the evolution of witches in film: the wizard of oz to hocus pocus to american horror story 🍎🔮🧹

[@trinaq]

I never really liked Glinda's line "Only Bad witches are ugly", since it implies that beauty and morality are automatically aligned, which naturally isn't always the case.

[@cyberpunkfashionblyawesome]

Yeah it's implying being pretty privilege for me but her dress is beautiful

[@misterminutes4504]

Also halo 😇 effect

[@ripthelordslove8826]

It also doesn’t help that the wicked witch of the west fits the stereotypical witch, which is an antisemetic caricature. It just adds a layer of ickiness to it all, considering that Glinda is a white, non-Jewish, woman.

[@PoppyOxymoron]

I feel like this could be a video essay in itself!

[@goldypound6625]

also in most cases the punishment for a witch's bad behavior was her losing her beauty/youth, and witches only started to become redeemed once they were portrayed as conventionally attractive women

[@hannahloveslayla101]

I was in high school when AHS coven came out and you CAN NOT tell me that season didn’t have a major impact/influence on fashion. Every girl on tumble looked like they were apart of the coven.

[@pyroshayniac1090]

I still have a floppy black hat. Haha.

[@marni3682]

I was that girl. I remember having a Pinterest board of their outfits from the show cause I found them so cool

[@ToyCircle]

Wait , who inspired who ? Because when I watched Coven for the first time this year I saw theit outfits and thought "Wow the costume designers must have used tumblr as inspo" was it actually the other way around where the costumes were the ones that inspired tumblr ?

[@saranalen2741]

Wear something... Black

[@ToyCircle]

@arielis kinser wow. So ahs coven kinda influenced tumblr.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

The animated version of ‘Sabrina’ was so cute.

[@mariaefstratiou7427]

Yes!

[@foshhaytek5304]

It's so underrated!

[@trinaq]

Totally, I grew up with both the animated and live action Sabrina TV shows!

[@mariaefstratiou7427]

@Erwin Lii No, because you're absolutely right that movie was tons of fun

[@spedaudiosbymalia]

@Erwin Lii I grew up on secret life so when I watched the original I was so confused

[@duanein3d]

Kiki’s Delivery Service is also an interpretation (one of the first I saw) of witches that was completely and totally positive. Not even an inkling that being a witch was anything less than cool and accepted.

[@tacobell1299]

I feel like most witches in anime are very different from those in US media

[@mibukdesjarlais534]

Yes!!!!! I absolutely *LOVE* "Kiki's Delivery Service" too. 💗 It's such a cute and wholesome movie. It's the perfect positive representation of witches and such. In fact, I think it might be one of the more grounded and realistic caricatures of a witch. I'm also happy to say that this movie was probably one of my very first exposures to the very concept of a "witch." Very honored to have grown up with this beautiful masterpiece of a movie. As I did with other Studio Ghibli classics. Honorable Mentions: There's also the witch Yu-Baba from "Spirited Away" (another Studio Ghibli masterpiece) who definitely falls under that old, wrinkly, cackley witch woman caricature, look wise. But instead of living in an old run down cottage in the middle of the woods casting spells, she literally runs her own successful business and makes a ton of mula. There's also Zeniba (Yu-Baba's twin sis) who actually does live in a little cottage but it's not run down. And instead of hunting down innocent children in the dead of night, she's literally just the sweetest and wholesome witch grandma you could ever ask for. And then there's entire the "Umineko" franchise. Which probably has some of the most horrifying, gruesome, violent, badass, iconic, classy, sassy, hilarious, meme-worthy, and out of this world gorgeous set of witches I've ever seen in my life. In fact, every single witch in the Umineko universe completely *TRUMPS* every other witch in American media period. Then there's also the anime "Little Witch Academia" which takes on the Mildred Hubble The Worst Witch/Harry Potter caricature by having the witches attend some prestigious witching academy in order to improve and perfect their craft as a witch. Their witchcraft at that. Get it??? Anyway joking aside, it's absolutely incredible and impressive at just how many witch caricatures exist in Japan alone. It's absolutely insane and amazing. 😊👍💜

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

Very true.

[@paris8681]

Bonnie Bennet was my favorite Vampire Diaries characters. I hate how in show she’s always risking her life for others but barely gets any thanks from anyone.

[@LeoLeoLeo12P]

Bonnie should be the protagonist of her own spin-off show, cause she was the best character in the whole franchise.

[@user-us7py1cy2k]

Her character was the victim of racism from Julie Plec

[@chuforeichi]

She's quite different in the book. TV Bonnie is actually 2 characters from the book. [edit] She and Damon had a small thing in the books, though I didn't finish the series.

[@banahisayas4832]

The epitome of the black-best-friend trope 🥲

[@gabbyvelasquez3767]

she was also a highly moral good witch, like her connection with nature and her identity as a witch was all about protecting the innocent from the supernatural!

[@Kurooganeko]

I don't think that Netflix Sabrina didn't make a huge impact because no one could relate to her, but rather because the show was super poorly written. And like every other riverdale style show, the writers can't decide who they are writing for. It's like a libra syndrome, wildly trying to please absolutly everyone, but ends up only hurting themselves

[@janaekelis]

many series on netflix are trying to use old beloved media as a base for new shows, where they completely misunderstand the purpose of the original and the themes it discussed. the political pandering is also dated, since teens these days handle politics differently

[@funtimefxlet6659]

Its both in myopinion

[@taylorslade961]

I didn't connect with it because the actress playing Sabrina was super stiff and awkward to watch. Not, relatable awkward, but embarrassing cringey awkward. I think that's why all the Riverdale style shows all fail. They don't interact or act like real people. No one talks or acts like that.

