‘They Were Witches’ CFF Review – An Atmospheric, Nightmarish Tale of Witchcraft Dripping with Dread
Mexican culture is rich with folklore about brujas, or witches, and several of the stories passed down through generations involve children. The bruja is often depicted as malicious and sometimes immortal. La Bruja is a creepypasta about a Mexican witch who kidnaps children, while La Lechuza, or the owl witch, is the story of a […]
Mexican culture is rich with folklore about brujas, or witches, and several of the stories passed down through generations involve children. The bruja is often depicted as malicious and sometimes immortal. La Bruja is a creepypasta about a Mexican witch who kidnaps children, while La Lechuza, or the owl witch, is the story of a witch who sold her soul to the devil in exchange for magical powers and can transform into a large owl and mimics the cries of a baby. The story is often told to children to discourage them from wandering alone at night.
Mexican filmmaker Alejandro G. Alegre’s (The Devil Told Me What to Do, Ánima) They Were Witches (Eran Brujas) tells the story of a witch who gains power by obtaining the breath of three orphans. Written and directed by Alegre, They Were Witches feels heavily influenced by Mexican folklore, and it’s easy to imagine a story like this being passed down from one generation to another. Tania Niebla (Ella Camina Sola) gives a striking performance as Mia, the host of a paranormal radio show, who unwittingly finds herself at the center of a horrifying scenario involving a witch, resulting in a blood-soaked, jaw-dropping final act.
