The Real-Life Inspiration For The Witch, This Year's Most Disturbing Horror Film So Far

Eggers learned of one old story in particular that seemed to make a major impact. The events describe a Massachusetts teenager named Elizabeth Knapp, who "became prone to seizures and fits . . . When the local pastor came to investigate her predicament, the young woman flew into hysterics, prompting the religious official to conclude she was possessed by the devil."

Eggers notes that he explored both versions of witch lore: those in fairytales, and those in the actual accounts from the time period. This led to a blurred depiction of the phenomenon, one that mixes all of the information into one terrifying piece. What's clear is that the film's plot is very much rooted in the canonical tales of what it means to be a witch, both fictional and nonfictional.