Häxan
“But isn’t superstition still rampant among us?”
Synopsis
Grave robbing, torture, possessed nuns, and a satanic Sabbath: Benjamin Christensen's legendary film uses a series of dramatic vignettes to explore the scientific hypothesis that the witches of the Middle Ages suffered the same hysteria as turn-of-the-century psychiatric patients. But the film itself is far from serious-- instead it's a witches' brew of the scary, gross, and darkly humorous.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Streaming Review: Haxan: Witchcraft through the ages.
Type: Featurette • Published 2023-11-03
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Benjamin Christensen
Devil
Ella La Cour
Karna / Sorceress
Emmy Schønfeld
Karna's Assistant
Kate Fabian
Old Maid
Oscar Stribolt
Fat Monk
Wilhelmine Henriksen
Apelone / A Poor Old Woman
Elisabeth Christensen
Anna's Mother
Astrid Holm
Anna
Karen Winther
Anna's Sister
Maren Pedersen
Maria the Weaver / A Witch
Johannes Andersen
Pater Henrik / Witch Judge
Elith Pio
Johannes / Witch Judge
Aage Hertel
Witch Judge
Ib Schønberg
Witch Judge
Holst Jørgensen
Peter Titta
Clara Pontoppidan
Sister Cecilia / Nun
Else Vermehren
Flagellating Nun
Alice O'Fredericks
Nun
Release History & Theatrical Window
May 27, 1929
Wide Cinema Exhibition
June 15, 2021
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$220K
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
Pending
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Benjamin Christensen
- Screenplay & Story
- Benjamin Christensen
- Original Score
- Ludwig van Beethoven, Launy Grøndahl
- Original Title
- Häxan
- Country of Origin
- Sweden
- Spoken Languages
- No Language
- Runtime
- 1h 45m
- Production Budget
- $220K
- Production Studios
- Aljosha Production Company, SF Studios
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Benjamin Christensen
Benjamin Christensen
Ludwig van Beethoven, Launy Grøndahl
Johan Ankerstjerne
Edla Hansen
Department Leadership Roster
Benjamin Christensen
Director
Benjamin Christensen
Writer
Johan Ankerstjerne
Director of Photography
Edla Hansen
Editor
Launy Grøndahl
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Tous publics — Universal audience.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Häxan.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Häxan.
Movie Collection
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (All editions 2003-2024). A cumulative list including films subsequently removed in later editions. Totaling 1,260 films as of Nov 2024. 《1001部死前必看的电影》（2003-2024 全版本累积版）： 包含自2003年首版至2024年11月德语版修订的所有影片。即使在后期版本中被剔除的电影也予以保留。 *注：榜单源数据中包含部分剧集/迷你剧，由于本片单只收录纯电影，故不再收录以下非电影条目：* • [#019] Lovers Rock (2020) • [#418] Dekalog (1989) *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-18 07:40:36 UTC+8)*
Letterboxd's Top 250 Documentary Films
Letterboxd's official Top 250 documentary feature films, ranked by average member rating. Letterboxd 官方 Top 250 最佳纪录长片榜单： 根据平台用户的平均评分进行排序的纪录长片精选榜单。 *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-18 07:36:46 UTC+8)*
Limelight Not Seen
Criterion Collection
The Complete Criterion Collection. The Criterion Collection is a video distribution company that sells 'important classic and contemporary films' in editions that offer the highest technical quality. This list contains only the featured films released on DVD, BluRay and 4K Criterion releases — no supplements are included. Organized by spine number with the newest releases first. CC标准收藏完整收录版： 收录标准收藏（Criterion Collection）发行的重要经典及当代电影。仅包含正片（涵盖 DVD、蓝光及 4K 版本），已排除花絮补充内容。按 CC 发行编号倒序排列（最新发行在前）。 *注：榜单源数据中包含部分剧集/迷你剧，由于本片单只收录纯电影，故不再收录以下非电影条目：* • [#214] Mangrove (2020) • [#215] Lovers Rock (2020) • [#216] Red, White and Blue (2020) • [#217] Alex Wheatle (2020) • [#486] Eight Hours Don’t Make a Day (1972) • [#647] Dekalog (1989) • [#944] World on a Wire (1973) • [#1187] Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) • [#1338] Fanny and Alexander (1984) • [#1341] Tanner '88 (1988) • [#1371] Scenes from a Marriage (1973) *注：以下影片因 TMDB 尚未收录，暂不在此片单中展示：* • [#531] First (2012) • [#1699] Ulysse (1983) *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-11 07:39:08 UTC+8)*
Movies - Horror
Similar Titles to Häxan
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
5.8
6.2
6.7
5.5
5.7
7.5
4.1
5.8
6.0
5.9
7.1
6.7
7.5
6.9
6.0
6.7
More Like Häxan
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About Häxan
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Häxan about?
Grave robbing, torture, possessed nuns, and a satanic Sabbath: Benjamin Christensen's legendary film uses a series of dramatic vignettes to explore the scientific hypothesis that the witches of the Middle Ages suffered the same hysteria as turn-of-the-century psychiatric patients. But the film itself is far from serious-- instead it's a witches' brew of the scary, gross, and darkly humorous.
Who directed Häxan?
Häxan was directed by Benjamin Christensen.
Who stars in Häxan?
The principal cast of Häxan includes Benjamin Christensen, Ella La Cour, Emmy Schønfeld, Kate Fabian, Oscar Stribolt.
When was Häxan released and how long is it?
Häxan was released in 1922 with a total runtime of 1h 45m.
Who composed the musical score for Häxan?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Häxan was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, Launy Grøndahl.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Häxan?
Häxan holds official age classifications: FR: U (Tous publics — Universal audience.).