Hocus Pocus (1993)

Hocus Pocus (1993)

 

5/10

Starring

Bette Midler

Sarah Jessica Parker

Kathy Najimy

 

Directed by Kenny Ortega

 

Hocus Pocus was a 90s movie that almost everyone I know had seen. It tells the story of three witches who want to stay alive and young forever by consuming the life force of a child.

This Bette Midler Disney classic also featured Sarah Jessica Parker, who wasn’t as famous back then. The Sex and the City era hadn’t yet arrived, so she wasn’t the household name she’d later become. In Hocus Pocus, she plays the youngest of the witches, whose power lies in her enchanting voice that lures children. Her character is silly, not particularly smart, and easily excitable.

This fantasy comedic horror flick wasn’t a box office hit when it first came out, but it became a staple for those of us who had access to the Disney Channel. As a comedy, it didn’t boast the most impressive graphics or costumes. It felt like Disney held back on spending too much money on this production—and honestly, that was probably a smart move. The plot was very simple, and the whole production looked like something that could have passed as a children’s TV show.

Still, this movie somehow managed to become a nostalgic favorite for many of us who grew up in the 90s.

The plot centers on the three witches, the Sanderson sisters, who, in the 1600s, lured a young girl into the woods and killed her by draining her life force to remain young. (I did say this is a fantasy horror.) The girl’s brother, Binx, tried to save her but failed and was cursed to live as a cat. When the townspeople discovered the children were missing, they captured the sisters and sentenced them to be hanged for their crime. But before they were executed, Winifred, the eldest sister, cast a curse. She declared that they would be resurrected on a full moon on All Hallows’ Eve if a virgin lit the Black Flame Candle in their cottage.

Fast forward to 1993. Binx the cat had survived nearly 400 years (don’t think too hard about that). Sure enough, someone lights the candle, and the witches are brought back. They now have until midnight to consume a child’s life force or face death once more.

The story then shifts to another brother and sister as the witches target the girl to drain her life force and save themselves.

For me—and for many others—the standout characters in the movie are the witches themselves. They carry the film as the leading cast and make it entertaining despite the dark premise. Overall, the movie isn’t bad for a family viewing, as long as you’re okay with a plot centered around witches trying to kill children.