[@Kurooganeko]

@@taylorslade961 I wonder if the directors are to blame... But the scripts can only be very shitty as well

[@taylorslade961]

@@Kurooganeko I think its a combination of bad direction and poor casting. It seems like people were cast more for their appearance rather than acting talent.

[@dangeldoll]

it is easy to see that sexism is most apparent with the witch stereotype, there is no negative for a male contra part, a wizard was never nothing less than powerful, never sexually objectified and even in persecution faced no danger or damaging end to his life, calling a woman a “witch” is just a hair away from calling a woman a “bitch”, while calling a man a wizard has no negative meaning at all so it’s not even a thing

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

Historically men were accused of witchcraft too and executed as witches. Here in Finland in fact more men than women were killed as witches. It’s more modern media that’s gendered the term witch as female, even if witchcraft is gender neural still. Something like wizard of enchantress or fairy have different origins and are more mythological.

[@despinasgarden.4100]

@@sarasamaletdin4574 i think the only media were male witches are called "witches" too is the owl house, in all the other ones they call them warlocks or wizards.

[@dangeldoll]

@@sarasamaletdin4574 thanks Sara! I never knew Finland has a history of witches as gender-neutral terminology - as men and women were both persecuted under one term as "witch" I am referring to the "witch stereotype" in my comment, as there is no negative contrast in pop culture for men, we never get to see a negative stereotype of a male witch -they are mostly powerful, feared badasses with followers and underlings at the worst, they are old dudes with long beards or gross zombie-like monsters -but still powerful and feared the "witch stereotype" is sexist because it's used as a slur towards women, not men you witch, you hag, babajaga, devil's consort, wicked woman, rotten woman -all are used to put down women

[@pottertheavenger1363]

Geralt of Rivia, witcher, says Hmm.

[@glanni]

@Beatriz da Costa I can totally understand why it would be annoying, before I even gave Harry Potter a chance I rejected it because I thought the fact they conflated wizards and witches like that was illogical and an insult to magic. The biggest muggle move you can make tbh, how embarassing. It's a difference in the schools of magic! Hogwarts is even called "School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" IS IT NOT? So why pretend it's the same! Huh, Joanne? Is it like saying "School of Mathematic and Calculating" and then going on to call a male Math user a "Mathematician" and a female Math user a "Calculatess"? Or is it like saying "School of Reading and Writing", and then calling a male Language user a "Reader" and a female Language user a "Writer"?

[@faeryb0mb]

my mom was born in 64 and told me about how she watched Addams Family as a kid on tv (one of the few shows she watched. she didnt watch much tv) I adore Carolyn Jones's Morticia just as much as I adore Angelica Houston's

[@asalways1504]

And also granny from both adaptations that subverted the tropes of both the ugly hag and the spiteful mother-in-law.

[@FoodNerds]

Both are excellent

[@tiffprendergast]

Yeah

[@beatm6948]

Both characters served a slightly different purpose, but both important

[@FlyToTheRain]

no mention of my ghibli favs howl's moving castle and kiki's delivery service, although i'm sure it was difficult to squeeze in as many references as you did!

[@animeotaku307]

TBF, this video was mainly focusing on depictions in US media and both those films came from Japan.

[@FlyToTheRain]

@@animeotaku307 true!

[@reikun86]

@@animeotaku307 I knew there was no room to include them, but I love the witches in The Discworld Series. Granny Weatherwax will always be a badass.

[@Iva744]

Yeah this video was an exclusively American perspective which made some of it a bit awkward. Like saying that some newer depictions of witches "had no ties to actual witchcraft and instead resembles characters from fairytales" as if that makes any sense ("actual" witchcraft? You mean wicca which is a relatively new concept?) when fairytales have depicted witches long before anything mentioned in this video.

[@trashbasket11]

I love those depictions especially Kiki

[@TazinMashruba]

Also, Yennefer of Vengerberg in The Witcher series - Powerful, vulnurable, flawed and one of the stongest soceress in her world. It was a delight to watch her grow and navigate through life. Season 2 will release in December and your video gave me a whole new perspective of her chaacter!

[@LadyAhro]

I adore Yennefer and although most fans who have a remotely critical thought in their heads can recognise that Geralt is a man who doesn't necessarily recognise his true self (inherently desiring to do the right thing even though he claims to be neutral and also that he doesn't care about how others treat him) they can't think of Yennefer in the same way. She is from an abusive home and has never known real love. She believed that her power, ambition and finally a beautiful appearance would help her achieve it, damn the cost*. But still finds herself unhappy and alone. She wants to have a child in part because she wants to be loved so badly, and sees it as the easiest way to get unconditional love and be a child's entire world (and coming from nothing has made her want to have so much). Deep down that is almost certainly her real reason for wanting a child. But many people seemingly have only seen 'angry cold infertile lady' rather than the multifaceted person she really is. I'm a book reader and one of her most important relationships (her relationship with Ciri) is about to begin, which I adore and hope they do it justice. *So in the books practicing magic basically atrophies your reproductive organs and you get beautified as a form of prestige for the sorceress brand as it were (of course there's no such pressure on the sorcerers, who are allowed to be old and ugly). It's absolutely mandatory for all, there's no fancy "get a Hysto if you ever want to be pretty" which I think changed how some people saw Yennefer, thinking she's just bitter when she did this to herself. Realising that like Geralt, she doesn't necessarily recognise her true self (she wants unconditional love more than she wants to be a parent specifically) seems to make people more receptive to her character in the show or short stories when I've talked about her to people with a very dull view of her character.

