Book Excerpt: That Very Witch: Fear, Feminism, and the American Witch Film by Payton McCarty-Simas | Features | Roger Ebert
Briefly

That Very Witch examines the cyclical rise and fall of the cinematic witch in American culture and her connection to feminist movements. It analyzes how the witch's evolution across decades reflects shifting perceptions of feminism in political and cultural contexts. Historical analysis and case studies illustrate this relationship, with references ranging from Mia Farrow to contemporary events like the #MeToo movement and the 2024 election. The witch embodies the complex interplay between cultural narratives and societal attitudes toward feminism, showcasing her significance within the zeitgeist.
Ira Levin began researching his tale of demonic pregnancy in 1965, serving as an inadvertent chronicler of the not-yet-blooming occult revival of the era.
Mia Farrow and the cinematic witch reflect major shifts in how feminism is perceived politically and interpreted (counter-)culturally in America.
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