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Witchboard (2024 film)

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Witchboard
Directed byChuck Russell
Written byChuck Russell
Based onCharacters
by Kevin Tenney
Produced by
  • Chuck Russell
  • Greg Mckay
  • Kaden Vu
  • Bernie Gewissler
  • Julie Lundy
  • Olivier Picard
  • Jean-François Roesler
Starring
Music bySam Ewing
Production
company
A-Nation Media
Distributed byGala Film
Release date
  • July 26, 2024 (2024-07-26) (Fantasia)
Running time
115 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Witchboard is a 2024 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Chuck Russell. It is a remake of the 1986 film and stars Jamie Campbell Bower, Madison Iseman, Aaron Dominguez, Antonia Desplat and Charlie Tahan.

The film had its world premiere at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival on July 26, 2024.

Premise

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Emily, her fiancé Christian, and their group of friends have opened a new organic café in the French Quarter of New Orleans by renovating an old carriage house. However, things take a dark turn when Emily finds an ancient pendulum board that was once used for summoning spirits. Concerned for Emily's well-being, Christian seeks the help of an occult expert named Alexander Babtiste, who has knowledge of the bloodlines that connect them to the witchboard. As events unfold, a modern coven of White Witches, a masked ball at Babtiste's mansion, and the legacy of Naga Soth, the Queen of Witches, all become part of a dangerous game that puts Emily's soul in peril.[2]

Cast

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Production

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In 2017, Chuck Russell became attached to write the script for a remake of the 1986 film Witchboard.[6] It was reported in May 2019, that he would also direct the film and it would be produced by Grimmfest, in partnership with Minds Eye Entertainment, Falconer Pictures and M2 Media Post.[7]

In March 2023, pre-production restarted with A-Nation Media replacing the previous production studios.[2] Principal photography took place in Montreal and New Orleans from April to June 2023.[8][9] Some scenes were shot in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue at Morgan Arboretum in late May.[10] The production was granted an interim agreement allowing the actors to continue working on the film during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[11]

Release

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Witchboard had its world premiere at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival on July 26, 2024.[1][12] Gala Film has US distribution rights.[3]

Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 6 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.3/10.[13]

Josh Korngut writing for Dread Central gave the film a four out of five rating, writing that "although its plot unravels a smidge in the final act, and its runtime is about 20 minutes longer than I would've recommended, these few blemishes somehow only add to the film's overall charm and commitment to the bit."[14] Joe Lipsett of Bloody Disgusting gave the film a two and a half out of five rating, summarizing that "it's messy and uneven, scattered in both narrative and performance, but fun enough to lightly recommend."[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Witchboard". Fantasia International Film Festival. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 31, 2023). "Stranger Things Jamie Campbell Bower Set By Helmer Chuck Russell For Witchboard Remake". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Navarro, Meagan (July 22, 2023). "Witchboard – New Trailer for Remake Teases Chuck Russell's Return to Horror". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Grobar, Matt (May 1, 2023). "Witchboard: Madison Iseman, Aaron Dominguez, Antonia Desplat & Charlie Tahan Join Jamie Campbell Bower In Chuck Russell's Remake". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e Lipsett, Joe (July 29, 2024). "'Witchboard' Is a Messy, Occasionally Fun Remake [Fantasia Review]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  6. ^ Hamman, Cody (May 13, 2019). "Dream Warriors' Chuck Russell to direct a remake of Witchboard". JoBlo. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  7. ^ Dalton, Ben (May 10, 2019). "UK's Grimmfest launches horror production company (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  8. ^ "What's Shooting". ACTRA Montreal. March 29, 2023. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  9. ^ Deckelmeier, Joe (August 1, 2023). "SDCC 2023: Witchboard Director Chuck Russell On Revisiting A Classic Horror Movie". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  10. ^ Massad, Rhonda (May 28, 2023). "Remake of Witchboard movie shooting at the Morgan Arboretum". West Island News. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  11. ^ Hipes, Patrick (August 16, 2023). "SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreements: Full List Of Movies And TV Series". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  12. ^ Navarro, Meagan (May 9, 2024). "Fantasia 2024 First Wave of Programming Includes Found Footage 'Shelby Oaks', 'Witchboard' Remake, and More". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  13. ^ "Witchboard". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Korngut, Josh (July 27, 2024). "Witchboard Is A Wicked-Fun And Expertly Made Horror Throwback From The Director Of 'Elm Street 3' [Fantasia 2024 Review]". Dread Central. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
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