Review: The Craft: Legacy

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The Craft: Legacy is another in the ‘fondly’ remembered movies of the 90’s The Craft. Way back in 1996 Neve Campbell, Fairuza Balk, Robin Tunney and Rachel True starred in this modestly popular teen black magic horror/thriller. Now Blumhouse have decided to bring it back as the latest up to date re-working, sequely movie type thing for the post Twilight generation.

The Craft: Legacy has a simple premise. An eclectic foursome of aspiring teenage witches get more than they bargained for as they lean into their newfound powers. Which is basically the same set up as the first. It brings the story to up to date with LBQT+ characters and more socially and politically aware leanings. The young cast are pretty impressive throughout. Cailee Spaeny in particular as Lily, brings some real Carrie type vibes to proceedings which is the glue that holds the main part of the film together. Michelle Monaghan and David Duchovny seem to be simple bystanders picking up a pay cheque. Fortunately, they don’t get much screen time, however that does come with problems in the latter parts of the movie.

However, the cast is not the problem in The Craft: Legacy. The story and character development or lack thereof is. The opening third of the film is fantastic and draws you in, only for it all to fall apart in the final third with no character development, a badly telegraphed villain, who is so badly developed throughout the film, a collective ‘huh’ when all is revealed, leaving gaping plot holes and seemingly a missing chunk of the film that explains how we got to that point. It’s so badly rushed that the good work done by the cast is so undone, that you’ll be unlikely to come back for a sequel despite the ending that clearly is hoping for one.

The thing you have to realise when approaching these films, much like the recently lauded Bette Midler film, Hocus Pocus, when you go back to them, you remember that actually they weren’t that good in the first place and never were. There’s a reason why The Craft never got a sequel back in the 90s. Because it wasn’t as loved as some people seem to remember through those rose tinted glasses.

Still there’s a lot to like in The Craft: Legacy, shame that its overshadowed by poor plotting, development and execution. If Hollywood is insistent that they are going to continue to bring back these old properties such as Flatliners and Halloween, at least make them interesting and watchable. Unfortunately The Craft: Legacy is consigned to join these other failures. Which is a shame as it had a real chance of being something worthwhile.