‘Witchboard’ Summons a Enjoyable however Uneven Remake of a Cult Basic

Launched in 1986, the original Witchboard‘s cultural impression lingers largely as a result of it stars Tawny Kitaen—identified extra for being a music-video vixen than an actor. However the stunt casting works: her character’s Ouija board curiosity turns tragic when an evil spirit takes a shine to her, probably lured in by her completely teased hair. The film delivers extra cheese than frights, however you possibly can simply see why it turned a cult traditional.

Much less clear is why Witchboard wanted a remake, particularly one which solely very calmly lifts materials from the unique, however you possibly can’t overlook that catchy title. This new model, which comes from genre favorite Chuck Russell (director of fan-favorite Freddy sequel A Nightmare on Elm Avenue 3: Dream Warriors, in addition to The Masks and The Scorpion King), crams many extra layers into its story, one thing that in the end works in opposition to it. But it surely additionally unleashes some very enjoyable, surprisingly macabre thrives that assist offset its shortcomings.

Any time a horror film begins with a wild historic flashback, you may be sure it should impression no matter’s about to occur within the current day. Particularly if the film is named Witchboard, and the flashback includes a witch vs. hunter face-off and incorporates a extremely distinctive spirit board able to summoning darkish magic. Additionally, if one of many characters in the principle story makes an offhand comment about being an orphan, not realizing something about her actual household, and many others., you can begin quick hypothesis as to which Seventeenth-century character is expounded to her.

Most of Witchboard takes place in New Orleans, a metropolis that lends itself to eerie mischief in addition to restaurant tradition. That intersection is the place we discover Emily (Annabelle Comes Dwelling‘s Madison Iseman) cheering on her fiancé Christian (Aaron Dominguez) as he and his buddies put together to open a brand new cafe. Emily’s lastly feeling optimistic in regards to the future following a stint in rehab, and she or he’s so assured in her relationship she solely recoils a tiny bit when Christian’s glamorous ex, Brooke (Melanie Jarnson), reveals as much as the launch social gathering.

And actually, Brooke—who’s conveniently an skilled on “shamanistic traditions”—proves instantly helpful as soon as Emily reveals her the (extremely distinctive) spirit board she discovered whereas gathering mushrooms for the restaurant. We all know, in fact, that the board was lately stolen from a neighborhood museum on the behest of the sinister Dr. Alexander Babtiste (Stranger Issues‘ Jamie Campbell Bower). However the girls don’t, and on the off likelihood that any horror fan who’s settled in to observe Witchboard doesn’t understand how a spirit board works, Brooke’s there with a fast overview.

With context and exposition out of the best way, Witchboard can dive into the goopy stuff that finally ends up justifying its existence. As soon as Emily begins experimenting with the board, dangerous issues occur, beginning with a fantastically grim kitchen scene that evokes the identical stress the Remaining Vacation spot motion pictures faucet into when organising their elaborate lethal set items.

A later restaurant sequence is such an over-the-top screamer you want Witchboard had absolutely leaned into that outrageous tone. It definitely appears keen; a few of its greatest moments come courtesy of a charismatic stray cat that begins following Emily round. And Bower’s efficiency is so campy it will get in the best way of him being a villain. It is a man who lives in an antiques-filled mansion the place he’s attended to by triplet witches styled like Daenerys Targaryen and throws Eyes Large Shut-style solstice events. He’s friends with Brooke, so he worms his manner into “serving to” an more and more freaked-out Emily and Christian along with his witchy experience and an ulterior motive that’s made clear on the movie’s climax.

Solely, his plan doesn’t make loads of sense. We gained’t spoil the finer factors right here—not that we may clarify them if we wished to—but it surely ties again to that Seventeenth-century conflict and, very similar to the unique Witchboard, threatens the soul of its supernaturally curious main girl. Witchboard additionally presents a complicated strategy to Wicca, drawing a cautious line between “I exploit therapeutic herbs” and “I worship Devil” after which continuing to utterly muddy it.

However perhaps that’s overthinking it. That is Witchboard, in any case. Although the remake gained’t be knocking the unique out of its place within the cult-movie pantheon, a minimum of it retains issues gruesomely entertaining alongside the best way.

Witchboard hits theaters August 15. In the event you want just a little extra hairspray along with your spooks, the 1986 Witchboard can also be streaming on Amazon Prime.

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