User reviews

The lighting, ambience, color and soundtrack are spot on to being a dark fantasy. All the things are there for this to be a good movie. It's deeply creepy. It's delightfully pagan and devilishly witchy! I didn't know the rating of this when I watched it for the first time. I honestly thought this film was Rated R from just how unsettling, dreary and nightmarish some of the visuals were. There's no way in hell I'd go into a house that looked like that, resembling a witches pointy hat. NOPE! This movie will rattle your bones if you're an adult but I think the kids will think its just a traditional fable movie to watch on Halloween in the future!

A film that you can fill in the blanks from your own imagination. Loosely following the story Hansel and Gretel. The soundtrack certainly adds to the film. It's not an ott typical USA film. Using the fantastic scenery of Ireland, that can be made to be very haunting. My only criticism is sometimes the sound of dialogue is not clear enough and difficult to understand a few mumbled lines. Otherwise watchable.

Osgood Perkins' 'Gretel & Hansel' is a visually arresting and atmospherically rich horror tale with a script that doesn't quite reach the heights of the storyline told through imagery. The movie loses itself too often in a dreamscape horror without rectifying or clarifying, which leaves the metaphor foggy and the horror muted. The performances are decent: Sophia Lillis holds the screen with a quiet confidence as Gretel and the sensational Alice Krige making for a supremely chilling The Witch.

....it just falls short, and kind of leaves you unsatisfied. It's beautiful and dark visually, and it had so much potential to be a great movie, but ends up being something better watched at home.

There are many scenes in this movie that are very good, there are many images that are very creepy, and the overall story is one that feels somewhat unique even though it's based on a story that could date back to the 1300s, during the time of the Great Famine in Germany, and has been retold thousands of times, and recently too (remember "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters"?). This movie looks gorgeous- from production design to cinematography, everything is beautiful. It's shot in a smaller aspect ratio than normal (1.55:1), giving the film a squarer look. The way that Holda's home is designed, to look incredibly triangular, works amazing when shot in this aspect ratio, because it gives everything a more perfectly aligned look. There are honestly very few shots in this whole film that don't look gorgeously grim. The way that some of the dream sequences are shot are awesome too, and the hidden chamber behind the wall, where most of those dream sequences take place, is probably the most chilling use of minimalism I've seen in a PG-13 mainstream horror flick. It's there in that room that some of the gorier images arise, and also where a fair amount of the chilling sequences come from. If you like slower, more atmospheric horror films then this movie is a good way to kill an hour-and-twenty-five minutes, but if you're looking for a fast-paced, jump-scare-filled PG-13 horror flick aimed at teenage couples who want to squeal with delighted terror every time a loud bang is made, then look somewhere else; this movie isn't that at all. As a whole, I thought this movie was incredibly watchable, but it also had plenty of small flaws throughout.

This movie was beautiful, dark, and suspenseful. the cinematography is just... amazing. this movie isn't your ordinary the conjuring or IT type of movie, its a movie that will let you leaving the theatre with a lot of questions. if you love movies like the witch, midsommar, or hereditary, gretel and hansel will definitely grab your attention.

...because the only important thing is the atmosphere in every adaptation of a classic fairy tale. The story is familiar and it is almost impossible for director to give to the viewer his expected story version. And the film gives a honest perspective about a world who lives, from decades in ourselves, serves, in beautiful manner, difficult themes, propose the fair supports for reflection . I do not expecting a horror, a fantasy, a moral lesson. Only a new side of a fairy tale Not original but decent. And Gretel and Hansel is a good one.Because, in simple and precise way, gives the tools for understand yours stories. Because, more than a fairy tale, it becomes, scene by scene, a parable. Because the special effects is well used , the tension is delicate buided, the end is the fair one. And the performances are real good. A film of brotherhood , life purpose and black fingers.

When the most memorable part of a movie is how many times characters 'oink' like pigs, it's not a good thing. The movie is pretty. That's about it. The story goes nowhere, the plot is unengaging, and I was left underwhelmed. The film tries too hard to be artsy, stylish, and taken serious. Unfortunately, this makes the movie feel slow and pointless. Movies should evoke emotion, making the audience feel something- whether it be sadness, fear, or excitement, etc. This one felt equivalent to sitting in a 3 hour long college lecture on cinematography. I'm not gonna say don't see this movie, but I will say that if you REALLY want to see it, I recommend you wait until you can rent/stream it to save your money and potentially time if you decide to turn it off.

