30 Years Later, There's Still No Better Movie About Teen Witches – And Its 57% on RT Is a Crime
It's one of the best films about coming of age and magic that definitely deserves your attention.
The Craft, a dark, stylish story about four outcast high school girls who decide to use magic to change their lives, was released in 1996.
The movie instantly became a cult classic among teens but received a lukewarm reception from critics. An exploration of growing up, trauma, and the dark side of desire, The Craft remains the definitive film about teenage witches, bold and honest in its portrayal, even 30 years later.
What Is 'The Craft' About?
After her mother commits suicide, high school student Sarah moves to a new town. She quickly befriends three misfits: Nancy, Bonnie, and Rochelle. Together, they decide to perform an ancient ritual to summon Manon, a spirit who can grant them magical powers.
The girls soon gain abilities and begin to seek revenge on those who have wronged them: a school bully, a teacher, and a boy who raped a friend. However, power becomes intoxicating, and the trio begins to use magic for evil.
Sarah is the only one who retains her sanity and tries to stop her friends before their desires destroy them.
'The Craft' Was Ahead of Its Time, Transcending the Typical Depiction of Evil Witches
The Craft was released amid a resurgence of interest in the occult in cinema, but it transcended mere entertainment. It's not only a horror movie about witches, it's also a film about female strength, trauma, and the ease with which one can lose oneself when gaining power.
Each character struggles with their own pain: Nancy deals with an abusive stepfather, Bonnie with an illness, Rochelle with racism, and Sarah with the death of her mother. They turn to magic in an attempt to heal, but it only deepens their wounds.
Nancy's storyline, in which she loses control and becomes obsessed with power, is especially powerful.
'The Craft' Influenced Pop Culture in the 90s & Remains Relevant Today
The Craft had a huge impact on pop culture – it foreshadowed shows like Charmed, but it remained darker and more realistic.
The movie also marked a milestone for actresses. Neve Campbell, Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, and Rachel True created iconic characters – their heroines are complex and conflicted women trying to find their place in the world.
Thirty years later, The Craft remains relevant – it addresses bullying, trauma, and the search for identity as honestly as it did in 1996.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Craft'?
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The Craft has 57% from critics and 65% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.5/10.
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On Letterboxd, The Craft scored 3.6/5.0.
Where to Watch 'The Craft'?
The Craft is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.
