The Witches (1990)

The Witches (1990) is a darkly comic family adventure about young Luke Eveshim, recently orphaned and sent to live with his wise, witch-savvy grandmother. While staying at a seaside hotel, Luke and a gluttonous new friend, Bruno, stumble into what appears to be a genteel convention of women — a cover for the Grand High Witch’s sinister plot to turn England’s children into mice. When Luke is discovered, he is transformed into a mouse and must rely on courage, cleverness and his grandmother’s lessons to thwart the witches’ plan. Watching the film, you’ll get a mix of tense thrills and wry humor: eerie atmospheres and whispered menace sit alongside pratfalls, brave small-scale heroics and moments of warm familial loyalty. The hotel-set climax delivers a classic cat‑and‑mouse feel (literally), with inventive visual tricks and memorable creature makeups that emphasize the story’s fairy‑tale danger. The movie balances genuinely scary moments with slapstick and heart, so laughs often follow sharp jolts of suspense. It’s a family film with a darker edge — touching themes of loss, bravery and resourcefulness — best suited to older children and parents who enjoy Roald Dahl–style macabre whimsy. Expect to feel entertained, a bit unsettled, and ultimately rooting for the small but determined hero.

Actors: Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling, Jasen Fisher

Director: Nicolas Roeg

Runtime: 91 min

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Family

6.0 /10 78 /100 6.8 /10 6.9 /10