[@lilyluna6391]

I haven't read books/haven't played games so If I watch the show do i understand what is going on?

[@vibesxena]

@@lilyluna6391 I hadn't done any of those things either and I still enjoyed it. The first season is pretty much sort of a introduction to all the characters and heavily centered on world building. It'll take a little focus on understanding because of ways I don't want to spoil, but later it all falls into place and is an enjoyable show ingeneral.

[@TazinMashruba]

@@lilyluna6391 The first season timeline is a bit difficult to understand at first but if you watch it closely than you'll understand. I watched the season twice. But I really really enjoyed the show. The show actually got me into the books. I think you should give it a try

[@lissamissa8618]

@@lilyluna6391 Yea you'll understand. The games actually take place like 20 years after the events of the show. The books are what the show is based on. Prior to watching the show I didn't play the games or read the books either. The timeline at first is confusing but after episode 6 or so you'll piece together the timeline and it will be this huge "Aha!" moment for you. Would definitely recommend.

[@Reylandson]

It's really nice to see how WandaVision approached these different styles of witch tropes by using sitcom language through the decades. In my opinion, Wanda is all of those things - she's powerful, but she's flawed, she wants to live a normal suburban life, but she can't, cause prophecy says she has to be an unredeemable world destroyer. Sure, this can be interpreted as inconsistency and eventually lead her to the "mad woman" trope, but I really hope she has more on her witches' road than just become a multiversal threat. Yet another fantastic video, by the way! :)

[@kinokochan]

You're so right, WandaVision explored this concept beautifully. I love that they embraced Wanda's roots by entwining her with popular depictions of the TV witch throughout the ages, contrasting her with Agatha's character who represents the classic persecuted and vengeance-obsessed, power-hungry witch, and it all culminates in restoring Wanda's original X-Men superhero name of Scarlet Witch. There's a lot of awareness of the evolution of the witch in popular media.

[@lotsanew]

Nah, WandaVision can fuck off, the whole MCU can fuck off unless they give us a Jewish, Rroma Wanda again, they're far from treating the figure of the witch and going against her demonization if not doing that, sorry.

[@silvergust]

@@lotsanew I mean I respect your opinion, and I do agree that Wanda should have most definitely been played by a WOC but the show is pretty well written. Also your opinion doesn't go for everyone so saying "us" is a bit of generalization

[@hopesummers3466]

@@lotsanew i agree wanda should’ve been played by a romani and jewish actor, but that’s not really all of the cast and crew’s fault (especially since some of the cast have talked about the rascism and misogyny within the cast and crew), also the mcu has been introducing poc, lgbtq+ and women characters recently (but i do agree they should have characters of a variety of different religions),

[@Error_-ct2vp]

Wanda is a terrible person. You clearly aren’t a real marvel fan to know that since it’s clear in the comics

[@Dreamingeye1]

What I find funny is Glinda absolutely insulted Dorothy since she first asked her if she was a good witch or a bad witch

[@gayzell850]

You're right, I never thought of it that way. Apparently, Dorothy wasn't pretty enough to be a good witch, since only good witches were beautiful.

[@reikun86]

That must've hurt Judy Garland, because it was well documented that she had issues with her appearance. MGM even picked her over Shirley Temple because they wanted someone who wasn't too cute.

[@reikun86]

@@OfficialROZWBRAZEL It makes me angry that all this came out, and these studio execs never had to answer for it. I know show business is an industry that exists to make money, but their methods were inexcusable.

[@tarakennedy707]

@@gayzell850 I mean she didn't think she was ugly enough to be a bad witch either

[@saintfighteraqua]

That wouldn't be correct. She asks her "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?" but also says "Only bad witches are ugly." This would mean that bad witches can be beautiful or ugly but good witches can only be beautiful. If she had thought Dorothy was ugly, she would have immediately assumed she was bad. By asking the question, it assures us that she though Dorothy was at least plain in not attractive. It isn't an insult at all.

[@RowanElliss]

It's also really important to acknowledge the history of antisemitic stereotypes present in the witch caricature. Hooked noses, warts, green/discolored skin, evil/greedy motivations, etc. are all associated with stereotypes of Jewish people. I'm not the most knowledgeable on the subject, so I highly recommend looking up the history of these stereotypes for yourself. It's truly disgusting how this caricature is overlooked and normalized.

[@vysharra]

The pointed hats and broomsticks likely go back to brewer-women in Western Europe during the Middle Ages, which would have been some of the very few *economically liberated women in that era. The anti-women sentiment of the stereotype may be as old (and seemingly as inevitable) as the anti-Semitic elements you mentioned.

[@porcupinesoda]

@@vysharra literally not true they were based on "Jew hats" that Jewish people were wearing in medieval Europe

[@LadyAhro]

Absolutely. SnappyDragon did a great breakdown of this

[@camilletorres-kelly628]

This. A thousand times this.

[@LucianCorrvinus]

Congratulations you're the seventh know-it-all who now have seen that particular content creators content about how all Witch tropes are anti-semetic. Lemmie tell you something lady you know they're not all anti-Semitic I'm not taking away anything from the ladies of Hebrew extraction out there but as a modern-day Witch I'm having a real issue with this repeated as total fact I'm seeing.

[@saraangel6696]

My eyes watered when you started talking about practical magic. Women supporting women is the best thing ever 💜💜💜

[@LucianCorrvinus]

'Yes, well....there's a little Witch in all of us'

[@Sirensscales]

Witches have become quite fabulous over the years

[@LucianCorrvinus]

Ummmm...to YOU all....we always have been...

