WFG RATING: A-

Midnight Releasing presents a Seven7h Letter production. Directed by Anthony Gutierrez and Andrew Evans. Written and produced by Gianna Lutz and Andrew Evans. Cinematography by Anthony Gutierrez. Edited by Brian Cox.

Stars Gianna Lutz, Carter Burch, Chynna Walker, Swayde McCoy, Neal McCoy, Justin Biltonen, Dave Hurt, Emree Franklin, and Andrea Lee. 

A woman in search of her missing brother gets more than what she bargains for in this horror tale from the team of Anthony Gutierrez and Andrew Evans. 

In the city of Jacksonville, Texas, a forest area known as the Forbidden Territories has been the area where many have disappeared and never found. The police are even afraid to enter the area. Two weeks after her brother Jason disappeared after having to have possibly been in the area, Piper Strickland confronts the police about them not doing their job. When she finally had enough, she decides the only way to find out the truth is to go by herself. 

However, Piper doesn’t go alone. Her boyfriend Cody and best friend Mallory decide to go with her along with Mallory’s wannabe YouTuber boyfriend Devin. Devin has reservations about Piper due to some secrets he knows but Cody stands up to him in honor of her. When the group arrives at the campsite, they talk about a legend where four centuries ago, a young woman named Emily Covington used witchcraft and human sacrifices to get pregnant. Soon enough, mysterious things begin to occur and the group soon believes the legend may in fact, be a reality.

There are those who are going to think this is some sort of ripoff of The Blair Witch Project, but it is not. It’s not found footage but rather a straight up horror film about a witch that lives in a forest where invaders are not allowed. The film does take its time though as we get a typical horror opening that leads to a bit of a buildup in order for us to get to know the core characters of the film and nearly midway through, things then pick up. And it serves its purpose and is quite good in its execution. 

After seeing her in 2023’s Hands of Hell, I was hoping to see more of Gianna Lutz (who also co-wrote and produced with Evans) and I’m glad we get to see a different side of her here. This shows the level of versatility she brings to the roles. In HoH, she was a complete psychopath but here we get a 180 as she plays a woman whose frantic search for her brother digs up memories of her past, from losing her parents to spending time in a mental institution. It is as if you want to have hope that she will succeed knowing what the film revolves around. 

Carter Burch is quite good as Cody, who at first seems reluctant to keep his six-year relationship with Lutz’s Piper. However, knowing full well of her situation, sticks with her. That also goes for BFF Mallory, played by Chynna Walker. If there is one character you will not be able to stand and wish death upon him like no other is Swayde McCoy’s Devin. From the moment you meet him, you know he’s a complete tool. He’s a wannabe YouTuber who freeloads off Mallory and goes as far as to talk trash about Piper, prompting Cody to stand up for her. 

It seems at first like a slow burn because things pick up around the 40-minute mark, but trust that it is worth the wait. There are some crazy goings on here, including a scene that will guarantee to make you gag. This leads to something intense and a shocker of an ending that even I wasn’t expecting but it’s done in such a good manor, it should please horror fans. 

Despite its title and story, The Texas Witch is NOT a Blair Witch Project ripoff, but a good horror film that starts out in the psychological horror sense before going full on supernatural with a fantastic performance from lead Gianna Lutz. She’s definitely set to become one of the new faces of the genre to look out for if not already. 

The film is now available on streaming platforms to rent/buy.