203 reviews
Some people compare Spell with Misery and I get it for the fact that a guy is being held in a bed, with a foot injury, but other than that the comparison just ends. Misery is some much better, with so much more suspense and better actors. That said Spell isn't bad, there is a fair amount of suspense, but the story is just not that believable because of some scenes. A man with his injuries couldn't do what he did, that's just a fact, and those kind of little details bring the quality of a story down. The acting was decent, so no complaints about that. If you're not too picky about details and just want to enjoy a bit of suspenseful entertainment Spell is worth a watch. It will just never be a classic like Misery though.
- deloudelouvain
- Jan 8, 2021
- Permalink
Does this film bring anything new to the horror genre? No. It absolutely doesn't but I still liked it.
A lot of people are hating on this because it is nothing new but hey, don't you already know this going into it? I did so, I totally didn't care. I was ready to see the same ol' horror flick with some hoodoo magic and that was what I got.
The actors are good and it is an almost entirely African American cast. Our two main characters are played by Omari Hardwick and Loretta Devine. These folks know how to act. If you wanna complain about something they've done fine but don't knock them in this because they carried the entire film.
I personally enjoyed this little twist of a Misery-like film. If you don't think you want to see something like it, don't watch it. If you think it sounds interesting, go for it. It's not gonna knock your socks off but it has a few cringe worthy moments with great performances from our two lead characters. in all honesty, these other reviewers just sound a bit jaded rather than being willing to give credit where credit is due.
A lot of people are hating on this because it is nothing new but hey, don't you already know this going into it? I did so, I totally didn't care. I was ready to see the same ol' horror flick with some hoodoo magic and that was what I got.
The actors are good and it is an almost entirely African American cast. Our two main characters are played by Omari Hardwick and Loretta Devine. These folks know how to act. If you wanna complain about something they've done fine but don't knock them in this because they carried the entire film.
I personally enjoyed this little twist of a Misery-like film. If you don't think you want to see something like it, don't watch it. If you think it sounds interesting, go for it. It's not gonna knock your socks off but it has a few cringe worthy moments with great performances from our two lead characters. in all honesty, these other reviewers just sound a bit jaded rather than being willing to give credit where credit is due.
- Foutainoflife
- Oct 31, 2020
- Permalink
I didn't expect too much after reading the reviews, but this movie turned out to be quite good.
It is a solid story that is well acted and produced, and you never quite know what's going to happen.
It is not mega gory, but it is the story that makes it creepy - and the brilliant ending of course.
It is a solid story that is well acted and produced, and you never quite know what's going to happen.
It is not mega gory, but it is the story that makes it creepy - and the brilliant ending of course.
It's not horrible, but definitely not the greatest. Too many of the scenes reminded me of Skeleton Key and Misery. However, how much could you really change up with this type of movie. It is what it is. I wouldn't pay to watch it, but free... why not? It's worth watching if you have nothing to do. Cast members get A+.
I liked it. A lot of questionable decisions, some questionable shots, a story that will upset the pc brigade (oh because we can't make horror movies with countryside people anymore...), a lot of things that shouldn't work, but for me, it worked as a good thriller.
Yeah, it's not exactly horror, sometimes you have a 80s feelings ("go get Lewwwwis"), it feels like a small movie, but a comfortable small movie, tense, well acted, atmospheric, stylish and you are always looking for what comes next.
Doesn't work for most, worked for me. That's it.
Yeah, it's not exactly horror, sometimes you have a 80s feelings ("go get Lewwwwis"), it feels like a small movie, but a comfortable small movie, tense, well acted, atmospheric, stylish and you are always looking for what comes next.
Doesn't work for most, worked for me. That's it.
- PedroPires90
- Jan 3, 2021
- Permalink
- BandSAboutMovies
- Nov 13, 2020
- Permalink
Was this one amazing? I wouldn't use that word. Was it serviceable? That I can concur with. In the wake of awful Tyler Perry Movies and the negligence of black cinema as a serious locomotive in cinema, this one took me by surprise. Not with it's story so much, but with its courage to be horror the way it can be: without prejudice. Like I stated previously, the story isn't exactly extraordinary; however it surprised me a few times with the quality of acting, atmosphere, and just the overall awareness of what the production was trying g to accomplish. I look forward to more like this one. Not a black movie or white movie. Just a damn well-rounded horror flick to the like that we don't much get any more.
- deadrushluke04
- Jan 21, 2021
- Permalink
Omari Hardwick's and Loretta Devine's performances elevate this horror/suspense/thriller in ways the script may never have imagined. Devine, especially, steals scenes and makes her venomously evil character devilish beyond redemption. Well worth watching, James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 1/20/2021
The story or motivation of the main actor is the old cookie-cutter family-is-in-danger thing.
