Nerds That Geek Movie Review – ‘The Witch: Part 2. The Other One’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Witch: Part 2. The Other One’.
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One thing that horror fans can agree upon, is that the mega horror franchise currently lies dormant. Which isn’t a bad thing by any means. Simply because we are in the midst of a horror renaissance, where fresh and original horror stories are everywhere to be found. The kind that challenge us and wow us and make us uncomfortable with their raw commentary upon the world and the human condition and sometimes… the intimate fears that we face. But there is something to be said about the mega franchise and what it does for fans of horror everywhere and its benefits to those who are uninitiated to everything that horror has to offer. Because those stories… offer continuity and familiarity and just plain comfort really.
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Since you know what you’re getting into when you settle in to enjoy one, and you can easily use those films to show friends and those curious about horror as to what the genre can indeed accomplish and why it is worth their while. Leaving one to wonder… when the mega franchise will return, since horror tends to be cyclical in nature, and what it will look like in this new era of horror themed storytelling. Oddly enough, it turns out that there are some filmmakers out there, that are currently trying their hand at creating new mega franchises and getting a jump on its return. Such as writer/director Park Hoon-jung. Since the latest chapter in his Witch saga just dropped on Shudder and well, The Witch: Part 2. The Other One makes it clear that Mister Hoon-jung is indeed working to create the next massive horror franchise, one designed to showcase what this type of film can do in the modern horror world.

Courtesy of a story that fleshes out the universe he created in The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion. Since this motion picture, plunges us back into a world where genetic manipulation and science have in essence brought out the magic within us and when we return to this world, we are introduced to a poor soul with the designation, Ark 1. And she has managed to escape an all-out assault to destroy a facility similar to the one we saw in the first film, one designed to make these modern witches and now that she is free… she manages to befriend some everyday folks in town and appears to be on her way to living a normal life. But the dark forces searching for her and others like her, and the darkness of humanity, will make that an impossibility and will push her to face her past and a truth that will change the course of her life forever. 

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Which is a plot that really does offer up one grandiose tale. Since it expands upon the horrors of the first film, by revealing unto us how many facilities are out there creating more of these witches and it is also quite epic that there are forces fighting against such experiments. Giving rise to a turbulent supernatural world beneath the surface of our own, where powers and horrors untold thrive while we go about our day and our own unique tribulations and well… without spoiling anything, as this story progresses, the grand nature of this story only expands and explodes in a dynamic manner that takes your breath away. Making it clear that Park Hoon-jung really has put a great deal of thought into this franchise and how he wants it to connect beautifully and work toward something bigger as horror franchises did back in the 1980s. 
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However, the wonder of this film doesn’t end with the reintroduction of the horror epic, if you will. For this is a story that is also beautifully human from beginning to end. Since it features well-thought out, dynamic characters that we can instantly relate to. Not to mention, it knows where to inject humor to lighten the mood, most of which relates to wonderfully timed, food themed jokes, and all of this just helps to draw us into this universe further and it also helps… to shock us to no end. Because the powers that Ark 1 and others like her harbor, are indeed powerful and terrifying, and when they are put on display… the film holds nothing back in expressing what those powers can do to the delicate fabric of flesh that we think will oft protect us.

If anything, this is just… a stunning horror epic. One that features incredible visuals and incredible settings, and a story that really does captivate you. Courtesy of the fact that this story savors every moment of beauty and terror, so that one can properly appreciate the nuances of this story and its deeper meaning. Since you’ll find plenty of commentary and subtext regarding the importance of responsible science and research and…  it makes sure to also fill in the blanks regarding any mysteries or questions that you might have as the story plays out… so you feel ready to move forward from this story to embrace everything and every epic and gory moment, that the next chapter in this next great horror franchise is going to send our way.     

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