The Craft (1996) - Empowering Fantasy Drama with Four Fascinating Female Characters - 7/10 (03/02/22)

The Craft is much more of a fantasy drama than an actual horror movie. Despite a lack of scary scenes, the movie convinces with its four intriguing lead characters incarnated by four excellent young actresses.

The story is quickly told. Suicidal teenager Sarah comes to town and meets three teenage outcasts at her high school. The four teenage girls are interested in witchcraft and start experimenting with it. First, they use their magical powers to prevent bullying but they push the boundaries further with every ritual. Soon enough, people are dying and conflicts arise between the four friends.

This movie convinces with its four intriguing lead characters. Sarah is a calm, mysterious and suicidal girl who becomes more courageous, passionate and resilient as the movie progresses. Nancy is a fragile character who hides her sadness under thick layers of make-up and gothic clothing as well as an arrogant attitude as she tries to find problems to solve her personal issues. Bonnie suffers from a lack of self-confidence due to burn scars covering her arms and back as she wishes to become more beautiful. Rochelle has to face racism and bullying during her high diving exercises.

The four lead actresses make a good movie out of an at best average concept. Robin Tunney incarnates the tormented protagonist very well and has an aura of fragility and mystery about her. Neve Campbell portrays a teenage girl obsessed with beauty and popularity splendidly. Rachel True plays the resilient student who faces bullying and racism in her everyday life with much charisma. Fairuza Balk however truly steals the show and convinces as arrogant but attractive gothic girl who is spiralling out of control with her extreme behaviour.

At the end of the day, The Craft might be an average horror film but a great fantasy drama. While the story is by the numbers, the acting performances and characters are truly inspiring. It's great to see four diverse teenage girls as protagonists of this movie which helps women identify with these characters and all other audiences learn more about the realities of female high school students. From this perspective, The Craft was certainly ahead of its time and has aged very well.