Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Woke witches in progressive update with language, sexuality.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Craft: Legacy
What's the Story?
In THE CRAFT: LEGACY, Lily (Cailee Spaeny) moves to a new town with her mom (Michelle Monaghan) to live with Adam (David Duchovny) and his three sons. Lily is befriended by three classmates who ask her to join their coven, but their freshly discovered powers quickly get out of hand.
Is It Any Good?
Today's socially, politically aware teens are likely to enjoy this progressive update of the coven classic that '90s kids grew up with. Writer-director Zoe Lister-Jones offers examples of positive, diverse representation -- including a transgender girl and a bisexual boy -- and uses the film to explore identity politics. Many Gen Z'ers are already talking about all of this stuff with each other, and it's great that Lister-Jones is tapping into that. However, similarly to how main character Lily uses telekinesis to invisibly shove a bully into a wall, The Craft: Legacy's updates/improvements are made with such force that they can feel like a jolt, drawing your attention to the action rather than the outcome.
As a key example, Lily's intended future stepfather, Adam (David Duchovny), is a self-help guru in the realm of the so-called crisis of masculinity. Lister-Jones draws a line in the sand here: Old white males bad, younger generation good ... unless they're being indoctrinated by old white males. In creating a character who will likely inspire many younger viewers to double down on their antipathy toward middle-aged white men, Lister-Jones' noble effort comes off a bit too much like a caricature. For many adults, it might almost feel like satire. But for teens, it will come across more as empowering encouragement that they're the ones who need to light our sociocultural beliefs and institutions on fire and watch them burn.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the identity issues addressed in The Craft: Legacy. What examples of diversity and inclusion did you notice? Do you think teens are more accepting than adults of others' differences?
How is this movie similar to and different from the original The Craft?
What does the movie have to say about women finding community and support with one another? Why is that important to see in media? Is it typical to see that in the movies?
How do the friends demonstrate teamwork and self-control? Why are those important character strengths?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 28, 2020
- Cast : Cailee Spaeny , Michelle Monaghan , David Duchovny
- Director : Zoe Lister-Jones
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic elements, crude and sexual content, language and brief drug material
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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