Gretel and Hansel (2020)

"Somewhere beyond the depths of the forest and the clutches of the witch, two podcasters rediscover a forgotten fairytale. Welcome to Movie Memory Machine."

 

Episode Description

In this week’s episode, Landen and Truman explore Gretel & Hansel (2020), a visually stunning but divisive reimagining of the classic tale from Oz Perkins (Longlegs, The Monkey). With Sophia Lillis as a resourceful Gretel and Alice Krige as the unsettling Witch, this film trades fairy tale whimsy for atmospheric dread. Join the discussion as they dissect the film’s unique aesthetic, its exploration of feminist themes, and the age-old question: why does food always look so unappetizing in horror?

 

Major Cast and Crew

• Director: Oz Perkins
• Writers: Rob Hayes (screenplay), Brothers Grimm (fairytale)
• Main Cast:
  • Sophia Lillis as Gretel
  • Samuel Leakey as Hansel
  • Alice Krige as The Witch
  • Jessica De Gouw as Young Witch

 

Film Synopsis

In a grim twist on the Brothers Grimm classic, teenage Gretel (Sophia Lillis) leads her younger brother Hansel (Samuel Leakey) into the forest in search of food and work after being cast out of their home. The siblings stumble upon the home of a mysterious and sinister woman (Alice Krige), whose kindness masks a dark and twisted secret. As Gretel unravels the Witch’s true intentions, she discovers her own latent power—and must choose between saving herself or her brother.

 

Episode Highlights

• Oz Perkins’ atmospheric direction: is it spellbinding or just too slow?
• Sophia Lillis’ performance as Gretel: a feminist reimagining of the classic heroine.
• Alice Krige’s witch: terrifying, tragic, or both?
• Why is the food in horror movies so gross? (Seriously, what’s with the porridge?)
• A debate: is Gretel & Hansel a modern fairytale masterpiece or just pretentious art-house horror?

What’s your favorite reimagining of a classic fairytale, and why? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

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