Witch Hunt (1994)

A darkly comic noir fantasy set in a Hollywood where witches are real and McCarthyism has a supernatural twist.

Witch Hunt - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Witch Hunt
  • Release Year: 1994
  • Directed by: Paul Schrader
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: TV Movie, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
  • Runtime: 1h 40m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Production Companies: HBO, Pacific Western, HBO Films
  • Production Countries: United States of America
  • Alternative Titles: Witch Hunt (US), 魔界世紀ハリウッド (JP)

Witch Hunt - Plot

Magic and murder connect an actress, a private eye, a senator and a witch in 1950s Hollywood.

Witch Hunt - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see the dark magic of 1950s Hollywood come alive:

It's a new kind of evil, as old as time.

Where to Watch Witch Hunt

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Witch Hunt - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Paul Schrader

Main Cast

  • Dennis Hopper
  • Penelope Ann Miller
  • Eric Bogosian
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph
  • Julian Sands
  • Valerie Mahaffey
  • John Epperson
  • Debi Mazar
  • Alan Rosenberg
  • Christopher John Fields

Writers

  • Joseph Dougherty

Producers

  • Gale Anne Hurd
  • Michael R. Joyce

Witch Hunt - FAQs

Is Witch Hunt a sequel to another film?

Yes. Witch Hunt (1994) is a follow-up to Cast a Deadly Spell (1991), another HBO noir-fantasy set in a world where magic is commonplace. Both films feature the hard-boiled detective H. Phillip Lovecraft, though the role was recast from Fred Ward to Dennis Hopper for Witch Hunt.

What is the ending of Witch Hunt explained?

In the finale, Lovecraft unravels a conspiracy linking Hollywood power brokers to black magic and murder. The resolution exposes Senator Crockett's anti-witch crusade as deeply hypocritical, drawing a pointed parallel to McCarthyism. Justice arrives through supernatural means, underscoring the film's satirical message about political persecution and moral corruption.

Where can you watch Witch Hunt (1994)?

Witch Hunt (1994) is an HBO original TV movie. Availability may vary by region and platform. Check JustWatch for the most current streaming, rental, and purchase options in your area, as HBO titles periodically rotate across services.

Who are the main actors in Witch Hunt?

Witch Hunt stars Dennis Hopper as detective H. Phillip Lovecraft, Penelope Ann Miller as actress Kim Hudson, Eric Bogosian as Senator Larson Crockett, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Hypolita Kropotkin, and Julian Sands as the enigmatic warlock Finn Macha.

What is Witch Hunt (1994) about?

Set in an alternate 1950s Hollywood where magic is real and witches face persecution, the film follows private eye H. Phillip Lovecraft as he investigates a murder entangling a glamorous actress, a powerful senator, and a dangerous warlock. It blends noir mystery with sharp political satire.

Who directed Witch Hunt (1994)?

Witch Hunt was directed by Paul Schrader, the acclaimed filmmaker and screenwriter known for Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and American Gigolo. Schrader brought a distinctly stylized, noir-inflected sensibility to this HBO fantasy, replacing Tom Holland who had directed the original Cast a Deadly Spell.

What genre is Witch Hunt (1994)?

Witch Hunt blends TV Movie, Comedy, Fantasy, and Horror genres. At its core it is a noir detective story layered with dark fantasy and satirical comedy. The film uses its supernatural premise to lampoon the Hollywood blacklist era and McCarthyite political persecution of the early 1950s.

Who composed the music for Witch Hunt?

The score for Witch Hunt was composed by Angelo Badalamenti, best known for his long-running collaboration with David Lynch on Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet. His atmospheric, jazz-tinged compositions enhance the film's moody noir aesthetic and its eerie supernatural undertones throughout.

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