[@SallyOnceArmy]

witches were always fabulous, they exist since the pre-history and were always women (and men) living their lives without harming anybody, all these bad/evil and ugly witches stereotype were made by the church because they couldn't bare powerful women + someone who had a belief other than their god

[@Sirensscales]

@@SallyOnceArmy noo I mean in movies their fashion choices improved alot for witches

[@jackieluna]

@@SallyOnceArmy you are absolutely correct

[@LucianCorrvinus]

@@Sirensscales what do you think we have a uniform or dress code?.... If they were bad don't blame the character...blame it's creator...same goes for the improved style...a Witch can dress outrageously or just like the most conservative Karen. Now we do all have a particular sense of style and a certain and different way we look at things and feel we are outliers... .mostly we dress with little concern for the appreciation or estimation of the. Nomajis and thier conformity of social display and taste...now go ahead ask me why we mostly like to wear alot of black...or white....clothing....its an intuitively understanding cuz of what they can do beyond the surface appearances...

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I think it hasn’t been said enough how much this channel is so cool and brilliant! ❤️

[@sosi1112]

Absolutely!! 😍

[@trinaq]

Definitely, it's one of my favourite fashion channels for that reason alone!

[@imbuffysummers]

Truly. Never clicked a video so fast. I so look forward to each video she drops and though I’ve been working full time this is the channel I still keep up with recent uploads most

[@Im_thatsmartcat]

Pokhraj Roy I've seen you in almost every video of tried and refused productions so hi

[@abbyniloingsigh7188]

Just before the advent of Harry Potter, there was a very popular series in Britain called ‘The Worst Witch’, which followed a girls school for witches.

[@nativenewyorker3144]

Omg I watched that. It was so similar to Harry Potter it’s crazy.

[@stargazerbird]

It was fab fun

[@victoriadiesattheend.8478]

This is a really brilliant dissertation on the public perception of witches and magick in the media. You are becoming...a force to be reckoned with, and I am proud to be a subscriber.

[@monikakavaliunaite8017]

I'm kinda surprised you didn't mention the new trilogy "Fear Street" which revolves around a witche's curse and is all about going against the audience expectations

[@ruthferdz7818]

@Erwin Lii yes!!!! I loved her style

[@artimiss1238]

I LOVED THAT TRILOGY ♥️♥️♥️

[@marmedina3340]

and also LESBIANS

[@C0rv1dBon3Z]

YES!!

[@Witchy_Cheree1982]

Definitely one of my favorite witch portrayals 🩷 so well done.

[@bluedreamer6564]

I love Wizard of Oz, but that "only bad witches are ugly" line, is such a bad idea to impart upon people. Teaches them, not only to judge someone by their looks, but to look down upon those that they find less physically attractive.

[@cheesygrl12]

this makes me think of the musical wicked, which purposely wants you to sympathize with the “bad witch” and see how horribly society has treated her for just being who she is

[@weirdcore1988]

They could have used a different line for example, "How do you know I'm good? good people aren't always pretty people and bad people aren't always ugly people"

[@Error_-ct2vp]

It’s just a movie not a political movement. Don’t take it so seriously

[@kxc7580]

@@Error_-ct2vp don't tell people to not take things seriously, people are allowed to criticize shit like this, I don't get why you're making such a big deal out of this tho

[@bluedreamer6564]

@@Error_-ct2vp Nobody ever equated it to politics. :p Also, one can have an opinion on something, without necessarily being overly serious about it.

[@ohbooyourselves]

I would also like the point out the negative imagery in the wiz with the bad witch being an "unattractive", dark skin, bigger black woman. And the good which being an "attractive", light skin, thin, half-black woman.

[@impliedwisdom]

THAT!! Out of curiosity, I just did a quick search on Lena Horne (who played the good witch in The Wiz) ancestry; “Both sides of her family were African American with a mixture of African, Native American, and European ancestry. She belonged to the upper stratum of middle-class, well-educated Black people” (Wikipedia).

[@morganjones1028]

Thank you! Colorism is a big problem in media too.

[@hoe4_sho]

Dianna Ross played the good witch... her kids are mixed but she isn't

[@hoe4_sho]

You guys are talking about the live plays. Many women played the good witch in the live adaptations

[@irrelevance3859]

Very good point.

[@imbuffysummers]

Omg. It never hit me until I watched this video. But one day? They WILL remake the Harry Potter movies. It’s not a matter of it but only of when. Let that sink in.

[@yourbabevee4835]

That is a terrifying thought

[@mimilillamy3460]

oh no

[@iprobablyhateyou8426]

I hope they do it as a tv series format so they can fit all the book parts that they couldn't in the movies.

[@iprobablyhateyou8426]

@@OfficialROZWBRAZEL Well I don't disagree with that neither. Hate JK.

[@makadray]

I think when J.K Rowling deceases then they could maybe go the tv show route. Until then I don’t want them to make more Potter media because it just lines her hypocritical and arrogant pockets.

[@sams_not_here]

im surprised owl house wasn't mentioned. Because for an animated kids show, it still holds up some common themes found in witch media. The women support women, the sexuality exploration, and the use of showing magic as neutral makes the show very interesting. i also love how it still puts teens in exaggerated, fantastical situations while also showing them facing teenage struggles (bullying, puberty, self worth, etc.)

[@josheydubs]

The Owl House is simply the best thing Disney has ever created. Even better than Amphibia or Gravity Falls.

