Thursdays are Witches Night Out all October for Bloody Disgusting’s 31 Days of Halloween!
On day three, we’re venturing into underseen territory with Alex de la Iglesia’s over the top horror comedy, originally titled Las brujas de Zugarramurdi. Of course, Witching and Bitching is one hell of an alternate title. If you’ve ever caught de la Iglesia’s other genre films Day of the Beast, The Last Circus, or The Bar, then you’re already aware of the writer/director’s unique brand of humor. And how mean-spirited or gross it can be. This entry is lighthearted with screwball comedy, but it isn’t afraid to get icky or spooky when it needs to. Since our Witches Night Out are only going to get darker and more Satanic as we inch toward Halloween, we figured we’d begin by showing off the funnier side of witchcraft.
Synopsis: A gang of robbers on the run from the police seek refuge in a secluded town in the middle of nowhere. It just so happens to be a town that belongs to witches, and they intend to use the robbers in a ritual that will bring about a witch apocalypse. Can these robbers save the world, let alone themselves?
Key Players: Look for de la Iglesia regulars Mario Casas and Carolina Bang to appear in central roles. Dagon and Shrew’s Nest actress Macarena Gomez plays one of the robber’s ex-wife, Silvia. Above all, look for genre staple Javier Botet as Luismi, a battered and gruesome victim of the witches. It’s a rare and humorous speaking role for the horror actor, just fresh off of REC and before any of the American horror movies we’d come to recognize him from.
Why It’s on the List: Spanish filmmaker Alex de la Iglesia’s genre films are unlike any other. His blend of humor, cynical social commentary, gross out gags, violence, and horror are so distinctly his. But Witching and Bitching is the one that ventures furthest into pure horror territory (more like splatstick). The subgenre of witches in horror tends to present such varied flavors and takes, and this underseen entry only supports that. It’s also precisely because this movie doesn’t come up in conversation much that it made for a great pick.
The Best Scare: Scare is a strong word; more like skin-crawling creep out scene. When Silvia finds the bar that her ex had previously passed through, she asks to use the bathroom. Big mistake. Not only is it as grimy as your worst gas station bathroom nightmares, but there’s something sinister and gruesome lurking below…
Where You Can Watch: Witching and Bitching is available to stream on IFC Films Unlimited.
Have you seen this horror comedy? Are you a fan of Alex de la Iglesia?
