Witchboard (2025) - Film Review

      Witchboard, 2025.

      Directed by Chuck Russell.

      Featuring Madison Iseman, Aaron Dominguez, Melanie Jarnson, Charlie Tahan, Antonia Desplat, Jamie Campbell Bower, David La Haye, Victoria Lenhardt, Jamal Azémar, Riley Russell, Kade Vu, Renee Herbert, Elisha Herbert, Chiara Fossati, Francesco Filice, Simon Anthony, Kent McQuaid, Shawn Baichoo, Laura Paolillo, Dakota Jamal Wellman, Noah Parker, Alex Gravenstein, Marc-André Boulanger, and Kerrin Cochrane.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A cursed Witchboard unleashes dark forces, pulling a young couple into a perilous game of possession and deceit.

      Long before Ouija boards became popular, pendulum boards existed, and before the likes of Mike Flanagan and Zach Cregger, there was Chuck Russell, returning to the horror genre with the engaging Witchboard (in his signature style, reminiscent of works like The Mask and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors). Initial skepticism may arise given his recent string of poor low-budget action films starring John Travolta, leading one to think this would amount to a standard slasher centered around a board that one would presume people should be wary of. While the film does embody some of that, it introduces a twist that intertwines a 1600s backstory relevant to the present, alongside a sinister revenge plot and possession scenes that prioritize creativity over relying on serious trauma or worn-out jump scares.

      The narrative follows a group of close-knit young adults on the brink of starting a restaurant together. Emily (Madison Iseman) stumbles upon the titular board in the woods and can't resist taking it home due to its antique charm. As a recovering drug addict with an addictive personality, she quickly becomes captivated by the board, learning how to use it from her boyfriend Christian’s (Aaron Dominguez) ex-girlfriend Brooke (Melanie Jarnson), who has a supernatural curiosity. When the board helps her locate a lost ring given to her by Christian, her obsession deepens, but it comes at a cost: finding an object leads to the loss of a friend. The more Emily plays with the board (despite Christian's repeated caution to stop), the more it changes her personality in unforeseen ways, largely for entertainment rather than serious character development.

      The film opens with an extensive prologue revealing the board's origins, depicting the wrongful accusation of witchcraft and the burning of the medicinal expert Naga Soth (Antonia Desplat) by an angry mob. Co-written by Chuck Russell and Greg McKay, based on a screenplay by Kevin Tenney, the film cleverly employs nightmarish sequences to create visual flair while unraveling the backstory surrounding that event. Simultaneously, a wealthy witchcraft enthusiast, Alexander Babtiste (Jamie Campbell Bower), discovers that his henchmen failed to steal the pendulum board from a local museum (which explains its presence in the woods) and will go to any lengths to secure it for his rituals.

      Cleverly, Witchboard exhibits sufficient self-awareness to make it clear that viewers shouldn't be overly concerned about these cardboard characters (there's relief when it's evident that past relationships won't lead to needless arguments). The film focuses on its outrageous plot while allowing enough exploration of character backgrounds to convey a coherent story amidst the chaos. This might be more than the film necessitates, but it doesn't hinder it.

      The kills also carry a sadistic yet entertaining tone, including one instance where the board unexpectedly curses someone who truly deserves it. The interactions with the board and the historical context even introduce a cat into the mix who gets involved in the mayhem. In its second half, the film not only explores more witchcraft but also leans into another genre, which deserves praise for its enjoyment, light ambition, and smooth transition. There is a slight disappointment that the historical segments could have been developed further, but mild aspirations in a low-budget horror movie are still commendable.

      At close to 2 hours, some content could have been trimmed, and the flashback narrative is less developed and satisfying compared to the contemporary storyline (which is somewhat frustrating since they are connected). Nevertheless, Witchboard successfully integrates humor into supernatural horror and action, ensuring it seldom feels dull, if not necessarily frightening. Fear isn't the primary focus; Chuck Russell aims to put his characters through a uniquely hellish experience, oscillating between tones like the swinging of a pendulum board.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder