The Blair Witch Project - A Movie Review

We’re making a documentary about a witch - I’m sure we’ll look back on this and laugh.

Released to theaters in 1999, The Blair Witch Project is about three students filming a documentary about the legend of the infamous witch. Heading into the forest, they are turned around in the several mazes. The trio soon learns of the dark tiles that have transpired along with terrifying visions.

When The Blair Witch Project was first released to theaters, audience members believed that this was all a true story caught on video. Aside from noticeable scenes of filler that slowed down the film, The Blair Witch Project has a startling atmosphere.

Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard were compelling in their performances. Goofing around and arguing A LOT, the trio of The Blair Witch Project teaches audiences how to tolerate people who you’d never normally associate with. It’s important to make things work so the project will run smoothly.

Though they fought too much, which got on my nerves, the actors did a great job in all of their interactions. I am glad that they had moments where they goofed around, making jokes, and laughing. Getting acquainted with someone new is a fun adventure. You never know what you’ll learn.

Did you know that Heather Donahue’s mother received condolence letters believing that her daughter truly went missing? Out of the trio, Donahue was the most impressive. The actress wrote most of her monologues. She manifested the right terror and hysteria, most notably when she brokenly records a message of herself sobbing.

I felt so bad for Heather. I didn’t like the way the boys bullied her about their lost trackings. The way she expressed genuine tiredness was wonderful. I could feel how worn out she was.

Shot as a found-footage style film, the camera is very shaky. Shaky to the point where you cannot make out what is happening. While it is realistic, the violent shaky camera effects caused some audience members to get sick during screenings in theaters.

Writers made the story as realistically as they could. Minimal casting was used for the film. The use of characters who were questioned about the Blair Witch delivered great monologues. The stories they created on the spot added to the dark atmosphere of what was to come.

The more I watch characters getting lost in dark forests, the more I don’t want to go for a walk in the woods. Every stick snapping, howl, and sighting made me on-edge.

Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez captured the grim tone. Letting their actors choose what came naturally to the scene, they mostly interacted with them via walkie-talkie. Filming only lasted for eight days.

I felt like the story lost its focus in some moments, specifically when the group constantly gets turned around in the forest. The bickering and foul language were too much.

The horror is subtle. We don’t have to see the horror. Just because we are not seeing the terrors that the characters are witnessing doesn’t make it any less scary. The night scenes are eerie. Even visuals like rocks or trees are creepy, fitting the mood.

Despite its flaws and repetitive nature, The Blair Witch Project conveys realistic behaviors of a situation anyone would be horrified to be trapped in. I thought it was a genuine story throughout most of my watch when I remembered that it is only fiction. This film changed the nature of found-footage-style films.

The Blair Witch Project is a horror classic. If you have not yet seen it, I recommend that you watch the film this Halloween.