Sundance: A24 Acquires Hot Horror Title ‘The Witch’ (Exclusive)

PARK CITY — A24 and DirecTV have acquired the U.S. rights for The Witch, the buzzed-about horror movie from Robert Eggers.

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter the deal is in the low seven figure range but exact terms have not been revealed.

The deal is for U.S. rights only. The foreign rights are still in play. A24 fended off competition from IFC and Magnolia, sources say.

“The Witch is one of the most fascinating and accomplished debut features we have ever seen. We are honored that we get to say we released the very first Robert Eggers film, knowing this is the beginning of many great things he has in store for all of us,” A24 and DirecTV said about the film.

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The movie doesn’t premiere until Tuesday but screenings have taken place, with the movie and the filmmaker generating terrific word of mouth. Eggers has already lined up a studio project.

“I am honored to be a first time filmmaker at the Sundance Film Festival, and humbled to know that this labor of love will now have the opportunity to reach a wide audience,” Eggers said. “David, Noah and Keith’s passion for the film is inspiring, and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the team.”

The Witch foreshadows the 1692 Salem trials in an eerie horror story that depicts a New England town immersed in a witch myth. When a family experiences crop shortage on their farm and a family member later goes missing, superstition settles and they begin to fall victim to their own inner fears, turning on one another.

The slow-burn horror and meticulous re-creation of the times were some of the aspects of the film that were winning praise from critics.

“A24’s vision, ambition, and out-of-the box thinking made them the clear choice as a theatrical partner on this film. We have been a fan of the work they do, and the films they release, and of their inspired devotion to filmmakers,” Parts & Labor’s Jay Van Hoy said on behalf of all the producers.
 
Anya Taylor Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger and Lucas Dawson star.

WME Global made the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.

A24 is owned by Guggenheim Partners, the parent company of Prometheus Global Media, which publishes THR. 

11:53 p.m. Updated with A24’s confirmation of the deal and quotes.