Review: The Craft

Starring: Fairuza Balk, Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell, Rachel True
Directed by: Andrew Fleming
Language: English
Rating: R
Running Time: 101 minutes


I know this is a fairly old flick, but it's a bit of a cult classic in my mind. Since I grew up in the wonderful decade of the 90s, this film brings a nostalgic feeling as well as memories of my elementary friends.



Sarah Bailey has a dark past of losing her mother at birth, suicidal tendencies, and hallucinations. Her, her father, and her stepmother move to California to start a new life. Sarah is enrolled in a Catholic prep high school. She has a hard time adjusting as the outcasts of the school giver a bit of a tough time. Bonnie, one of the outcasts, notices her natural powers and recruits her to join the outcasts' coven and journey through the occult. We learn the struggles of these three outcasts: Bonnie is bullied over her scars she acquired from a house fire, Rochelle faces racism from a popular playgirl, and Nancy is abused by her alcoholic mother and stepfather. Once all four girls join together, they learn the advantages and consequences of their strengthened power.

I might be a little blinded by nostalgia, but this movie has a lot of great things to offer. Why is this movie so close to my heart? Well, I went to a Catholic school around the time this movie was released, one of my friends were interested in the occult, and we tried out that whole "light as a feather, stiff as a board" game that actually worked. It has some great moments that are permanently engraved in my mind and at the time Skeet Ulrich was a pretty handsome guy.



So, the actual rituals and such involving witchcraft might be inaccurate, but it seemed believable to those unfamiliar with it. The characters were believable as well and had very distinct personalities that made you love them or hate them. The only thing that didn't seem to fit with these characters are the ages as they really don't look like high school students, but moreso college. Of course, there's hardly anyone who acts their own age in TV shows and movies. There also might be a couple over the top moments too. The director did an amazing job with the budget he was given and the effects are still effective today. This shows in the climax, my favorite part of the movie like the screencap above.

This is very simple little thriller that goes with that high school theme that was really trending in the 90s. If you need a little nostalgia and want to pull together a girls night or something, this is a great film to watch. I know my childhood friends would instantly reminiscent on the good ol' days of our friendship and take a break from our present relationship.


Rating: 4/5


If there's something you want me to review, check out this post on how you can submit requests.