The Witch of Endor

Directed by Derek Hutchins

Warning – This review may contain spoilers.

The Witch of Endor, directed by Derek Hutchins, adapts the biblical story of King Saul (Dave Martinez) as he seeks out the Witch of Endor (Ehlana Bo) in a desperate attempt to summon the spirit of the Prophet Samuel (Devin Tanner). Saul is shunned by God and in his final act of desperation he turns to the supernatural for guidance on how to save his kingdom. This short film does a great job of capturing the dark, mystical atmosphere surrounding the story as it navigates themes of power, fear, and spiritual conflict.

Martinez’s portrayal of King Saul is solid capturing a man who is on the verge of losing everything and frantically grasping at anything that might save him. Ehlana Bo brings a haunting presence to the film although her introduction from a distance takes away some of the immediate tension. While the story is grounded in biblical context the performances particularly during the scenes of Saul’s desperation and his violent confrontation with the Witch, convey the emotional weight of the story even for those unfamiliar with the original biblical narrative.

That said the film does feel like a piece of a larger story. The characters have potential for deeper exploration but their development feels somewhat limited by the runtime. There are missed opportunities to delve into Saul’s deteriorating mental state or to build more tension in the scenes between the Witch and Saul. For example, close-ups during their confrontation would have added intensity and given more depth to their interactions. Additionally, the story relies heavily on exposition delivered through opening text, which lessens the impact of the characters’ dialogue and the weight of their choices.

Visually the film is striking, making great use of lighting especially considering the nighttime setting and reliance on torch and firelight. The compositions are well thought out and the choice to have much of the action play out in low light contributes to the eerie mood. However there are some shots that feel slightly out of focus which can be a bit distracting in moments of high tension. Despite this the sound design and editing do a good job of immersing the audience in this mystical world. The melancholic score and the crackling sounds of the fire help to create a sense of foreboding as Saul’s fate becomes increasingly grim.

Overall, The Witch of Endor is a visually strong adaptation of a biblical tale though its short runtime limits the depth and emotional connection the story could achieve. The performances, especially by Martinez as Saul, are engaging and the film’s style is effective in setting the stage for a mystical and ominous narrative.

The Witch of Endor is a solid short film that showcases an intriguing moment from the Bible but it misses some opportunities to fully flesh out its characters and build a more intense emotional connection. The cinematography, sound design, and performances do much to bring the story to life. Fans of biblical adaptations or mystical narratives will likely appreciate the atmosphere and tension of the film.