‘Sorcery’ Unveils Magic and Mystery

There’s something sinister and magical in the air this summer with the release of Sorcery, a mystical horror drama hitting select cinemas on June 14, 2024. This atmospheric chiller, which made its UK debut at the Glasgow Film Festival, delves into the dark corners of 19th-century Chilean folklore, merging magical realism with stark historical realities.

Sorcery is inspired by real witchcraft trials in Chile during the 1800s, and it intricately explores themes of oppression, revenge, and the supernatural. The film features a standout performance from newcomer Valentina Véliz Caileo, whose portrayal of a young girl seeking to avenge her father’s murder has drawn comparisons to breakthrough roles like Jennifer Lawrence in Winter’s Bone and Anya Taylor-Joy in The VVitch. Critics from Horror Fuel have praised the film for its “fine cinematography and gripping performances,” while Sight and Sound highlight its “richly rendered story of anticolonial score-settling.”

Directed by Christopher Murray, known for his Venice Gold Lion-nominated film The Blind Christ, Sorcery also features performances from Daniel Antivilo, celebrated for his role in the Chilean shocker Hidden in the Woods, and seasoned actors Daniel Muñoz and Sebastian Hülk, known from the Academy Award-winning Netflix series All Quiet On The Western Front.

The narrative follows Rosa, an Indigenous girl on the remote island of Chiloé, who turns to a legendary sorcerer’s guild for help after a colonial foreman brutally kills her father. As her journey unfolds, Rosa’s harrowing quest for justice is steeped in the mystical traditions and eerie landscapes that surround her, evoking comparisons to folk horror touchstones like Hereditary, and The Wicker Man.

With its blend of historical drama and haunting folkloric elements, Sorcery promises to be both a visually stunning and deeply evocative cinematic experience. Critics and fans alike are heralding the film as an unforgettable entry into the folk horror genre, signaling the arrival of Valentina Véliz Caileo as a mesmerizing new talent on the international film scene.

Sorcery has already garnered accolades including a nomination for the Sundance Grand Jury Prize and the 2024 Online Film Critics Award for Best Non-U.S. Film. As it prepares for its release, the film is poised to make an impact on audiences and critics. If nothing else, it will make another great addition to South American horror cinema.

Sorcery trailer