November 20, 2024 • 20 mins
What if your high school drama came with a supernatural twist? That’s exactly the captivating scenario we unpack in our latest episode of the End of Reason podcast, where we explore the 1996 cult classic film "The Craft". We're taking a deep dive into this mid-90s teen movie phenomenon that expertly fuses the grim allure of supernatural horror with the all-too-familiar turf of high school angst. Join us as we dissect the film's portrayal of four teenage girls—Sarah, Nancy, Bonnie, and Rochelle—who aren't just battling societal woes, but wielding witchcraft to reshape their destinies. From issues of identity and power to the perils of unchecked ambition, we unravel how "The Craft" resonated then and continues to echo with audiences today, shining a spotlight on its brilliant narrative and rich character arcs.
In our discussion, we promise a thorough exploration of the film's lasting legacy on 90s pop culture and its influential role amidst the era's feminist movements. We'll unpack Nancy's tragic journey through revenge and power, highlighting how these themes reflect broader societal dynamics. This episode also celebrates the standout performances of the cast, particularly Fairuza Balk, whose real-life connection to witchcraft adds an intriguing layer to her role. Whether you're a longtime fan or experiencing "The Craft" for the first time, we invite you to join us in revisiting this iconic film with fresh insights and a renewed appreciation for its cultural significance. Dive into the enchanting depths of "The Craft" and discover why it continues to captivate and inspire.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to the End of Reason podcast, where we
dive deep into the eerie, theunexplained and the downright
supernatural in film and TV popculture.
I'm your host, cr Knight, andtoday we're tackling a cult
classic that enchanted an entiregeneration the Craft, thank you
.
Released in 1996, the Craftisn't just another teen movie.
(00:29):
It's a supernatural horror filmthat perfectly captures the
(01:00):
angst, desire and danger ofmeddling with powers beyond our
control.
It's a film about friendship,magic and the sometimes
devastating consequences ofwanting too much.
Before we get into the details,let's set the stage.
The Craft came out in themid-90s, at a time when teen
movies were dominating the boxoffice.
(01:21):
Clueless Scream and Ten ThingsI Hate About you were huge and
high school drama was a popularcinematic theme.
But what set the craft apartwas its dark, supernatural twist
.
It tapped into a risingfascination with witchcraft, the
occult and alternativespirituality, things that were
becoming more mainstream in popculture.
(01:42):
The movie was directed byAndrew Fleming and starred Robin
Tunney, fairuza Balk, neveCampbell and Rachel True.
These actresses weren't justplaying stereotypical high
school girls.
They embodied characters withreal struggles, desires and
flaws.
Their performances turned whatcould have been a typical teen
horror into something muchdeeper.
(02:03):
But before we dive into theplot, I want to talk about the
cultural and historicalsignificance of the Craft.
This film came out during atime when witchcraft and
paganism were experiencing aresurgence in popular culture.
Shows like Charmadan, buffy theVampire Slayer followed soon
after, and even today we see theimpact in newer series like the
(02:25):
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
But the craft was the one thatreally popularised the idea of
witches as complex, multifacetedcharacters who were both
powerful and vulnerable.
What also makes the craftspecial is that it deals with
themes that were groundbreakingfor its time.
It wasn't just about magic.
It was about identity, power,revenge and the consequences of
(02:50):
getting everything you think youwant.
So as we explore the movie intoday's episode, we'll take a
closer look at how these themesplayed out, how the characters
were crafted and why the craftstill resonates with audiences
today.
Let's start by diving into thestory.
For those who haven't seen thecraft, here's a quick recap.
(03:15):
Sarah Bailey, played by RobinTunney, is a troubled teenager
who moves to Los Angeles withher father and stepmother to
start fresh after a difficultpast.
She enrolls at a Catholic highschool and soon attracts the
attention of three outcastsNancy, bonnie and Rochelle.
These girls have been dabblingin witchcraft, but need a fourth
(03:37):
to complete their coven.
They sense that Sarah has anatural power and when she joins
, things start to getinteresting.
