The Love Witch

The Love Witch
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAnna Biller
Written byAnna Biller
Produced byAnna Biller
Starring
CinematographyM. David Mullen
Edited byAnna Biller
Music byAnna Biller
Production
company
Anna Biller Productions
Distributed byOscilloscope Laboratories
Release dates
  • January 31, 2016 (2016-01-31) (IFFR)
  • November 11, 2016 (2016-11-11) (United States)
Running time
120 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$258,576[2]

The Love Witch is a 2016 American comedy horror film written, edited, directed, produced, and scored by Anna Biller. The film stars Samantha Robinson as Elaine Parks, a modern-day witch who uses spells and magic to get men to fall in love with her with disastrous results. Shot in Los Angeles and Arcata, California, it premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.[3][4] In May 2016, it was acquired for distribution at the Cannes Marché du Film by Oscilloscope Laboratories.[5][6]

The film received a limited theatrical release in the United States on November 11, 2016.[7] The Love Witch was shot on 35 mm film, and printed from an original cut negative.[8] The film was acclaimed by critics for its playful tribute to 1960s horror and Technicolor films, combined with its serious inquiry into contemporary gender roles.[9][10] In 2021, Robinson's portrayal of Elaine in the film was included on The New Yorker's list of the best film performances of the 21st century.[11]

  1. ^ "The Love Witch (15)". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  2. ^ "The Love Witch (2016)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  3. ^ Sims, Hank (June 14, 2015). "'Love Witch' Film Crew Invades Arcata Plaza". Lost Coast Outpost. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  4. ^ "The Love Witch". International Film Festival Rotterdam. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  5. ^ McNary, Dave (May 18, 2016). "Cannes: Oscilloscope Buys Anna Biller's 'The Love Witch'". Variety. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  6. ^ Erbland, Kate (May 18, 2016). "Oscilloscope Laboratories Picks Up Anna Biller's Spellbinding 'The Love Witch' – Exclusive". IndieWire. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  7. ^ DiClaudio, Dennis (October 22, 2016). "The Love Witch coming to theaters, won't tolerate your talking and texting". The A.V. Club. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  8. ^ Biller, Anna (January 30, 2016). "The Death of Film". Anna Biller's Blog. Retrieved June 26, 2018 – via Blogspot.
  9. ^ Anders, Allison (January 11, 2017). "Fear of the Female Planet, or Why I Love The Love Witch". Talkhouse. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  10. ^ Walter, Brian (January 9, 2017). "THE LOVE WITCH: A Heady Brew". Film Inquiry. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  11. ^ Brody, Richard (March 6, 2021). "The Best Movie Performances of the 21st Century So Far". The New Yorker.