A24 has just announced it will open “The Witch” nationwide a week earlier than expected, meaning you can now check out the most terrifying movie of 2016 (so far) on February 19.
Back in September, the rising distributor surprised when it announced it would eschew a traditional limited release window and open the Sundance horror sensation nationwide on February 26. While moving up the film’s release date may be a sign of confidence, all eyes in the indie community will be watching the movie’s box office performance closely.
Open Road Films tried a similar strategy last summer when it opened “Dope” nationwide on its first weekend, but that plan backfired as the movie couldn’t gain the traction to match its critical acclaim. Prognosticators believe “The Witch” should fare better since the horror genre is more accessible to mainstream audiences, but opening an indie nationwide from the get-go is a risky endeavor nonetheless. The movie’s universal acclaim will hopefully boost its profits further.
“The Witch,” from writer-director Robert Eggers, centers on Puritanical Christians who relocate to an isolated patch of wilderness in the hopes of living out an idyllic life. But the space has an eerie quality from the outset, and it doesn’t take long for creepy occurrences to endanger their cozy setup. Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickey and Anya Taylor-Joy star.
Watch the official trailer below, and catch “The Witch” in theaters on February 19.