[@Amayram21]

I was thinking about The Owl House too! Absolutely love that show sadly it’s extremely underrated. Unless your into watching cartoons (me) than you won’t even know it’s exists 😔

[@Error_-ct2vp]

It’s for kids and y’all are just being extra

[@sams_not_here]

@@Error_-ct2vp so was the animated sabrina the teenage witch and wizards of waverly place that she both mentioned in the video so my point still stands

[@Error_-ct2vp]

@@sams_not_here that’s different tho. That’s for entertainment and shit. You’re just being too dramatic like most women

[@asalways1504]

Two of my favorites are Mama Odie and Dr. Facilier From Princess and the Frog are two examples of witches in modern media that showed the duality of magic, and they were both witches that happen to be black! And they both got to sing songs that slapped.

[@LucianCorrvinus]

Voudun is it's own Religion. While i as a Witch call them Brother and Sister as they have connection influence and are within the Greater Curcle if modern Neopagan or Pagan belief....the practitioners of Voudun have titles we should use. Mambo for women Hougan for the men.

[@asalways1504]

@@LucianCorrvinus very informative,I did not know that. I wasn’t certain if Mambo and Hougan counted as witches. Thank you for the clarification.

[@emily-crawford-soprano9181]

So bedknobs and broomsticks is such an outlier and that is fabulous. I suppose the same would be said of Mary Poppins. Both have a “I’m not like most witches I’m a cool witch vibes” their costumes also tie them to the domestic tv witches rather than their cinematic contemporaries. Great video thank you for all your hard work!!

[@alisonjane7068]

"bobbing along, bobbing along, on the bottom of the beautiful, briny sea!"

[@thaisgregorio2734]

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is an underrated classic, I love it

[@reikun86]

@@thaisgregorio2734 I adored this movie as a kid. Angela Lansbury is so delightful, and this was before I knew she had a career as the "bad girl."

[@beatm6948]

I never realized Mary Poppins was a witch. Like duh, of course she is.

[@emily-crawford-soprano9181]

@@beatm6948 I mean she might be a time lord, but I could see Victorian humans thinking that’s a witch too 😹

[@catis4]

You should do a style analysis of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. I love Sabrina's style in the series and you can see the transition from late 90s fashion to 00s fashion.

[@daphne8406]

Oh gosh I used to watch Buffy and Charmed religiously as a teen in the 90’s 😝 Together with The Craft these were my go to girl power examples of cool 😂

[@wikstr18]

Same but i still have to watch The Craft

[@caramel2230]

The amount of research that went into this is insane

[@BellaGraceHarris]

i think it's also important to note that most modern depictions of the stereotypical witch (big nose, black pointy hat, etc.) are all based around anti-semitic stereotypes and imagery.

[@GGYMW]

I was hoping for this comment as I was waiting in the video to mention antisemitism. The route of witch imagery and their stereotyped character to obsess for money/looks/power ('stealing children') were highly antisemitic

[@talithacrow7530]

The hat actually has multiple origins, at some points that type of hat was just a trendy hat

[@bb-ih9hg]

The Love Witch is such a good movie. I love it, you can feel the adoration for late 60s/early 70s style/plot/etc and I love it so much. It's so much fun.

[@DemiSemme]

I remember the Bewitched episode where Darrin had a client who demanded an ugly witch mascot, and Samantha took Aunt Clara and a few of her other aunts to magically protest his bigotry, even turning him into the ugly caricature he'd asked for. And it might just be my love for Elizabeth Montgomery speaking, but Samantha will always have a special place in my heart. My current favorite witch, though, is Prudence Night from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina - she's so charismatic and complex and compelling, sometimes to the point of eclipsing Sabrina.

[@lefertap7636]

Prudence has to be my favorite witch of all. She just has that “ back off before I kill you” vibe

[@king-my3ps]

It would have been nice to add Wanda The Scarlet Witch from the biggest franchise in the world right now and how she uses her magic to deal with grief and depression. Life taking everything away from her but also the lengths of her power and how she can do much more than other depictions of witches before.

[@beccag2758]

I would have like to seen her too, she’s an excellent example of an antihero witch, WandaVision draws heavily from Bewitched, and Agatha contrasts Wanda as a more classical witch character (who’s also about to get her own show)

[@regina914]

Yeah, they're great examples for the evolution of the witches

[@myasmith1820]

MCU Wanda deserved better, she was Romani and Jewish in the comics 😔.

[@regina914]

@@myasmith1820 nah you're just one of those people that complains about everything. Elizabeth Olsen is doing a fantastic job in portraying Wanda Maximoff, it is what it is hon take it or leave it

[@margaridarodrigues3693]

@@myasmith1820 wanda was still romani in the mcu

[@mariaherfst348]

This video is amazing. I can't imagine how much research and effort is put into such a video. Also it's super interesting how you tie it back to the Hays code and just Hollywood history in general. Once again, a brilliant video

[@elliegrace7595]

perfect timing for this video xoxo

[@trinaq]

Indeed, Halloween is the best time to upload this video!

[@folkwh0re]

I was waiting for a video all week! It’s free therapy at this point!

[@trinaq]

Ditto, it's always a treat when Tessa uploads! ♥️

[@yvsfrbs_19]

My favorite witch in film is Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. But, anyways, can you please do a video like this, but time, it's the evolution of princesses in film?

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

Evolution of princesses would be really fun in my opinion too. Also it would show that some tropes come outside of Disney people often just think of. Although what modern princess is is pretty defined by Disney Iike Mulan being put to princess line for heroism (and being a popular lead in a film unlike someone like Eilonwy).

[@jonathanl9229]

I thought the Love Witch was made in like the 70’s?! The way it’s shot is so vintage looking!

[@nativenewyorker3144]

Yea it was meant to portray that time period.

