You have to hand it to director and co-writer Chuck Russell—best known for delivering arguably the greatest Nightmare on Elm Street sequel (Dream Warriors, for those keeping score) for pulling off a fairly solid ’80s-style throwback with Witchboard. Loosely (and I mean loosely) based on the 1986 cult film of the same name that starred the late Tawny Kitaen, this version is more reimagining than remake. What Russell and first-time screenwriter Greg McKay bring to the table isn’t a reinvention of the genre, but rather a grounded, straight-faced supernatural tale that avoids the kind of self-aware cheese so many horror reboots fall into. It may not be particularly scary, but it’s got just enough atmosphere, sincerity, and style to hold your interest from start to finish.
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Set in modern-day New Orleans, the plot follows Emily (Madison Iseman, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” TV series), a grounded, faithful girlfriend who stumbles upon an ancient pendulum board in an old building she and her fiancé, Christian (Aaron Dominguez), are renovating into a nightclub. When she starts to use the board, she inadvertently connects with a vengeful spirit tied to a dark occult past—unleashing a series of eerie events that put her and her friends in supernatural peril. As Emily digs deeper, she turns to Christian’s ex, Brooke (Jarnson), and a mysterious occult expert named Alexander Babtiste (Jamie Campbell Bower), whose own murky motives only complicate things further. Meanwhile, a powerful witch named Naga Soth (Antonia Desplat) begins to blur the line between vengeance and justice, threatening to consume them all.
Madison Iseman is a wise casting choice here as her laid-back, naturalistic performance gives the movie a welcome emotional anchor and helps sell some of its more out-there elements. Dominguez also plays it straight, grounding the story in a level of realism that balances out the more heightened performances. Speaking of which, the supporting cast leans into the film’s occult weirdness without tipping into parody. Jarnson is cool and sharp as the tough ex, Bower brings his signature eerie charisma, and Desplat is captivating as the enigmatic witch who may or may not have a point. They all get their moments to shine, and no one chews the scenery—though there’s definitely some genre fun to be had.
While there aren’t many genuinely scary moments, the movie’s tone works in its favor. There are a few cool atmospheric sequences that feel ripped from the VHS-era playbook, but the only real jump scares come courtesy of – you guessed it – cats. Twice. It’s unclear whether the feline frights are a knowing wink or just uninspired, but either way, it’s hard not to roll your eyes the second time. Still, Russell keeps the pace brisk, the world-building engaging, and the characters worth rooting for. This isn’t a cash-grab studio horror flick. It’s clear Russell cares about the material, and it’s genuinely nice to see him back in the director’s chair, showing growth while still playing in the sandbox that made him a genre name.
Witchboard might not conjure anything revolutionary, but it’s an enjoyably sinister ride that pays homage to the ‘80s without feeling stuck in the past. Call it old-school horror with a new-school polish and a welcome return to form for a director who still knows how to work his magic.
Witchboard opens in theaters on August 15, 2025.