Together, they perform ritualsand spells that give them
extraordinary abilities.
At first, their magic seemslike a dream come true.
They use it to change theirlives, punish their enemies and
(03:58):
make themselves stronger.
Bonnie, played by Neve Campbell, uses magic to remove her burn
scars.
Rochelle, played by Rachel True, seeks revenge on a racist
classmate, and Nancy, the leaderof the group, played by Firuza
Balk, taps into an immense darkpower that begins to consume her
.
But as we all know, magicalways comes with a price.
(04:22):
The girls begin to lose control, especially Nancy, whose lust
for power turns her into thefilm's main antagonist.
Sarah, realising the dangers ofwhat they've unleashed, tries
to pull back, but by then it'stoo late.
The story culminates in a finalshowdown between Sarah and
(04:43):
Nancy, where Sarah must use hernatural magic to defeat Nancy
and restore balance.
What makes the craft socaptivating isn't just the magic
or the supernatural elements.
It's the exploration of deeperthemes like identity, revenge,
power and belonging.
The girls don't just want magic.
(05:04):
They want control over theirlives.
They're teenagers who feelpowerless, marginalised and hurt
by the world, and magic givesthem a way to fight back.
But, as the film shows us,unchecked power can be dangerous
.
It's a cautionary tale aboutthe risks of getting what you
want without thinking about theconsequences.
(05:25):
Now let's talk about thecharacters, because they are
really what drives this film.
Each of the four main girlsrepresents a different type of
struggle and through their useof magic, we see how their
insecurities and desires shapethe story.
First there's Sarah.
She's the natural witch, theone with innate powers, and
she's the moral centre of thegroup.
(05:45):
Sarah is different from theothers because she's not seeking
power for power's sake.
She wants to fit in and find asense of belonging after a
troubled past.
Her backstory, which involves asuicide attempt, adds a layer
of complexity to her character.
She's dealing with trauma, andmagic becomes both a source of
(06:07):
healing and danger for her, andmagic becomes both a source of
healing and danger for her.
Then there's Nancy.
Oh, nancy Firuza Balk'sperformance is iconic, and for
good reason.
Nancy is the character whoundergoes the most dramatic
transformation.
She starts out as a girl who'sangry and frustrated with her
life, her mother's abusiveboyfriend, their poverty, her
(06:31):
feeling of being trapped.
For Nancy, magic representspower and freedom, but as she
gains more power she becomesconsumed by it, and her hunger
for control leads her down adark, destructive path.
Bonnie, played by Neve Campbell, is another interesting
character.
She's shy and self-conscious,and her burn scars make her feel
invisible.
(06:51):
Her magic journey is abouttransforming herself, literally
and figuratively, into someonewho is seen and desired.
But once she gets what shewants, we see a change in her
personality, as if the removalof her physical scars doesn't
heal the emotional ones.
And then there's Rochelle,played by Rachel True.
(07:13):
Rochelle's story deals withracism, something that was
rarely addressed in teen moviesof the 90s.
She's tormented by a cruelclassmate, and magic becomes her
way of fighting back.
But like the others, rochelle'srevenge comes with a cost.
It's clear that eachcharacter's use of magic is tied
to their deepest insecuritiesand fears, and as their powers
(07:37):
grow, those insecurities becometheir undoing.
Now let's get into the deeperthemes of the movie, because the
craft isn't just aboutwitchcraft.
It's about power, revenge andidentity.
Just about witchcraft.
It's about power, revenge andidentity.
At its core, the film is aboutwhat happens when people who
feel powerless are givenextraordinary abilities.
(07:57):
Each of the girls has been hurtin some way by society, by their
peers, by their families andmagic becomes their way of
fighting back.
But the film also shows us thatpower comes with a price.
Nancy in particular embodiesthe dangers of letting power
corrupt you.
Her desire for control andrevenge spirals out of control
(08:21):
and she becomes the villain ofthe story.
In a way, nancy's story istragic.
She's someone who has been hurtdeeply and instead of healing,
she lets her pain drive hertoward destruction.
