Constructing the Image of a Witch in the Modern Horror Film

The article examines the representation of the witch in two horror films: “The VVitch: A New-England Folktale” (2015) and “Hagazussa” (2017). The films are set during the historic period of the witch hunts. The article draws on the theoretical foundations of the “monstrous-feminine” theory by B. Creed and the concept of “disgust” by Yu. Kristeva as its methodological basis. B. Creed's theory seems to be very promising in the analysis of horror films, which are built around a female monster figure, such as a witch. Based on the theory of B. Creed, we can identify three main themes in the construction of monstrous images in these films: mother-child relationships, the concept of purity and dirt and images of disgust. The basis is the female body, which becomes the primary indicator of the monstrous. It is concluded that the images of the monstrous are based on religious prohibitions, and one of the functions of horror is to maintain boundaries and taboos in a post-secular society.