Horror History: GRETEL & HANSEL Was Released One Year Ago Today

  |  
Jan 31, 2021
Gretel & Hansel

Gretel & Hansel, one of the best-loved horror films of 2020, was released exactly one year ago today. On a personal note, it was the last feature film I saw in a theater before Coronavirus made the formerly-commonplace practice of moviegoing potentially dangerous.

Related Article: Director Defends PG-13 GRETEL & HANSEL: “Doesn’t Affect Sophistication of Horror”

Gretel & Hansel is a fantastic example of hard-hitting PG-13 horror. If you missed it when it was in theaters and haven’t had a chance to stream it yet, check out the trailer and synopsis below.

Synopsis:
When their mother descends into madness, siblings Gretel and Hansel must fend for themselves in the dark and unforgiving woods. Hungry and scared, they fortuitously stumble upon a bounty of food left outside an isolated home. Invited inside by the seemingly friendly owner, the children soon suspect that her generous but mysterious behaviour is part of a sinister plan to do them harm.

Gretel & Hansel is directed by Osgood “Oz” Perkins (The Blackcoat’s Daughter) from a screenplay penned by Rob Hayes. The film stars Sophia Lillis, Samuel Leakey, and Alice Krige.

Related Article: Says YOU: Dread Central Readers Picked the Top 10 Horror Movies of 2020!

Trivia:
The crone played by Alice Krige is never named in the movie, but the Amazon Prime feature that lists the movie’s cast identifies her as “Holda”. (Source)

At one point the witch in this movie says “What a world.” Fans of the film The Wizard of Oz will recognize this as the Wicked Witch of the West’s final words as she melts. The director of Gretel & Hansel, Osgood Perkins, often shortens his first name to Oz. (Source)

The mushrooms that Gretel and Hansel find very closely resemble Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria). When she asks the mushroom if the mushrooms are kind, she says that it says, “Eat Me” quite possibly a reference to Alice in Wonderland. The Fly Agaric mushroom contains psychoactive chemicals that can produce a wide variety of symptoms including hallucinations and synesthesia. (Source)

Are you a fan of Gretel & Hansel? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.

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