Häxan

Synopsis

Blending historical lecture with dramatized horror, this unique film explores the evolution of witchcraft from medieval superstition to modern hysteria. It vividly depicts grave robbing, torture, and satanic rituals, suggesting that supposed witches were actually suffering from mental illness. Benjamin Christensen’s visually inventive work uses elaborate costumes to create a grotesque, fascinating study of human ignorance, fear, and the dark history of the occult.

Critique

Benjamin Christensen’s genre-defying work is a unique hybrid of documentary, horror, and historical essay. By treating witchcraft with scientific curiosity rather than supernatural dread, it drew daring parallels between medieval superstition and modern mental illness. Its imagery of demons, torture and orgies remains shockingly potent and visually inventive today. Häxan challenged the boundaries of what film could discuss, acting as a provocative critique of religious hypocrisy and misogyny that was decades ahead of its time.

Technical sheet

Director

Benjamin Christensen

Year

1922

Country

Sweden

Running time

105 min

Genre

Documentary, Horror, History

Written by

Benjamin Christensen

Cinematography

Johan Ankerstjerne

Cast

Benjamin Christensen, Ella La Cour, Emmy Schønfeld, Kate Fabian, Oscar Stribolt, Wilhelmine Henriksen

Production

Aljosha Production Company, SF Studios

Music

Newly composed original score

Licensing