The only thing (apart from the title), I knew going into this, was that this was supposed to be trash. Now I like me some trash movies from time to time, so I was prepared for that. Turns out that's not the case at all. Actually this is more of an art excercise than anything else. Anything else also including the Hansel & Gretel stories we know - which the title switch of the names might be the first indicator of.

That's not all that is different - certain aspects seem to be as you may have seen them in other movies, but the majority of the movie dares to be different. In a lot of ways - character wise, story wise, setting wise, incidents wise ... Now that should answer the question some might have had, about the necessity of the movie: are there not enough of these already? Well apparently you can spin this another way - and it works.

Now having said that, it is surely not without flaws, yet the fact it goes places you probably don't expect it to go, handles horror in a way I personally prefer to the in your face jump scares (it is about mood and setting it) and how it is shot (visually) is quite exceptional! You have to be in the mood for this type of film and some may have issues with the pacing - but you can't please everyone anyway!

The poor girl Gretel (Sophia Lillis) and his little brother Hansel (Samuel J. Leakey) are left by their mother and they must cross a dark wood seeking out work and food. They stumble upon a house with a feast on the table and Hansel opens the door to get some food. Out of the blue, an old woman (Alice Krige) surprises the little boy and offers a job to the siblings. But soon the smart Gretel feels that something evil lives in the house.

"Gretel & Hansel" is a film slightly based on the Brothers Grimm's fairytale. The wonderful cinematography is impressive, the cast is great, but the pointless screenplay does not help. The pace is also too slow for the genre. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Maria e João: O Conto das Bruxas" ("Mary and John: The Witch Tale")

During the movie, a couple of people left the theater. I think those were the kind of people who don't know what a good film looks like. If you appreciate good acting, suspense, cinematography and a very spooky vibe during a whole movie, you should definitely go see Gretel & Hansel. However, if you go and expect a movie like The Conjuring or IT, I can only say one thing "don't go".

I know the story as a kid, and I went in expecting this to be scary and totally different from the story as a kid, the same as they have turned other childhood stories into horror films. This film missed a lot of opportunities to develop the story to make it a great horror film. It was very boring, confusing and not scary at all. It seem like it was a prequel to a much bigger story. I wouldn't waste my money going to the theater to see this, wait until it hits DVD or a streaming app.

I enjoy atmospheric, visual-driven horror films. Gretel & Hansel delivers both aspects in spades.

After the death of their father and the mental break-down of their mother, Gretel (Sophia Lillis) and her younger brother Hansel find themselves lost and alone. As they wander, a virtuous huntsman directs them to a woodsman's family that will care for them, if they can safely traverse the foreboding forest - which is the abode of a mysterious witch (Alice Krige).

The director of "The Blackcoat's Daughter" and "I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House," Oz Perkins is certainly a fan of scary movies. He's not one to embrace shock value by using cheap jolts, I applaud him for that. Wisely embracing a sinister creep of malevolent forces as they attempt to corrupt the seemingly pure. "Gretel & Hansel is a proper fit for Osgood Perkins, presenting us with a disturbing tale of caution. I very much enjoyed the art-house sensibilities . The visuals are suitably baroque and sinister. Very clever cinematography Oz Perkins adds to his horror films. 'Gretel & Hansel' has Perkins stamp throughout the film. Sophia Lillis made a phenomenal impact with her work in this film she is so talented . Albeit I love a costume period piece , Sophia Lillis missteps not speaking with a foreign accent to match the other lead characters ; the lack of one took me out of the intended period setting. I do not think this would be a huge deal for most it is my pet peeve watching a Period horror flick set in the 1300 century in the Baltic states. The thematically stylistic sense of dread outweighed my slight quibble. Gretel & Hansel is a very stunning film with plenty of visual flourishes and memorable imagery.

The film was very served by South African actress Alice Krige, she was excellent. Perkins bathing in his mood of tight aspect ratio, and his love of Alice Krige, who's handed every opportunity to act her heart out as the wrinkled, black-fingered antagonist witch. "Gretel & Hansel" has its gruesome moments and is worth a watch for the arthouse sensibilities & classic Gothic fiction. I think most fans of the genre will, at the very least, appreciate this film for what it is. 7/10

Absolutely awful, insulting to be in the horror genre, nothing about this film was scary or horrifying. First movie i ever considered walking out on or falling asleep to. Only good thing i can say is the witch was perfectly. Movie was extremely slow paced and never picks up at all, truly dreadful and waste of money. Even the music choice was awful, robotic techno sounds like i was watching tron

Nice little reimagining, I enjoyed it. I don't understand the "so boring" I guess the iPhone generation is just doomed. But if you can unplug for 90 min and appreciate a film like us old hags over 40. Give it a watch.

