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The Craft (R, 1996)

common sense media says

Campy teen witch thriller more violent than fun.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this teen Wiccan movie with attractive stars is really about violence and revenge. Several of the characters die graphically, are threatened with death, or are the subject of a death plot. One character is almost raped on-screen. The film also depicts one family with alcoholic, abusive parents. Wiccan and occult practices, real and imagined, are on display in a way that may seem cool to teens. Also, even though this looks like a girl-power movie, it's quite the opposite. It makes it look like the girls are to blame for the things they've been through -- the moral that what you do comes back 10-fold seems to indicate that they should just shut up and take whatever happens to them.

Positive messages: One character abuses Rochelle because she's black, saying, "I don't like negroids." There's lots of revenge and cruelty on all sides.
Violence: A lot of imagined and "real" violence: People are stabbed repeatedly, electrocuted, almost raped, and fall from windows and die. A man gets hit by a truck (his head and body are visible under the tires), and a married couple has a physical fight. Sarah tried to slit her wrists and has scars from it. Bonnie experiences a painful medical procedure involving a large needle. The girls all prick their fingers and put blood in a cup along with wine.
Sex: Lots of talk about getting laid and veiled references to STDs. Sarah kisses Chris and later he spreads a rumor about her being bad in bed even though they didn't have sex. Nancy masquerades as Sarah and has sex with Chris. Bonnie sits shirtless covered by a blanket. Only her back is exposed.
Language: Some swearing, including "hell," "bitch," "asshole," "s--t," "f--k," and "ass."
Consumerism: A bus has an ad for Benetton. The girls watch an episode of Bewitched.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: All the teens drink beer and liquor and smoke lots of cigarettes.
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More on The Craft

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about religion: Some consider Wicca to be a way to worship the Earth. What do you think? How does it compare with other conventional religions?

What's the story?

What's the story?
This is a sinister tale of teenage power and witchcraft. Sarah (Robin Tunney) is new to St. Benedict's Academy in L.A. and looking for friends when Bonnie (Neve Campbell) decides she's the perfect choice for her witch's coven. Soon, Sarah, Bonnie, Rochelle (Rachel True) and ringleader Nancy (Fairuza Balk) are casting spells to get even with their high school nemeses. But their spells begin backfiring in dangerous and disturbing ways, and Sarah, the only "natural witch" in the bunch, must protect herself and those she loves from this power she's unleashed.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
What's odd about The Craft is its sneaking moral: It's supposed to warn girls against resentment and revenge, encouraging them to "do unto others as they would have done unto them," as Wiccan mentor Lirio (Assumpta Serna) says. That's all well and good, but there's also a blame-the-victim mentality here. So they'll get back what they have sown three-fold. Does that mean that Sarah deserves to be raped? Does that mean that Nancy, arguably the most damaged from an abusive childhood, deserves to be locked up? Does the epic battle between Nancy and Sarah really mean that there can only be one Queen Bee, one mean girl? Should they have stood up for themselves in some other way, or simply acquiesced to the abuse around them? These are questions teen viewers should consider.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Sony Pictures
Director: Andrew Fleming
Cast: Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True, Robin Tunney, Skeet Ulrich
Genre: Horror
Run time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release: July 24, 1996
DVD release: September 12, 2000
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: some terror and violence, and for brief language
This review was written by Heather Boerner
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

SACYUC
teen, 15 years old
12
 
Let your 12 year old`s watch this
It`s a very good film. Nothing that a 12 year old can´t handle.
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (7)
SirenStar
adult
14
 
Great movie, mature themes.
Yes, there are drugs, drinking, sexual content, and violence in this movie. I rated it 14 and up because, unless the kid is home-schooled, every 14 year old has seen or heard of everything that goes on that is real in this movie, regardless of whether a parent thinks so or not. This movie shouldn't be a problem for a 14 year old as long as they know what behavior is acceptable and what is not in their home and society.
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (7) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (8)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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