[@PaolaLuna-lg2ch]

Unfortunately, I feel like the dialogue is so obviously out of the 2010's that it takes me out of the aesthetic and fantasy of the movie sometimes.

[@user-ls4ev3gt8m]

Please do a Buffy style analysis!!! That would be so cool! Her style changes notably throughout the 7 seasons of the show❤️

[@user-pq6rm1be4q]

yes yes yes or willow, her style is so awesome

[@tigerlillysbookcorner4492]

This video reminded me how much I love witches on film. I feel like the last good witch series was AHS: coven and the secret circle which was wrongly cancelled. I know you said that witches using combat felt regressive but growing up watching the series, I loved it. I wanted to be phoebe so badly. Also phoebe only used combat initially because she didn’t have an active power until season 3 when she could levitate and then season 6 when she became an empath. The one that didn’t make much sense to use combat because they had an active power was Prue. I think that’s why I ended up taking up martial arts. Witches need a serious comeback!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

‘Beautiful Creatures’ was brilliant. Emma Thompson had a brilliant role!

[@darklytailored5429]

As a practicing Wiccan myself I am happy to be seeing more progressive and positive representations of the craft. Happy Halloween and blessed be! I sure hope you make a video on Myrtle Snow from AHS.

[@sammyvictors2603]

even though the Craft depicted in the media is supernatural and/or fantastic in setting, not natural magic (as in nature and psychology)

[@evergreenlady784]

Happy Samhain and blessed be. 💜🌟🌙

[@JustinIverson]

I really do love your content. You talk about style in movies and TV in terms if character development and non-verbal storytelling. I think it's great, please keep going. I also love all your real world style moment videos.

[@elfsieben1450]

I really enjoyed Robert Eggers' "The VVitch" (2015). It is interesting to see how in his most recent film "The Northman" (2022) Eggers has portrayed a witch more like a shaman or seer. Another strong witch character is to be seen in "Excalibur" (1981).

[@katiezalewski8172]

I think if you're going to classify Carrie as a witch, you'd also need to classify Matilda. Loved the video

[@frie-anne4109]

Twitches is probably still one of my fave dcoms :D haven't watched it in a while though, after this video it I might rewatch with a new perspective

[@ishanidutta]

I think Penny Dreadful and The WinX Club should have found a mention.

[@clubjema]

Penny Dreadful is such an incredible show. So sad how underrated it is. It's one of my all time faves!!

[@ishanidutta]

@@clubjema I know right! 🥺

[@ishanidutta]

@Erwin Lii I think this video did talk about WITCH. But I don't know if it's the same one that you are talking about. I haven't watched it.

[@ladyredl3210]

@@clubjema hey fellow Dreadfuls. Agreed, Vannessa is definitely a witch.

[@lestranged]

With the new Dune back in theaters, it's interesting that even science fiction has witches in it. The Bene Gesserit. Crossover of 2 genres. Brand New Cherry Flavor is my favorite recent witch story. Catherine Keener is fabulously creepy.

[@benjalucian1515]

I really hate that they all them "witches". It's used as a derogatory term. Women in such powerful roles are always called witches. Why not sorceress? Mage? Enchanter? I saw this in Star Wars EU as well. Men are called Sith Lords. Women are called Sith witches. 🙄

[@lestranged]

@@benjalucian1515 high priestesses

[@hyenahearts6500]

14:37 another break to the rule is Dario Argento’s “susperia” where witches are used as a metaphor for systematic evil power and women are rarely presented sexually, if at all, pretty interesting since it started with the church as the power with witches as the victims

[@MiggyMiggs99]

Charmed definitely changed my perception of witches along with starting my obsession for them. Then I discovered The Craft and shows like Witches of East End and the Secret Circle along with characters like Bonnie. Recently I was invested in the charmed reboot but honestly it disappointed me so much although I have some hope for season 4. Still hoping for a great witch show that peaks all of my interests 😭. Thank you for making these videos, the time and care you take making them really shows 👏🏾

[@lidiafsr]

witches of east end had a nasty cancelation 😭😭

[@Sara.m.t]

Oh my goodness you included the witches from “Stardust”, I’m so happy!! 🤩

[@petko6926]

One of my favourite shows with witchcraft is the chilling adventures of sabrina, many people disliked the 3rd and 4th seasons, but i liked them, except the ending.

[@benjalucian1515]

Same. I wasn't happy with the ending either, but I liked all the seasons.

[@eziaaxx]

Alot of your videos are of subjects ive thought about growing up, im just glad someone is finally doing videos of them 🤣

[@Sahyravlogsxo]

Love how you always get your analysis right,love the vid

[@CM-pf1xc]

Oh my goodness, this is an amazing review of our entire film/tv history, not just witches!!! Great job. Loved how you connected to culture and economics so clearly! I hadn’t thought about all these things myself

[@florarobinson3656]

Yesss!!! Love Willow Rosenburg!! We need a Buffy the vampire slayer video!!!

[@tiffanyw4091]

YESS

[@pottertheavenger1363]

You could have added how the young counterculture also includes witches in games and books, like the Witcher, Dungeons and Dragons, videogames with enchantresses and sages, and BAYONETTA!, also comic characters like Magik, Nico Minoru, Zatanna, and of course Scarlet Witch. But is says film, so it's fine.

[@NeonGreenFairyJedi]

There was the 1980's 'Teen Witch' that depicted witches kinda like Sabrina. I loved it!

