User reviews

"Oracle" (2023) doesn't give viewers much to work with. While the premise held promise, and the storyline itself had some interesting elements, the film ultimately falls short. The horror relies on cheap jump scares that lack impact, and much of the suspense feels forced and unearned. The plot takes a while to develop, and until it does, viewers are met with generic horror tropes and tension that feels unnecessary and ineffective.

Occasionally, a poorly executed jump scare or a scream from one of the characters breaks the monotony, but these moments fail to add much value. Lead actress Ryan Destiny delivers a solid. The child actors' performances are uneven, and at times, certain scenes leave you shaking your head at the sheer implausibility.

While it's not a terrible watch, the movie misses the mark on its potential and could have been far more enjoyable. Heather Graham, however, looks absolutely stunning though. [4.8/10]

Heather Graham is the only actress you'll recognize and she is not the main star. The people who make up the cast do a great job. The effects are done well enough to give you a good fright.

The story centers on a girl making a real connection with a place from her dreams. She's hired as a nanny for just one night and that's when everything happens. Camera work is good. This doesn't feel like a B movie. Not sure what the budget was but it was well directed and produced. I watched on a streaming service as part of my subscription and am glad I did. Good little scary movie to watch when you're in that kind of mood.

When I was searching for a horror movie and saw Heather Graham and Universal Pictures had worked on this movie and teamed up, I expected they would create a great movie. This is not a great movie. Maybe if my expectations were very low it would be somewhat enjoyable but I don't think so. This was a weak film and probably why it wasn't released in the movie theaters. I feel the writers were trying to be too socially relevant and not focused enough on making a great movie. "Get Out" was a similar genre but so much better done. In this movie there were no real unexpected twists. There were racists and ghosts and black people treated very wrong who didn't deserve it. That is not enough to carry a film. Maybe if we knew some of the revelations at the end during the film it would have been better.

There was very little character development. I know the main actress liked Civil war history and she couldn't find a job. I knew Heather Graham had a sick mom. But who they were and what they stood for and why was not developed at all and that would have added. There were a lot of nonsensical plot issues that distracted as well. Overall I would say watch it if you don't expect anything. The acting isn't terrible. But if you want to watch a good movie you will likely be disappointed

Maybe it would make more sense in 1864.

This movie was just plain awful. Made no sense in the least. Bad acting, especially by the kids and plot was a hot mess. Don't waste your time watching it. If I could've marked a thumbs down 👎 on Max, I would have, so that's why I had to make my comments on here. Definitely received a higher rating than deserved. I would have given it anywhere from a 4.0 or below!! That would have certainly made me not bother to watch it..and I am a huge an of horror movies. This belongs in the 'flop movie's' category. Again, don't waste your time watching it. Just plain dumb, horrible and you'll never get back what you put into it.

So this movie feels like they wanted to make a Jordan Peele movie, just without a decent director, good writing, passable talent, or anything interesting or creative.

Every character is a 2D characture, just there to fill overused and bland role. It's almost a paint by numbers with, first impression of a character on screen and you already know what they're going to be.

From the moment we enter the house, they begin to throw every cheap scare in the book. If you've seen any horror movie you can play a drinking game with how predictable this movie is.

Finally the movie's pacing is just a drag. Half way through and you're still waiting for anything to happen besides the main character brooding.

Oracle had a very similar vibe to The Skeleton Key and I really enjoyed that the protagonist in the movie was smart, driven and not just a fool wandering through an old house without any insight to the fact that horrible things had taken place there prior to her arrival. It's got some harrowing moments, but the acting is on point and contains a cast that complements the vibe of the film perfectly.

The cinematography is exceptional and the story that weaves it all together plays out to be an entertaining movie that I am certain those who are found of haunted houses in the Southern Gothic light will enjoy. It's a rare movie, and I don't feel there are many that even line up in similarity but Antebellum might be one that can also be considered in the comparison light for Oracle.

Overall, I found the themes surrounding history, and the nanny's intrigue to be highly entertaining, and acting to be compelling and the scenes put together with a pristine Gothic ambiance that I found thoroughly enjoyable.

Rather bland ghost story haunted house movie. The overall quality of the lighting didn't help aa it just made the movie dark. Plotting was standard, and it was lacking in originality. There were several elements from other ghost stories and movies that I was guessing ahead of time and sticking the landing.

The efforts of the film makers to bring social relevance to the film by entwining the history of hatred from slavery and racism didn't have the impact that was needed. (Get Out this isn't, and doesn't come close.) Instead, this is simply the plotting and setting to place the movie, but it tries to make it more relevant because of slavery and racism. There is no attempts for understanding of the intergenerational aspects of slavery, or the social impacts of racism that is inherent in our world.

Acting is decent but mildly stereotypical for this genre and subject matter. That appeared more the do with the script than the actors. Overall, it was watchable but not interesting.

TLDR: a boring mess that isn't funny bad and should be avoided at all cost.

Another movie that cares more about preaching a message than actually being scary or interesting which is a huge trend in horror movies nowadays. It takes almost 40 minutes for a single bad scare to happen. Then follows the most boring obvious horror tropes imaginable for the rest of the movie.

Like many new horror movies the film is obviously just a vehicle for the writers and director to push some social message, instead of trying to make something interesting or scary. Unless you enjoy someone validating your beliefs or being incredibly bored I would avoid this movie.

This movie starts off OK; there's an intriguing vibe and the cinematography is decent. Unfortunately, it's all downhill from there.

The one good thing about the movie is Ariel Martin (as plucky roommate Jasmine); her character is fun and I would have MUCH rather seen a movie about her (maybe a rom-com?).

Sure, there's Heather Graham, but she's got a small role in this ultimately forgettable film. Not sure how they roped her in.

