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Parents' Guide to

The Craft

By Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Campy teen witch thriller more violent than fun.

Movie R 1996 101 minutes
The Craft Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 12 parent reviews

Amanda78664
Amanda78664 Adult
September 15, 2019
age 14+

The CSM reviewer lacks the knowledge to properly review

What an ugly review by CSM!!! First of all, it would serve you holier than thou people right if wiccans started a review site being ugly about Christian movies like the trainwreck Passion of the Christ. These girls are not practicing Wicca. They are practicing dark magic and there is a big difference! Wiccans believe in not harming others. You really need to educate yourselves. That being said, this movie is pretty mild for being rated R. People do die but not graphically. Not much is shown. It's a good movie, full of lessons about revenge, messing with things people don't understand, finding our inner strength, and how power can go to some people's heads. It's a good movie but likely not suitable for younger children.
4 people found this helpful.
ArchCody
ArchCody Adult
August 23, 2021
age 15+

Enjoyable.

Was a good fun movie that was well written and good special effects for the time done acting was good too and girls lovely.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
2 people found this helpful.
See all 12 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (12 ):
Kids say (20 ):

What's odd about this chilling and ominous tale 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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Movie Details

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