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

Launched in 1986, the original Witchboard‘s cultural influence lingers largely as a result of it stars Tawny Kitaen—recognized 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, presumably lured in by her completely teased hair. The film delivers extra cheese than frights, however you may simply see why it turned a cult basic.

Much less clear is why Witchboard wanted a remake, particularly one which solely very flippantly lifts materials from the unique, however you may’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 Road 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. Nevertheless it 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 is going to influence no matter’s about to occur within the current day. Particularly if the film known as Witchboard, and the flashback includes a witch vs. hunter face-off and encompasses 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 understanding something about her actual household, and so on., 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 Residence‘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), exhibits as much as the launch celebration.

And in reality, Brooke—who’s conveniently an professional on “shamanistic traditions”—proves instantly helpful as soon as Emily exhibits her the (extremely distinctive) spirit board she discovered whereas gathering mushrooms for the restaurant. We all know, after all, 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 ladies don’t, and on the off probability 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 way in which, 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 rigidity the Ultimate Vacation spot films faucet into when organising their elaborate lethal set items.

A later restaurant sequence is such an over-the-top screamer you would like Witchboard had totally leaned into that outrageous tone. It definitely appears keen; a few of its finest 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 way in which of him being a villain. This can be 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 Broad Shut-style solstice events. He’s buddies with Brooke, so he worms his approach into “serving to” an more and more freaked-out Emily and Christian together with his witchy experience and an ulterior motive that’s made clear on the movie’s climax.

Solely, his plan doesn’t make lots of sense. We gained’t spoil the finer factors right here—not that we might clarify them if we wished to—nevertheless it ties again to that Seventeenth-century conflict and, very similar to the unique Witchboard, threatens the soul of its supernaturally curious main woman. 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 fully muddy it.

However possibly that’s overthinking it. That is Witchboard, in spite of everything. Although the remake gained’t be knocking the unique out of its place within the cult-movie pantheon, no less than it retains issues gruesomely entertaining alongside the way in which.

Witchboard hits theaters August 15. If you happen to want a bit of extra hairspray along with your spooks, the 1986 Witchboard can also be streaming on Amazon Prime.

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