'The Blair Witch Project' reboot announced: 5 bone-chilling theories that haunted the original movie
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: When 'The Blair Witch Project' made its debut in 1999, it quickly became a massive hit. The film, shot in found footage style, captivated audiences with its unique storytelling approach and realistic portrayal of horror.
Written, directed and edited by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, the original film portrays a fictional narrative about three student filmmakers - Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard - who venture into the Black Hills near Burkittsville, Maryland, to film a documentary about a local legend known as the Blair Witch.
The three filmmakers vanish without a trace, but a year later, their equipment and footage are found. The film presents this recovered 'found footage' as the audience's perspective on the events.
Now, the announcement of a reboot of 'The Blair Witch Project' by Lionsgate has sparked excitement among fans of the original film.
With this announcement, let's discuss five chilling theories that did the rounds after the groundbreaking original film.
Michael and Joshua were responsible for Heather's death in 'The Blair Witch Project'
One of the most widely discussed fan theories surrounding 'The Blair Witch Project' suggests that Heather was not killed by the Blair Witch, but rather by Michael and Joshua.
Some fans think that in 'The Blair Witch Project', there was no real Blair Witch. They believe that Michael and Joshua planned the whole trip and made up the Blair Witch story before they went.
The theory has also been kept alive through online discussions, fan theories, and analysis, as well as references in popular culture.
A fan wrote on reddit, "Mike and Josh secretly used GPS and were never lost. Mike stole the map. The tent was shaken by an attached fishing line being pulled. The house was scouted and located beforehand, this was all meticulously planned out weeks in advance. Josh put the slime on his gear, left the teeth out, and shouted at them from afar, Mike lead Heather to the house, led her upstairs, and then downstairs right where he (and Josh) would be waiting for her. They used all the witch/Rustin Parr lore to terrorize Heather right up until her death."
'The Blair Witch Project' fan theory suggests Michael and Joshua were involved in a cult ritual
Another theory that has remained popular among fans of 'The Blair Witch Project' is the idea that Michael and Joshua were involved in a cult ritual.
This theory suggests that the events depicted in the film were not random or the result of a supernatural entity like the Blair Witch, but rather part of a planned ritual carried out by a cult.
Fans have pointed to a particular scene in 'The Blair Witch Project' as evidence for their theory. In this scene, Michael appears to throw the map away, which some fans interpret as a deliberate act to confuse Heather and prevent her from finding her way out of the woods.
Joshua's disappearance in 'The Blair Witch Project' is viewed by some fans as a plan to drive Heather and Michael into the cottage. This theory suggests that this scenario could have been planned to kill Heather.
A fan wrote on reddit, "Mike and Josh killed Heather as part of a cult ritual, and there's a lot of evidence to support this."
Joshua was possessed by the witch in 'The Blair Witch Project'
Another theory surrounding 'The Blair Witch Project' suggests that Joshua was actually possessed by the witch.
Supporters of this theory point to various clues throughout the film, such as Joshua's mysterious disappearance and his erratic behavior.
A fan theory suggests that Josh was possessed during the scene when their campsite was attacked, and they all fled. Joshua eventually ran off into the night, leading Heather to the house.
A fan wrote on reddit, "Rewatching for Halloween of course and just drew a connection I hadn't before. I think I've seen this theory but here it is anyways. I think Josh was possessed in the scene when their campsites attacked and they all ran. After that he starts antagonizing Heather before obviously running off in the night and luring them to the house."
Joshua's role as the villain in 'The Blair Witch Project'
Some fans believe that Joshua was not a protagonist but rather the villain in 'The Blair Witch Project.' They argue that his actions, particularly towards the end of the film, suggest a darker role than initially perceived.
A fan suggested that the true horror may have originated from within the group rather than from external forces. The fan wrote on reddit, "Josh is the first to hear the cackling, yet never awakens the other two to alert them of a possibly malevolent intrusion. Josh accidentally knocks over the pile of rocks. Even when the ruckus is stirred inside the tent, he doesn't seem too phased by it. Regardless of immense starvation, creepy encounters with a possibly supernatural being, the unidentified gunk found on his belongings, etc., he remains almost too calm."
Joshua, Heather, and Michael ambushed by backwoods locals in 'The Blair Witch Project'
Another chilling theory suggests that Joshua, Heather, and Michael were ambushed by hostile backwoods locals in 'The Blair Witch Project.'
According to this theory, the locals may have been using the legend of the Blair Witch as a cover for their nefarious activities. Fans argue that the abrupt and violent conclusion suggests a more human threat rather than a supernatural one.
A fan wrote on reddit, "It seems very plausible that everything within TBWP could in fact be the work of depraved backwoods folks whose territory has been invaded by the protagonists. As nothing that happens is supernatural and we never really see what "The Blair Witch" truly is, it seems increasingly more likely as the film progresses."
These theories, although speculative, highlight the enduring fascination and intrigue that 'The Blair Witch Project' continues to evoke among the viewers.