If you want to see a derivative paint-by-numbers horror film, by all means DO watch. But otherwise, please skip this; there are better films out there. I give this three (3) stars.

Oracle is horror movie that addresses some sort of slave-era situation, but in modern day. It's not really clear. Its the sort of movie that you watch on a boring Saturday afternoon, maybe when it's rainy.

You don't watch this movie with any other expectation than to be watching a cookie cutter, grade D formula horror movie with a dark skinned black female lead instead of your usual skinny blond dish. You'll wonder how they got Heather Graham to deliver her handful of lines. You'll wonder what the storyline was all about. You'll wonder why you have nothing better to do than to watch movies like this. And then when you're done, you'll feel better about life.

5/10 - not bad, not good, has its moments, sorta.

One star for the production quality and one star for the atmosphere. The acting is pretty dull. An earlier reviewer described the characters as bland and unlikable. I completely agree. The main character barely shows interest or emotion. I don't want to "spoil" anything but there's two times where characters just don't react to some pretty serious events. Besides all that it's a horror movie that's been done before, only better. I'm glad I didn't pay to watch this, it's one of the worst movies I've seen in a while honestly. Fortunately it's only an hour and twenty six minutes long. Usually I throw out some ideas I think could've maybe helped but this one needs to much help. 3 out of 10 is generous.

This movie is gross and totally predictable. My husband and I turned if off before it was done and started to watch YouTube. I see why this movie got trashed and put directly on streaming. It's not good at all. It's a cliché storyline that's been done a million times. The actors are terrible besides maybe Graham. Mediocre actors at best, you can tell they had a a microscopic budget and couldn't hire real talent. The main actress is awful. She's not believable as her character and doesn't look like she put much effort into the role. I have no idea how she got casted or who she even is. Odd. She definitely was hired for a specific reason that I don't need to mention. This was an awful movie. Don't waste your time.

The concept here is appealing...has merit...and there's certainly a lot of potential there.

However, this particular film is just way too poorly written to capitalize upon any of it.

Because, while they draw you in with a concept that is more or less intellectual.

They proceed to dumb things down way too much.

The premise here is simple: a young African-American woman is lured to a former plantation- with a dark and violent past- with the promise of a lucrative nannying position.

Only to find out that the house harbours a lot more than just a dark history.

With the rest of the film playing out a lot like if it was film from the Nun franchise.

With a bit of political commentary spun in.

There is no fault with the film's production value, or acting (which is competent enough).

The problem clearly lies with the writing.

It suffers from bad dialogue, and poor character development.

Tied in with a weak plot that messes with the flow of the film.

And takes away from the overall enjoyability of the storyline.

It's easy enough to understand what is going on - mainly because the "twist" brings things into perspective.

But the way it's laid out makes for a lackluster viewing experience.

Leaving you to feel like it was a bit of a missed oppourtunity.

I really thought this was going to be good after the first few minutes.

But didn't find it to be much more than "meh" by the end.

Though...it's not overtly awful, either.

Just very mediocre.

3.5 out of 10.

I really loved this movie. I will agree that there are some parts that could have better work but overall I love the casting and everything. I don't get why there is so little stars on the movie.

The plot is great and the jokes are good. Some of the acting is decent but overall I loved it. I hope that the actors of this movie become big someday because the acting is very mature! I recognize some of the casting of the movie but not all and I would love to see some of them on a bigger movie!

I would give it a 10/10 but I do agree with some of the reviews... so a 9/10 it is from me! Great work everyone.

This movie is poorly done. The scenes are far too dark and the writing was terrible. There were too many stupid scenes that reflected poorly on the lead actress. I tried to get through the whole movie but I just couldn't bring myself to complete it. Once Shaye's roommate arrives the outcome made me shut it off and remove it from my watchlist. I considered it a waste of my time!

This movie is poorly done. The scenes are far too dark and the writing was terrible. There were too many stupid scenes that reflected poorly on the lead actress. I tried to get through the whole movie but I just couldn't bring myself to complete it. Once Shaye's roommate arrives the outcome made me shut it off and remove it from my watchlist. I considered it a waste of my time!

This movie is poorly done. The scenes are far too dark and the writing was terrible. There were too many stupid scenes that reflected poorly on the lead actress. I tried to get through the whole movie but I just couldn't bring myself to complete it. Once Shaye's roommate arrives the outcome made me shut it off and remove it from my watchlist. I considered it a waste of my time!

This movie is poorly done. The scenes are far too dark and the writing was terrible. There were too many stupid scenes that reflected poorly on the lead actress. I tried to get through the whole movie but I just couldn't bring myself to complete it. Once Shaye's roommate arrives the outcome made me shut it off and remove it from my watchlist. I considered it a waste of my time!

I'm not sure why the bad reviews but I thought this was a great story with Southern history and really good acting. You got a creepy plantation house, ghosts, a crazy ass demon, a good best friend and lots of scary stuff. I hadn't heard of Ryan Destiny but I thought her acting was great and way too good for a scary flick. Would love to see more of her and believe me have already added her as a favorite. She's believable and not over the top. She'd be really excellent in a meaty drama. The story of slaves and a plantation and the African American history saddens me a lot, but it's our history and I thought it was thought provoking the way it was shown in the movie.

Honestly I work at a movie theater and with 38yrs of watching movies it was fresh and a different take dealing with how things were in the past. I can see if your ignorant you may take something about this movie being racist but truth is whether we like it or not history wasn't always pleasant and lying or hiding the truth doesn't do anything. The scares and the cast are great main lead is charismatic. There's jokes clever lines and a twist they may be a bit predictable. Though it all is well thought out greatly pasting and would of paid to see this on big screen or on my case free cause I manage a theater. So I say if you watch it all through out I think you will find it enjoyable.