Baba Yaga is a witch rooted in Slavic folklore. According to legend, she lives in a magical hut deep in the forest, where she may help, imprison, or even eat those who cross her path, with children often among her victims. One of the most famous figures in Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga is also associated with guarding the fountains of the waters of life and is sometimes interpreted as a symbol of female empowerment and independence. Viewers may recognize an iteration of the folklore figure from Studio Ghibli’s cult-classic Spirited Away.Neither a straightforward villain nor a traditional hero, Baba Yaga defies easy categorization, making her the inspiration for AMC+’s newest thriller, Yaga.

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