Well this movie has nothing to do with Hansel and Gretel really they just used the name to get publicity. Hansel seems like an afterthought in this movie without no real impact.

The movie is really really boring and even though it is only 87 minutes it feels like a life time. This movie is like a dj who keeps building up and up and up but it never drops the beat never and you end up blue.

Buying couple beers will provide much more entertainment for you than watching this.

It was about time for another, more serious adaptation of Hansel and Gretel. It's long been one of my favorites of the Grimm's cannon and it lends itself the easier to a horror adaptation. Unfortunately, this one doesn't always go as dark as it probably should and trades in scares for coming of age drama, long silences, some inaudible dialogue (a la The Witch), and endless dream sequences.

If you like dream sequences, you're in luck, because there are about 400 of them here. I think we spend more time with Gretel in her dreams than we do with her in reality. There's also some very questionable and unneeded narration by her character throughout that just annoys more than informs.

Visually, the film is practically perfect. The set design, costumes, lighting, and shot composition create quite the unnerving mood that the script constantly struggles with. Make no mistake about it - the technical aspects of the film are the highlight and it's a classic case of style over substance. The script never really seems to know what it's trying to say or accomplish. There are a few attempts at girl power feminism, but it feels undercooked and more like pandering than anything meaningful about female nature.

By the time the film finally comes to life, it's already over and you might feel a bit underwhelmed. It might still be worth seeing for production design and cinematography hounds.

I watched the trailer and it looks like a well staged movie. Then I came to Imdb to my surprise, so many bad reviews. I was skeptical but yet I give it a try. The movie itself is captured beautifully, props to the cameraman, almost every scene is an art of some sort.

The story itself, I can say, a bit slow paced, but storyline was good. There are plots that made me wonder, but all are answered in the end. Overall an enjoying remake of Hansel and Gretel with a little bit of twist at the end. DO NOT TRUST THE POORLY RATED REVIEWS!!!

At minimum I'd say around 6.5/10. But for me I loved it so 8/10.

Oz Perkins, director of the overlooked spookfest called "The Blackcoat's Daughter" (and "I Am the Pretty Thing that Lives in the House" which I regretfully haven't seen yet), serves up a new rendition of Grimm Brothers' fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel" with a twist - it's now called "Gretel and Hansel". Suppose they wanted the female character to be named first. Jokes aside, "Gretel & Hansel" is a visually arresting and atmospherically (really trying to be) rich horror tale with a script so lacking it hurts.

I wonder what did Osgood think when he read the script by Rob Hayes, for whom this was the debut in writing a full feature. It seems to me that the director has truly tried to fill a rather eventless script with his by-now-trademark-style (admittedly, the assumption comes from comparing only two movies) atmospheric shock devices. I cannot think of a better word than "spooky" - Perkins definitely has find his own interesting and effective filmmaking approach to horror. The story - which we all more or less know - has been spiced up a little, but the problem is that it halts to a long and nearly tedious stop already after the first act. The first half an hour is arguably the most entertaining one & the ever-awaited witch only appears at the end of it. Gretel and Hansel even trip balls on some fly agaric. After the repetitive and streteched-out second act, the third delivers a little more of the goodies and an perhaps unexpected ending, that's not to say it's very satisfying. "Gretel & Hansel" possesses two great cards, one of which are the performances by a decent ensemble of actors, from which the highlight belongs to Alice Krige in the skin of the witchy witch. The other card is by far the strongest and that is the all-around amazing visual design of the movie, from extraordinary-feeling cinematography to perfect coloring, good editing & subtly odd but interesting original score. Also, as far as pg13 horror movies usually go, this one's one of the most serious and limit-reaching I've seen.

It's the screenplay that punches itself in the nose with its uneven nature, lack of any real substance and a few silly dialogue lines as a bonus. I suppose the apparent and consistent female perspective does wonders for some viewers, but those changes did not save the movie. Other than that, a great art-house fairy tale if You just give it a chance. My rating: 6/10.

Slow. Boring. Stupid. No payoff. At least 2 people in the theater were snoring. They were the lucky ones.