilling and thought-provoking experience, but instead, I was left disappointed and unimpressed.
- Emma - 3 stars - I had mixed feelings about "The Witch Caleb". On one hand, the film had some beautiful visuals and atmospheric scenes that created a sense of unease. However, the story felt convoluted and hard to follow at times. The performances were hit and miss, with some actors delivering strong portrayals while others felt flat. While there were moments that intrigued me, overall, I found the movie to be underwhelming and not as impactful as I had hoped.
- David - 2 stars - "The Witch Caleb" had potential, but it ultimately fell short for me. The pacing was slow, with many scenes dragging on without adding much to the plot. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to care about their fates. The film also relied too heavily on jump scares and cheap thrills, rather than building genuine tension and suspense. While there were a few moments that I found eerie, overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with the movie.