SPOILER DISCUSSION

1. I have no idea what Han getting the axe at the end meant. It just feels so strange hearing that he has found his purpose, as he takes out the axe his mother shoved into the table, as though it represents some kind of way out of the situation for him. Maybe it’s representative of making something of oneself despite precarious familial situations. The axe was left as a reminder of destruction and represented the dissolution of his family unit, but now it serves as his way forward, almost as if he’s used the obstacle as a stepping stone towards bettering himself. This would be a cooler idea, if it was hinted at all in the movie that Han had interests or concerns outside of food, but almost all the development time goes to Gretel, so everything I said above is just food for thought, with no real grounding.

2. I do enjoy the incorporation of the tale of the Witch into the story, even if it didn’t feel seamless. The revelation that Holda was the legendary witch’s mother, adds a strangeness to her relationship with Gretel. Gretel was abandoned by her mother who threatened to kill her. Holda got rid of her child(? I think- if I’m wrong that’s my bad) after her child took away her husband and others. Now she’s trying to give skills to Gretel,to help develop her into a young witch, as a kind of daughter/protege. Is it because of feelings of guilt at what she had done with her own child, or because she’s lonely and wants someone around?

I do like how the relationship ends. The fable at the start of the movie warns of people who give gifts and those who accept, and it’s clear from the ending that Gretel used that to her advantage by using the gift of witchcraft to kill Holda. Holda should have been more careful and cognizant of what she had taught her “student”. Her lack of foresight is the reason she ended up suffering.