“She loved men… to death”
That is the tagline of the 2016 feminist horror comedy The Love Witch. Written and directed by Ann Biller, The Love Witch is a visually captivating film that stuns audiences with its alluring cinematography, complete with a picturesque 60s technicolor-inspired production.
The Love Witch stars Samantha Robinson as Elaine Parks, a witch with a deeply troubling, and unsuccessful romantic past who is committed to ending up with the perfect man by any means necessary. The film opens with a shot of Elaine driving down an empty road, her narration informing viewers that she is heading towards a fresh start. Prompted by the death of her late husband Jerry, Elaine decides to move to the city of Arcata, California. Upon arrival, Elaine wastes no time in seducing her next lover with a ritual that leaves him utterly obsessed. However, things quickly take a turn when he mysteriously dies the morning after a sexual encounter with Elaine. While Elaine is able to take care of the body and move on, questions regarding his disappearance begin to arise, leading the police to get involved. Elaine is now forced to hide her abilities, however her desire for love gets her caught up in a precarious situation that threatens to destroy her new life.
The glamorous feel of Biller’s film contrasts strongly with Elaine’s questionable methods of pursuing the men she’s interested in. The film leans heavily into its retro roots with its striking costume and set design, paired with a euphonic, dreamlike soundtrack. This surreal setting leaves viewers feeling as though Elaine’s love magic transcends through the screen. Clocking in at a run time of about 120 minutes, The Love Witch deals with desirability, power dynamics, sexuality, and friendships between women; all through the eyes of a woman who can use her talents to attract and control any man she wishes to. This film’s visual beauty is unquestionable, with reviews that consistently highlight Biller’s dedication to her 60s Hollywood inspirations. In an interview with Colin McCormack of SAGindie media consultant for independent film makers, Biller notes that she was actually unable to hire costume and set designers due to low budget. However Biller did not lose sight of her vision, and was able to create the costumes and sets almost entirely on her own.
While audiences across the United States had high praises for Biller’s work, many critics agree that the films’ runtime is too long for the plot to sustain, causing it to feel a bit boring at times. While I do agree that there are a few points in the film that feel drawn out, and occasionally some unnecessary dialogue that does not do much to move the overall narrative forward, I still find The Love Witch to be enjoyable with thought provoking commentary. It is clear when watching, that this film is a labor of love on Billers’ part, especially considering that she wrote, directed, designed, and produced it almost entirely on her own.
So, if you’re craving a film that is subversive, unsettling, visually captivating, and free to watch on Tubi, I would highly recommend The Love Witch.