What Practical Effects Make 'Witchboard' So Exciting According to Chuck Russell?
You’ll be amazed at the hands-on stunts and magical scenes.
Thursday was an absolute blessing for Chuck Russell (The Mask, The Blob, Eraser) fans. The legendary director was generous, answering questions in a Reddit AMA, and one about his new project, Witchboard, immediately caught my eye.
As someone who loves behind-the-scenes details, I was hooked from the first line. The AMA revealed insights into practical effects, stunts, and the immersive world Russell is creating in Witchboard, making it clear why this horror project is already generating buzz.
Practical Effects Magic in Witchboard
One question that really caught my eye asked about the practical effects in Witchboard and which ones Chuck Russell was most proud of or excited to reveal.
The director didn’t hold back:
"Yes! The bedroom scene with Madison Isemen you get a glimpse of in the trailer. Multiple hands explode up out of her bed and drag her into our witch’s world. An all practical real-time event with a dozen puppeteers grabbing her from below.
I had to build the bedroom and bathroom set 8 feet in the air. The drag-down of Madison into the bathtub required a dunk-tank and stuntmen breathing with oxygen tanks beneath her. Props to Madison who was always ready for 'take two.'"
Reading this made me even more excited for Witchboard. The fact that all of this is practical, real-time magic, not CGI, gives the movie a tactile, immersive feel.
Considering the logistics — eight-foot sets, a dozen puppeteers, dunk tanks, stuntmen on oxygen — the scale of this scene alone makes it clear that Witchboard will be a technical and cinematic marvel.
Why This Witchboard Scene Stands Out
Knowing this sequence is fully practical makes every second in the trailer feel even more impressive. This kind of filmmaking highlights craft, precision, and the bravery of actors like Madison Isemen.
As a fan, I can’t wait to see the full movie and experience the witch’s world Russell has created. Witchboard promises a mix of suspense, horror, and practical magic that makes it one of the most anticipated films in the genre this year.
