Hoodoo is a topic that is rarely touched upon in horror movies made by major studios, and it's one of the elements that makes Spell so interesting. The film is the perfect set up for a modern-day horror classic partly because, at its core, it includes a wholly interesting subject that isn't the focus of enough movies. But, unfortunately, the film flounders in the end by taking the easy way out. Despite this, the overall premise and set pieces are memorable enough that the film isn't a total bust.
Spell stars Omari Hardwick as Marquis T. Woods, a wealthy family man who crash lands in rural Appalachia while flying a private jet with his wife and kids to his estranged father's funeral. After the crash, Marquis awakens in the home of Ms. Eloise (Loretta Devine), an older woman who engages in Hoodoo practices. At first, it seems like Eloise wants to help Marquis get back on his feet, but her nefarious intentions start to slowly come to the surface after she presents him with a Boogity, a Hoodoo figure that represents him.
One of the best aspects of the film is how accurate the filmmakers seem to be with the depiction of Hoodoo. All of the terminology appears to be well-researched and handled with care, something Hollywood isn't always concerned with when it comes to representing different cultures. Whenever Eloise is explaining her magic, it feels like the audience is actually getting reliable information on the subject. However, despite this accuracy, the film never dives as deep into the subject as it should.
The middle of the film is very suspenseful and unafraid to push boundaries, which makes it even more disappointing when it plays it safe in its final act. Throughout the movie's runtime, Marquis is subjected to several horrific situations that are equally as unsettling for the audience as they are for him. One scene involving a meal that should never be eaten is the stuff of nightmares and made me believe the movie wouldn't hold back. In its second act, the film is bold and grisly, frequently hinting at what happened to Marquis' absent family. However, when it's time for what should be an epic showdown, we are given a rushed, Hollywood ending that doesn't match-up well with the risk-taking shocker Spell is in its first hour.
It almost feels like the filmmakers set out to make an original horror film that was actually going to deliver something fans of the genre never see, but the studio interfered and pushed for the film to rely more on cliches. The movie teases greatness, but ultimately shies away from taking risks, instead settling for something more expected, which turns it into a bit of a missed opportunity.
Still, the film has some great aspects. For example, most of the actors blow it out of the park, especially Loretta Devine. Devine is a powerhouse in Spell, delivering a dynamic performance that could not have been delivered by anyone else. When Ms. Eloise is first seen on screen, she's charming and witty, like a quirky but kind-hearted soul who just wants to do a good deed. However, Devine's performance is jam-packed with subtle nuances that slowly reveal this sweet woman may not really be so sweet. And when the film reveals Eloise's true intentions, Devine seamlessly switches her demeanor to cold and diabolical.
Although Eloise is a great villain at first glance, there is so much more that could have been explored. With an actor as talented as Devine bringing her to life, there were endless possibilities for this unique character, but in the end, her motivations and her backstory aren't especially well fleshed out. While these things are touched on lightly, in the end, they aren't delved into enough to make the character feel at all nuanced. Instead, she ultimately just comes across as monstrous and evil. For people looking for mindless fun, that may be enough, but for moviegoers wanting more depth, looking elsewhere may be their best bet.
On the plus side, the soundtrack of the movie is effective, providing bone-tingling musical stings when disturbing sequences start to take off. The production design is also sublime. Seeing the Hoodoo elements come alive in the rural environment is nothing short of exhilarating. However, while the film is heavy on story and character in its first two acts, including a strong plot line involving generational trauma, it wraps up as something else entirely: a predictable horror-action spectacle. Nonetheless, Spell is still worth checking out for some strong performances and effective horror sequences.
Directed by Mark Tonderai and written by Kurt Wimmer, Spell stars Omari Hardwick, Loretta Devine and John Beasley. The movie is available on Premium Video-On-Demand and Digital on Friday, Oct. 30.