Butter, a Dress, and a Deal with the Devil

So, picture this: a young Puritan named Thomasin, all innocent and sweet, is just one pretty dress and a pat of butter away from selling her soul to the dark side. Yikes! If we just focus on that pivotal moment in The Witch, it’s still a showstopper. Anya Taylor-Joy, as our leading lady, nails that combo of being vulnerable yet downright desperate. Add in some bone-chilling sound design that makes Black Phillip’s whispers slither around the room, and you’ve got a recipe for horror gold.

Black Phillip: The Star of the Show

Black Phillip doesn’t just waltz in at the end; oh no, he’s casting his shadow from the very beginning. He’s the goat lounging on the farm with Thomasin’s not-so-happy family: her dad William, her mom Katherine, and all her siblings – the whole Puritan crew! They’ve been kicked to the curb for being a bit too judgmental, so here they are, stuck at the edge of the woods in 1630s New England. Can you say awkward family reunion? This goat, Black Phillip, is always around, and the twins definitely think it’s hilarious to mess with Thomasin about being in his book. But the real horror is how her family treats her; they’re pointing fingers like there’s no tomorrow! Every little mishap? Thomasin’s fault! Little Samuel goes missing? Blame her. Caleb has a crush on her? Guess who gets labeled the witch. Their blame game intensifies until they’re convinced she’s the reason for all their misfortunes – not their own arrogance. Spoiler: it’s a total mess.

Hollywood’s Infernal History

Now, let’s be clear: Hollywood’s been churning out depictions of the devil for ages! Satan has strutted his stuff from way back in the day, even before movies had sync sound. Remember the 1922 classic Häxan? Or F. W. Murnau’s awesome twist on Faust? There’s been everything from the suave Mr. Scratch in The Devil and Daniel Webster to John Carpenter’s baffling, gooey Prince of Darkness. Oh, and who could forget Peter Stormare’s laid-back Satan in Constantine? Usually, the devil’s portrayed as this big, abstract evil force. Think back to that wild ride in Fantasia with the gargoyle-like baddie or the CGI shenanigans in Spawn. But the devil really shines when he shows up as that charming trickster who’s ready to make a deal. You’ve got Robert De Niro and Al Pacino sweating it out in Angel Heart and The Devil’s Advocate, while Max von Sydow has a blast with it in Needful Things.

Black Phillip: The Ultimate Temptation

Then you have Black Phillip, who arrives in a way that’s way more subtle than fire and brimstone. He’s all about the questions: “What dost thou want?” And let’s be honest, how could anyone resist the offer of butter and a snazzy dress? And then he wraps it up with the ultimate question: “Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?” Mmm, sounds tempting! Sure, selling your soul has its perks – Faust gets youth, the ladies of Eastwick snag a dream guy, and Tommy Johnson learns guitar. But butter? Seems a tad dull in comparison! Yet, that’s exactly what makes Black Phillip’s temptation so compelling. He’s not here to offer the flashy lifestyle; he’s offering Thomasin a taste of something deeper she’s been starving for. For too long, she’s been dismissed, and finally, here’s someone who acknowledges her choices. Talk about a win!

The Devil Made Them Do It

Of course, Black Phillip didn’t put Thomasin in this pickle. Nope, her parents and even her siblings did their devilish duty by shunning her from the get-go. They were the real culprits, doing the devil’s dirty work by labeling her evil. Eggers has brilliantly crafted Black Phillip to be more than just a cliché villain; he’s a symbol of the malice festering within the family unit. The evil runs deeper than Black Phillip alone – it’s lurking inside every family member and even in Thomasin herself, just waiting to unleash its full fury. And when the blame finally breaks her, guess who’s ready with butter, a fancy dress, and a devilish grin? Yep, that’s right, it’s Black Phillip, the star of the show.