So you know how it will end even before you see it.
The worst moments of this movie were about the skin color. I live in a reality where the skin color does not represent education, environment and character of a person. So every time skin color was brought up, I sighed REALLY hard. The problem with it was not the fact that it was there, but the on-the nose way it was brought up.
I did not liked the third act. The way he suddenly knows everything and can move despite a incredibly heavy injury ruined the "suspension of disbelief". (hardly a spoiler for those kind of moves)
Camera work and cinematography were bad.
What saves it, is the acting. Omari Hardwick had a great performance. He was believable in his desperation for the most part. Without him, this movie would have been much worse. His relationship with Lorraine Burroughs felt genuine and it seemed they had some chemistry. Not much unfortunately, because character development is barely there, but the few scenes they shared were good.
Loretta Devine... oh boy. She is an amazing villain. She was scary and very intimidating.
It is not a great movie, but one that had some interesting aspects. I definitely enjoyed the watch.
The worst moments of this movie were about the skin color. I live in a reality where the skin color does not represent education, environment and character of a person. So every time skin color was brought up, I sighed REALLY hard. The problem with it was not the fact that it was there, but the on-the nose way it was brought up.
I did not liked the third act. The way he suddenly knows everything and can move despite a incredibly heavy injury ruined the "suspension of disbelief". (hardly a spoiler for those kind of moves)
Camera work and cinematography were bad.
What saves it, is the acting. Omari Hardwick had a great performance. He was believable in his desperation for the most part. Without him, this movie would have been much worse. His relationship with Lorraine Burroughs felt genuine and it seemed they had some chemistry. Not much unfortunately, because character development is barely there, but the few scenes they shared were good.
Loretta Devine... oh boy. She is an amazing villain. She was scary and very intimidating.
It is not a great movie, but one that had some interesting aspects. I definitely enjoyed the watch.
- passan-80670
- Oct 29, 2020
- Permalink
This is a great little film. Full of suspense, excellent adult actors (not so much the kids), some genuinely gruesome moments and excellent soundtrack. They did exceptionally well with a modest budget. My wife and I had a great time and enjoyed the folklore and frights.
- danielgschmidt
- Dec 30, 2020
- Permalink
All in all a pretty good film with a somewhat strange and not very sensible plot but still not bad. The film manages well to keep the anxiety and suspense but the final seems pulled away because everything happens too quickly.
- gianmarcoronconi
- Dec 5, 2021
- Permalink
'Spell' is just 90 minutes of pure schlocky b-movie fun. They introduced some basic story elements at the beginning of the film, and I thought that this was going to be a basic occult horror film, probably mixed with psychological elements. But it's not.
At some point, they just drop the common sense and start having fun. If you're not new to movies you will catch the ending very fast, since the main lead literally explains the plot talking to the viewer (I was wondering why he wasn't looking at the camera). So you're just expecting more random and bizarre stuff to happen, and they deliver.
At times, the film felt more like a cheesy horror game but without jumpscares, the superhuman main character, zero realism, and people were driven not by motivation but by video game rules. Other times it felt like a weird combination of a horror-comedy, revenge film, Rambo sequel, and an 80ties TV-show.
I can't say I'd like to recommend this film, but if you love cheesy b-movie fun, gore, and intentional overacting (and you are prepared to switch-off your brain for 90 minutes) - you can give it a try. I can promise you - you will laugh a lot.
But if you try to take this seriously as a suspenseful occult horror film this clearly won't end up making your day better.
At some point, they just drop the common sense and start having fun. If you're not new to movies you will catch the ending very fast, since the main lead literally explains the plot talking to the viewer (I was wondering why he wasn't looking at the camera). So you're just expecting more random and bizarre stuff to happen, and they deliver.
At times, the film felt more like a cheesy horror game but without jumpscares, the superhuman main character, zero realism, and people were driven not by motivation but by video game rules. Other times it felt like a weird combination of a horror-comedy, revenge film, Rambo sequel, and an 80ties TV-show.
I can't say I'd like to recommend this film, but if you love cheesy b-movie fun, gore, and intentional overacting (and you are prepared to switch-off your brain for 90 minutes) - you can give it a try. I can promise you - you will laugh a lot.
But if you try to take this seriously as a suspenseful occult horror film this clearly won't end up making your day better.
- kodiakblack
- Dec 28, 2020
- Permalink
Wasn't expecting a great film. So was pleasantly surprised to find myself intrigued. Admittedly Spell reminds me of Misery, but I still found Spell entertaining. Good watch.
