The 90s Witch Film That Meant More Than Looking Cool
Nerdy Up North
The setup
New student Sarah falls in with Nancy, Bonnie and Rochelle, three girls fascinated by witchcraft who believe Sarah can complete their circle. Their spells begin working, giving each of them something they desperately wanted, but the consequences grow darker as Nancy becomes obsessed with power.
The Craft is easy to remember for the clothes, the music and four girls walking towards the camera looking unbelievably cool, but there is a lot more going on underneath that 90s surface.
Each of the girls is carrying something real. Nancy is living in poverty with an abusive man in the house. Bonnie is ashamed of her scars. Rochelle is dealing with racist bullying. Sarah arrives carrying grief and her own problems. The witchcraft works because it gives these girls the feeling that for once they can actually do something about what is happening to them.
Fairuza Balk absolutely owns the film as Nancy. There is no gentle slide into becoming unhinged, once she gets a taste of real power you can see how much she needs it. The performance is huge but it fits the film. She is scary, funny and magnetic enough that you understand why the others follow her even when it is obvious things are going too far.
Rachel True gives Rochelle more warmth than the film really allows her to have. Her storyline is one of the strongest ideas in the movie because the person tormenting her is openly racist and the film does not pretend that is some harmless school rivalry. It is frustrating knowing there was more material for Rochelle that never made it into the finished film.
Neve Campbell also gets a nice change through Bonnie. Once her scars disappear, all that insecurity suddenly flips into confidence and then vanity. It is not exactly subtle, but it makes sense. Someone who has spent years trying not to be noticed suddenly discovers what it feels like to have people looking at her for a completely different reason.
Sarah is where I struggle a little more. Robin Tunney has to be the grounded centre of the story, but compared with the other three performances she can feel flat. The wig does not help either. Once you notice that hairline it becomes difficult not to notice it every single time she is on screen.
The film still looks great in plenty of places. The practical effects have held up much better than some of the digital work, and the beach ritual has the atmosphere that made an entire generation of teenagers think they could probably pull this off at a sleepover. The fashion has arguably lasted even better than the effects. The skirts, boots, cardigans, chokers and coats became as much a part of The Craft as any spell.
What makes it last, though, is that it takes teenage problems seriously. Abuse, racism, insecurity, grief, sex, coercion and friendship are not treated like silly little things that only matter because these characters are young. The supernatural stuff makes it fun, but those problems are why the film still connects.
Positives
Fairuza Balk is brilliant, strong 90s style and soundtrack, serious teenage issues are treated with weight, great practical effects, Rachel True and Neve Campbell both have memorable arcs.
Negatives
Some CGI has aged badly, Sarah can feel flat beside the other three leads, the film underuses Rochelle and the treatment of Rachel True behind the scenes leaves a sour note.
Verdict
The Craft is more than a cool 90s witch movie. It gave teenage girls messy, serious problems and let them be angry about them. It is imperfect and some parts have aged better than others, but the characters, fashion and sense of danger still have a hold on people for a reason.