[@amrita2338]

Bonnie bennet was my favorite witch of all time and my favorite character in tvd

[@mmmk6793]

You should do a video on black witches. I'd love to hear your thoughts on ahs coven's portrayal of them, fast color and other films and media that center them. Or maybe I'll do it lmao idk

[@nastyalitvinova2784]

It's crazy how much inspiration I get from these characters whether it's the most brilliant The Craft or Sabrina or The Love Witch.. I absolutely adore the idea of witch sisterhood and using their powers (internal or external) to survive and even thrive in this patriarchal world!! Also the witch fashion is always so appealing to me, like you can wear leather, puffy dresses, slick black outfits, white collars etc etc and it feels like I will never run out of ideas coming from these characters and films

[@vasilisa2241]

A new take on Latina witchcraft is “Brand New Cherry Flavour”. Highly recommend this underrated tv show

[@moonacademy4584]

It's great to see a video with such an accepting and open minded tone in regards to witches, the occult and "different" people in general. Thank you so much for this! I hope we see a lot more of that in the world

[@suhasinishantharam9337]

My favourite witch depiction has to be Ms. Vanessa Ives from Penny Dreadful. Eva Green plays it so beautiful, vulnerable yet extremely dark.

[@Maybenottaco]

i think the overtones of the Hayes code were more puritanical than catholic

[@LucianCorrvinus]

I believe Hayes was Catholic and took direct inspiration frim the Council or was it League if Decency...a Catholic group....

[@Delight101ful]

I would also like to add the impact that Wandavision has in this new decade. Not only did marvel reference a former witch archetype in order to tell Wanda’s story, but it definitely influenced how many people see power versus magic. In the comics, Wanda is extremely powerful, and I’m excited to see her progression in other forms of Media!

[@ingusch3783]

I LOOOOVE your perspectives on the depiction of the witch! I actually wrote my master's thesis on the depiction of women as witches in the political sphere and the political messages of tv and movie witch depiction, now I feel like revisiting and updating/expanding it haha

[@InTheHoursOfDarkness]

I wish this included more about animated witches, as there are many. Also, the influence of sailor moon on american animation, ie steven universe, winx club, etc.

[@kmrose]

Practical Magic, Sabrina the TV series, Harry Potter, Charmed etc are media that shaped me and are still some my favorites today. A shout out to Samantha Stevens of Bewitched that I digested in reruns while I sick a lot.

[@camilletorres-kelly628]

My favorite pop culture Witch is Ursula from The Little Mermaid. So that got me thinking…I would love to see an Iconic Fashion Moments video on Divine’s red fishtail gown from Pink Flamingos (Ursula was based on Divine). P.S. Divine’s frequent collaborator, John Waters, has such a deep love and appreciation for the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. I recommend listening to him talk about her in an interview or one of his books.

[@stephaniehinds1481]

There is so much information presented in this segment that I would have to watch it a few more times to be able to digest all of the content. 👏 Bravo to creating this "Readers Digest" of women both past and present in various forms of "magic". 👏

[@CarlaGReads]

The witches and voodoo queens for AHS Coven are probably my favourites, purely because of their flare and skill set - I love when women just have unbridled power

[@reikun86]

Coven is still my favorite installment of the American Horror Story series.

[@rexbesong2157]

Hey Tessa i know this is a bit of but i have some ideas for future videos - i would really love if you would talk about certain celebs that really impacted fashion like audrey heburn, marilyn monroe, or modern counterparts like britney spears, paris hilton or ariana grande - Videos on more nostalgic topics like dolls , games and shows like a breakdown on disney channel style

[@anastarr2116]

I watched the whole video before I commented about my favorite witch movie that didn’t make it in this video. The 1989 classic Teenwitch , a teen witchy drama / romance chock full of makeover montages and busting out in song. And not just pretty theatrical songs, but girl raps!! I think maybe teenwitch deserves its own video. Maybe I should do that. LoL

[@evapalma9899]

TOP THAT!

[@Error_-ct2vp]

No because it’s bad

[@anastarr2116]

@@Error_-ct2vp That’s why it’s sooo good 😆

[@vixiestarfire]

Do you think it would be ok if I could have a list of all the movies you used in this video please? ☺️ I’ve always loved witches in fiction and I aspire to write my own one day and I can’t get enough of these kinds of shows to inspire me. I’m particularly interested in the older films

[@LucianCorrvinus]

Just please...when you write us Witches into future stories? Please remember that at best the public-at-large doesn't believe we exist or that we are somehow hippy-dippy dreamers lost in a fantasy make-believe world... Or were the tools of the devil... And it just how you we are portrayed in that story accordingly by making his either so Fantastical we could be nothing but character or grounding it in some reality about the faith in the crafts. This Witch of 30-plus years would appreciate that thank you

[@ktheworm]

Amazing video as always!!!! I was suprised there wasn't a mention of wanda! Wandavision was so huge and had the whole witch storyline

[@JasminMiettunen]

I wish she mentioned more of the movies she showed clips from, I'm so interested in movies and shows about witches that are *not horror* or very “dark”. I feel like she didn’t say any names of the pre-code movies, especially ones with sound. This was a really interesting video either way! :)

[@nativenewyorker3144]

My favorite witch based show growing up, Every Witch Way, is what set in stone how I wanted witches to be portrayed. The way they casted spells (similar to Wandavision as far as a signature move), the way the magic looked, I loved it all and I feel as if nobody watched it 💀

[@mariaefstratiou7427]

Could you please do a costume analysis about charmed?