Pretty predictable. It's like, a bougie Black people version of Misery + The Skeleton Key. Some parts are gross though. I'll give it a 5 for the cast.
- tamerafarrar-37304
- Oct 30, 2020
- Permalink
Trying to tell a story in 90min. with voodoo narratives, Dialogue and Action is very difficult when you have to please Hollywood with added buffoonery! Great storyline but writers also included too many unanswered scenarios.
Unfortunatelly this movie is weak in many aspects .
Weak acting , poor script and weak directing ... Very dispointing as i was expecting a better movie . It could had been a good movie but ... it is not ...
Weak acting , poor script and weak directing ... Very dispointing as i was expecting a better movie . It could had been a good movie but ... it is not ...
- viziunarium
- Oct 30, 2021
- Permalink
3 out of 5 stars.
Spell is a fair horror film that plays around with the concept of voodoo witchcraft or a cult like theme. A family is on a plane ride to a funeral but is involved in a plane crash. The main guy Omari Hardwicke wakes up to a strange old couple. Who may or may not helped him. But are keeping him trapped in there attic. And they have a voodoo doll that is keeping him trapped.
Decent story. The characters with the main guys family feels very undeveloped.
The film does offer thrills. With Omari trying to escape so many times. But gets stuck or caught. It does get repetitive and frustrating with what happens. The direction and climax plays out satisfying.
Decent performances. Omari Hardwick was decent with his performance. Loretta Devine playing an older witchcraft woman was forgettable. It was difficult trying to understand her mumbling her lines.
It is no Get Out film which had a smart witty direction. This film tries to take itself seriously. With its thrills and direction. But is decent with story and repetitiveness.
Spell is a fair horror film that plays around with the concept of voodoo witchcraft or a cult like theme. A family is on a plane ride to a funeral but is involved in a plane crash. The main guy Omari Hardwicke wakes up to a strange old couple. Who may or may not helped him. But are keeping him trapped in there attic. And they have a voodoo doll that is keeping him trapped.
Decent story. The characters with the main guys family feels very undeveloped.
The film does offer thrills. With Omari trying to escape so many times. But gets stuck or caught. It does get repetitive and frustrating with what happens. The direction and climax plays out satisfying.
Decent performances. Omari Hardwick was decent with his performance. Loretta Devine playing an older witchcraft woman was forgettable. It was difficult trying to understand her mumbling her lines.
It is no Get Out film which had a smart witty direction. This film tries to take itself seriously. With its thrills and direction. But is decent with story and repetitiveness.
This movie was more of a comedy to me than a horror film! The way they interpreted KY .. folks without water..electricity...and funniest of all...African Americans not living there! Tried to make the beautiful state of Kentucky out to be some backwoods hillbilly rednecks state. Looks like it was filmed in the desert as to the appalachians...lol. The accents in the movie just made it even funnier. Nothing scary about this stupid movie...one of the worst films of the year in my opinion!!
- aprildodsonfincher
- Nov 13, 2021
- Permalink
Another movie people over analyze instead of just watching and going with the story. Its suspenseful it has some gore, its violent it has revenge, it features GREAT acting, great cinematography, what the heck do you people want??????? Its easily a 7 but a 5????? REALLY???
And to the MORONS who says it's a rip off on misery, what film were you watching?? No one was a fan of someone, it wasnt about infatuation, it didnt have a tiny cast, it was an all African American cast?? It was closer to serpent and the rainbow than misery. ANYWAY, trust me watch this movie and hope for a sequel. I'm extremely happy I purchased the bluray!!! BRAVO to the whole cast and crew!!!!
- jimbo-53-186511
- Mar 4, 2022
- Permalink
Do yourself a favor and skip this one!! I actually feel bad for the actors who participated in this nonsense of a film. It's been a while since I've seen something so moronic. I'm actually angry at myself for watching it to the end. The only positive is the American Human logo of "No animal were harmed". Other than that there's nothing, it's pure crap. Avoid!!!
- Just-A-Girl-14
- Jun 16, 2021
- Permalink
So corny and poorly directed. So many plot holes it could be used has a colander. So badly executed a child could have directed it. Waste of time I rather watch paint dry.
- kadenkgcampbell
- Mar 14, 2021
- Permalink
A lot of people are giving this movie bad reviews, however I kinda enjoyed it and it was great to see two great actors in a different way. Omari and Loretta did a great job. The ending coulda been a bit more thought out but overall it was a good movie.
- lawanda-60630
- Sep 16, 2021
- Permalink