Laplace's Witch (2018)

Laplace’s Witch is the kind of mystery that hooks you with a deliciously brainy premise: take something as clinical as environmental forensics and let it bloom into a question that feels almost supernatural, but insists on being solved with reason. Its best quality is the idea itself—murders that may not be murders, a pattern that may not be a pattern, and a young woman who seems to drift through the evidence like a paradox—giving the film a cool, inquisitive vibe that rewards viewers who like their crime stories tinged with science-fiction unease. The pacing has an “interesting” steadiness, more methodical than flashy, as it leans into atmosphere and deduction rather than action. It’s not for everyone—especially if you want constant twists or emotional fireworks—but if you’re on the fence and crave a thoughtful, slightly eerie procedural with an audacious central concept, it’s worth stepping into its fog.

Laplace’s Witch is clearly aiming for a smart, science-tinged mystery about whether “impossible” deaths can be explained by logic, and it wants you to enjoy the puzzle more than the thrills. The problem is it often feels like it’s talking at you instead of pulling you in, with heavy exposition, a sluggish pace, and tension that rarely builds into anything truly gripping. The plot leans into far-fetched turns that may test your patience if you want grounded crime storytelling or sharp, escalating suspense. If you’re happy with a moody, talky procedural and don’t mind a slow burn that prioritizes ideas over adrenaline, there are intriguing concepts and a few atmospheric moments to appreciate.