[@maytalacedo20]

Harry Potter series was an interesting deconstruction of how we see witches while being creative and unique, what's cool about it is it's an option to either be a good witch or a bad witch: - hermonie (good) - minivera (good) - Ginny (good) - molly (good) - andromeda (good) - bellatrix (bad) - narssia ( bad but with the exception of redemption at the end) -umbridge (bad) - rita skeeter ( either harmless or want trouble for her own game) - lily the mother of harry (good) I just think that it's refreshing.

[@tararaw8518]

This was overall a really good video, actually one of my favorites. But I do wish there was atleast a small mention of the antisemitism connected to the look of the early witch. And also brought up actual pagans/Wiccan. I know it was already brought up in a previous video, but it does tie the witch to religion even during eras where it wasn't allowed to be. And as it was done very purposely to connect stereotypically Jewish features with witches considered to be evil or amoral, it does tie into and reflect societies misconceptions of Jewish people/Wiccan people.

[@benjalucian1515]

She probably didn't bring it up because it's a moot point. No one in modern cultures connects the two. so it's nothing but a historical footnote.

[@augha]

@@benjalucian1515 The depictions of the witch being anti-pagan or antisemitic? Either way, I still think it's relevant, especially because the antisemitism is present in a lot of the depictions mentioned in this video (especially the earlier ones, such as the Wizard of Oz), and the use of Wiccan/pagan traditions in movies and shows about witchcraft is still alive today (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and The Craft, for example), and continues to foster some anti-pagan bigotry through the witch's connection with Satan. In addition, from the number of comments on this video about the antisemitism of the witch caricature, there are clearly plenty of people in modern culture who connect the two things, if that's what you're talking about.

[@augha]

Although I have to add that some pagan practices that when represented correctly can also help with acceptance of pagans. There's definitely two sides to that coin.

[@katnip266]

Man-o-man.... I've dressed up as a different witch for most of my childhood Halloweens, but I never realized how diverse the roles were

[@MrMissplaced]

Great video SA. Very enjoyable.

[@ashleyanderson9581]

Just recently finding your channel and I love it! Definitely have been binging it. Can't wait to see more!

[@clxv]

I was just about to wear my witch costume for Halloween

[@excesscandle]

Thank you for including the original charmed! The remake is an absolute crime

[@tomb411]

omg I was just looking up on the W.i.t.c.h. comics as you uploaded this!

[@martina6379]

I know I'm extremely late but I have something to add:The "green-faced witch" trope was soooo popular that it even became the logo of probsbly one of the most influential metal bands from Spain: Mago de Oz...the band was formed back in 1988 and their band name is literally Spanish for "Wizard of Oz". Their songs also reference the classic story multiple times :)

[@madhurimak564]

Wow I'm early-Love your videos, Tessa!! They are so well researched, and I love your dry humour and eye for detail, and the story telling quality to your videos!! Keep going, you're amazing 😇

[@Ikealurker]

Witches in more recent media are so GORGEOUS, I always wondered why

[@harryelliott4602]

disappointed there was no mention of wanda maximoff, probably the most popular witch at the moment

[@CorHellekin]

Yeah, neither wanda or fear street, the most relevant depictions at the moment.

[@Animelover_212]

Any topic that talks about witches is always something I dive into. Thank you for this video essay.

[@Kirsten4260]

AAAAAAAA my day has been made even better thank youuu

[@PJKim-2413]

Although I'm late for this video, I like that this was posted right at Halloween.

[@zoufishany.4842]

now I want to watch every witch movie in the video

[@lara_xy]

I was obsessed with the animated version of sabrina, and a few years later charmed! Especially the style in charmed

[@camgeorge6222]

regina mills from once upon a time. She turned to magic for freedom of her mother oppressive rule and revenge on snow white . But as time goes one u see her win and finally gets a happy ending . There is also bayonetta despite being a very masculine witch ina sense of using violence and fight she retains alot of femininity. Enjoys being a woman and her sexuality never once she as a damsel or some witch looking for revenge. Despite her tough exterior and playful and sexual nature is very kind and nurturing becoming a surrogate mother to 2 young children positively influencing them. Also quite protective to her bestfriend another female to the point she goes to hell to save her and also the demon she makes her contract with is a female demon. Which most witches do in her clan.

[@heatherparisi6686]

regina slaughtered a whole village in one episode I can't believe your trying to make her an opressed character, also r*ped graham as well but nobody ever talks about that.

[@jessemurphy2158]

@@heatherparisi6686 we all have our flaws

[@aspannas]

You completely glossed over all the horrible things she did such as slaughtering people, choosing revenge constantly, r*ped Graham, wiped peoples memories etc.

[@heatherparisi6686]

@@aspannas you can't try and reason with a r*pe apologist. it's clear they don't care since they think it's just a quirky character flaw that regina has

[@aspannas]

@@heatherparisi6686 Yeah, she's not a character to praise or see as some feminist character. She rarely choose to do the right thing and even if she did, she would always turn around again and again and become evil and be revengeful. It always frustrated me watching how she never actually changed, even though she got her happy ending, she had already done so many horrible things. I did like her character, she is a very complex character that were able to do good, but completely glossing over all the bad things she did is just not right, especially the r*pe that was never discussed, people don't seem to see it for what it actually was - r*pe.

[@Sara.m.t]

The rebooted animated Sabrina Spellman tv show from the 2000s is the version I grew up with and man, oh man, I don’t remember much, but I do recall: 1. Salem being sassy as heck 2. Her bff being my fave from the show 3. The fashion was what every 9 year old girl would wear if she could

[@Pinkranger87]

Carrie wasn't a witch. She had telekinesis

[@cereza2117]

my favorite and I think its the Ultimate Witch is Bayonetta ♡ a gorgeous enchantress ballerina. A very recomended videogame!