Stories about witches and sorcerers have always excited the imagination of people, and cinema has taken full advantage of this, creating many films, cartoons and TV series about the adventures of those who are friends with otherworldly forces.. At the same time, genres range from historical dramas to comedies and horror films.. Focus brings to your attention the five best films on the theme of witchcraft, magic and other supernatural things from Netflix.

" The film is set in New England in the 1630s.. Puritan couple William and Catherine are trying to lead a pious Christian life, settling on the edge of an impassable wilderness with five children.. When their newborn son Samuel mysteriously disappears and their crops are destroyed, the family begins to turn on each other.. The film is a thorough dive into the religious paranoia of the era..

Anya Taylor-Joy played the main role in the film.. Its slow pace and authentic dialogue draws the viewer into its eerie narrative setting, leading to a climax that is both unsettling and thought-provoking. Critics and audiences alike praise the film for its historical accuracy and psychological depth, making it a standout in the supernatural horror genre.

The film also performed well at the box office, collecting $40 million against a budget of $4 million..

Eggers himself considers The Witch one of his best works.. He adopted the style of narration and disclosure of the events of this picture for "

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The story centers on four old college friends who reunite for a trip through the Scandinavian wilderness.. A wrong turn leads them into the mysterious forests of Norse legend, where an ancient evil still exists, haunting them.. The film skillfully combines elements of friendship and fear, culminating in an encounter with a mythical beast.

It's a thrilling blend of psychological horror and Norse mythology.. The film's strength lies in its ability to maintain tension and suspense through character dynamics and suspenseful atmosphere.. The monster, when revealed, is uniquely terrifying, drawing inspiration from a rich history. Filming, by the way, took place in the Southern Carpathians. The premiere of “Ritual” took place on February 9, 2017 on Netflix.

The Apostle is a 2018 horror film directed by Gareth Evans.. The film takes the viewer back to 1905. The story centers on Thomas Richardson, a former Christian missionary who was persecuted in Beijing during the Yihetuan Uprising for bringing Christianity to China.. He comes to a remote Welsh island to rescue his sister Jennifer, who has been kidnapped for ransom by a religious cult.. Cult preacher Malcolm Howe claims he can speak for the island's goddess. Since the land on this island is not fertile, they use the blood of both animals and their own to improve the harvest, but lately these means have not helped. Thomas poses as a cult follower and plunges into a terrifying abyss of events.

Dan Stevens played the main role in the film.. Also joining the cast are Michael Sheen, Lucy Boynton, Bill Milner and Christine Froseth.

Ancient Rituals is a 2020 American horror film directed by Christopher Alender.. It follows Mexican-American journalist Cristina Lopez (Brigitte Cali Canales) as she returns to her hometown near Veracruz in search of a story about witchcraft and healing.. There, she is kidnapped by the locals after a bruja (witch) determines that Christina is possessed and must be cleansed through ancient rituals..

The film explores themes of identity, faith and the clash of modernity and tradition.. It stands out for its emphasis on indigenous cultural practices and the protagonist's personal journey. The film combines elements of body horror with psychological terror, creating a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere that effectively conveys the struggle between skepticism and ancient lore..

The film was liked by the audience, scoring 98% on Rotten Tomatoes..

Night Notes is an American dark fantasy film directed by David Yarowsky and written by Mickey Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis.. It is based on the children's book of the same name by J.. White. It tells the story of Alex, a boy obsessed with scary stories who finds himself trapped by an evil witch in her magical New York City apartment.. To survive, he must tell a chilling new story every night..

The film weaves a narrative rich in fantasy and dark enchantment as Alex and his captive Yasmine plot their escape..

This is a family horror film that balances children's fears with the power of storytelling, making it entertaining for both young audiences and adults. Krysten Ritter's portrayal of the witch Natasha is deliciously evil, bringing both charm and menace to the screen..

The film stars Winslow Fegley, Lydia Jewett and Krysten Ritter..

Previously, Focus wrote about the best medical TV series.