The Craft
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to The Craft
The Craft is a 1996 American supernatural horror film centered on four outcast teenage girls who discover and hone their witchcraft abilities. Set in a Los Angeles parochial high school, the narrative explores themes of adolescent nonconformity, female empowerment, and the corrupting influence of power as the girls initially use magic for personal gain but face increasingly dire consequences. The film blends drama and horror elements, delving into dark occult practices and intense psychological struggles. It garnered mixed critical reviews upon release but has since achieved cult status, resonating with audiences for its portrayal of outsider experiences and its exploration of teenage angst through a supernatural lens.
Things to Consider
Violence
The Craft features significant and at times graphic violence, often with supernatural elements, leading to severe consequences for the characters. The violence includes physical altercations, magically induced harm, and scenes depicting self-harm and attempted sexual assault.
Chris Hooker, a popular jock, is magically struck and killed by a car after harassing Sarah, an event the girls believe their combined will caused. During the film's climax, Nancy slashes Sarah's wrists and magically conjures a suicide note in Sarah's handwriting to frame her. Additionally, Chris's obsession with Sarah, induced by a love spell, turns violent, culminating in his attempt to rape her.
Romance and Sexual Content
The film contains mature romantic and sexual themes, including implied sexual acts, seduction, and attempted sexual assault. These elements are central to the plot's progression and the misuse of the girls' powers.
Profanity
The Craft includes frequent strong language and profanity throughout its runtime. The dialogue reflects the rebellious and angsty nature of the teenage characters.
Witchcraft & Occult
Witchcraft and occult practices are the central themes of The Craft. The film explicitly depicts rituals, spellcasting, and the invocation of supernatural entities, portraying these practices as a source of significant power and negative repercussions.
Scary & Intense Content
The Craft contains significant scary and intense content, including supernatural horror elements, psychological terror, and disturbing imagery. This contributes to the film's R-rating and its overall dark tone.
Anti-Christian Themes
The film contains explicit anti-Christian themes, particularly through its positive portrayal of witchcraft and direct challenges to Christian theological concepts. Set in a Catholic school, the narrative often presents witchcraft as an alternative, powerful spiritual path.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
The Craft (1996) is recommended for viewers aged 16 and older. The film contains strong themes of witchcraft and occultism, graphic violence including attempted sexual assault and suicide, frequent strong language, and mature sexual content. While exploring themes of empowerment, its dark tone and explicit content make it unsuitable for younger teens.
Good to Know
The Craft (1996) is a dark exploration of power and consequences, often using the supernatural as a metaphor for adolescent struggles. Its sequel, The Craft: Legacy (2020), while featuring similar themes, is rated PG-13 and considered less violent and more 'socially aware', including explicit LGBTQ representation, such as a bisexual male character and an openly transgender female character. Parents should note the original film's intense psychological elements and the explicit nature of some of its mature themes.
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