Witchboard: reviews

What the critics say average 6.0 from 11 outlets

• 8.0 Dread CentralJosh Korngut Although its plot unravels a smidge in the final act, and its runtime is about 20 minutes longer than I would’ve recommended, these few blemishes somehow only add to the film’s overall charm and commitment to the bit. Read
• 7.4 Paste MagazineJim Vorel Deeply silly but more narratively ambitious than one would likely expect, it’s bursting (honestly overstuffed) with ideas and cinematic verve, taking advantage of a slightly longer runtime to really venture into increasingly bonkers metaphysical territory as it draws on and creates new cinematic tropes for movies about witches. Read
• 7.0 Rue MorgueDeirdre Crimmins WITCHBOARD might not be a major splash back into the horror genre for Russell, but it certainly is a welcome revival of that extinct breed of slumber-party movie. Read
• 7.0 ScreenAnarchyJ Hurtado Witchboard may not quite hit the career horror highs of A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (the best in the series), or The Blob, but this is a respectable return to the genre for him and I hope it’s not the last we get from him. Read
• 6.3 Roger EbertClint Worthington It doesn’t quite achieve that unqualified victory; it’s far too shaky and uneven for that. But in fits and spurts, it casts quite the campy, thrilling spell. Read
• 6.0 Film ThreatTerry Sherwood The new Witchboard is ambitious and fun at times, an overcooked horror revival with a blending addiction allegory, foodie satire, and supernatural spectacle. Read
• 5.0 Slant MagazineMark Hanson Some of the period action set pieces are spirited in their staging, while the film doesn’t lack for gruesome and elaborate kill sequences, which is almost enough to distract from the screenplay’s patchiness and insipid characterizations. Read
• 5.0 ColliderShawn Van Horn If you're a moviegoer who desires smart, original horror, skip Witchboard. You're better off just watching Sinners or Weapons again. Read
• 5.0 Bloody DisgustingJoe Lipsett Overall Witchboard is messy and uneven, scattered in both narrative and performance, but fun enough to lightly recommend. Read
• 5.0 JoBloTyler Nichols From the bland characters to a very stereotypical story, everything about Witchboard feels generic. Read
• 4.0 The GuardianLeslie Felperin Much less convincing are the shots involving a malevolent maine coon that attacks a drug dealer and turns into a blur of fake cat and visual effects. But the moment is so gloriously cheesy and ridiculous that on its own it almost makes this something worth paying for. Read