Revenge is another key theme.
Each of the girls uses magic toget back at someone who has
wronged them.
Bonnie wants to shed her scarsand become beautiful.
(08:42):
Rochelle wants to punish herracist tormentor.
Nancy wants power over thosewho have made her feel small.
But the film makes it clearthat revenge is never a solution
.
It only leads to more pain.
By the end, the girls are leftwith nothing but regret and the
realisation that power isn't theanswer to their problems.
(09:04):
Let's shift gears and talk aboutthe influence the craft had on
pop culture, especially in termsof witchcraft and its portrayal
in media.
When the film came out, itwasn't just a box office hit.
It became a cultural phenomenon, especially among young women
who saw witchcraft as a symbolof empowerment.
The 90s were a time whenwitchcraft was becoming more
(09:25):
visible in pop culture.
You had shows like Charmed,buffy the Vampire Slayer and
later Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
But the craft was different,because it wasn't about fun,
light-hearted magic or quirkywitches casting spells to make
life easier.
The craft delved into the darker, more dangerous side of
(09:45):
witchcraft, showing what happenswhen power is misused.
It struck a chord with ageneration that was grappling
with issues of identity,belonging and rebellion.
One of the reasons the craftresonated so deeply with its
audience, particularly youngwomen, is because it framed
witchcraft as a way of takingcontrol in a world where they
(10:06):
often felt powerless.
The girls in the film use magicto gain autonomy over their
lives, to reshape theirappearances, fight back against
their bullies and take revengeon those who have wronged them.
For many viewers, especiallyteenage girls, this was
empowering.
Witchcraft, in this sense,became a metaphor for reclaiming
(10:28):
personal power.
But here's where it getsinteresting.
The craft also inspired a surgeof interest in real-world
witchcraft and Wicca.
After the film's release, therewas a noticeable uptick in
people, particularly young women, exploring alternative
spirituality and paganism.
Wiccan groups even reported anincrease in membership during
(10:51):
the late 90s, and the craft wasoften cited as an inspiration.
In this way, the movie blurredthe lines between fantasy and
reality, with its portrayal ofwitchcraft influencing how
people viewed magic in real life.
Now let's put the craft into abroader cultural context.
The 90s were a unique period forfilm, especially for teen
(11:15):
movies.
There was a rising interest inexploring teenage angst and the
struggles of adolescence, but inways that felt more authentic
and raw than the bubblysanitised teen movies of
previous decades.
Feminism was also gainingmainstream attention during this
time, with the girl powermovement coming to the forefront
thanks to figures like theSpice Girls, buffy, the Vampire
(11:38):
Slayer and the X-Files' DanaScully.
Women in media were starting tobe portrayed as more than just
love interests or damsels indistress.
They were complex, powerful andcapable of handling the
challenges life threw at them.
What makes the Craft sointeresting is that it fits into
this trend while alsosubverting it.
(11:59):
Yes, the movie centres on fourstrong female characters, but
it's not a simple story ofempowerment.
The film explores theconsequences of power.
Story of empowerment.
The film explores theconsequences of power how it can
corrupt, isolate and destroyrelationships.
It asks difficult questionsabout whether revenge can ever
truly heal the wounds caused byoppression and whether gaining
(12:20):
power actually makes you free.
At the same time, the Craft waspart of a broader witchcraft
renaissance happening in the 90s.
Witchcraft was becoming coolagain, with shows like Sabrina,
the Teenage Witch and Charmedtaking off.
But while those shows leanedinto the fun, quirky side of
being a witch, the craft dealtwith the darker, more dangerous
(12:42):
aspects of tapping intosupernatural forces.
It wasn't just about castingharmless spells or making
potions.
It was about dealing with theconsequences of wielding too
much power.
Let's take a quick break fromanalysing the themes and talk
about the production side ofthings.
One of the most fascinatingaspects of the craft is how it
was made.
Andrew Fleming, who directedthe film, brought a unique
(13:06):
vision to the project, blendingteenage drama with supernatural
horror in a way that felt freshand exciting.
But it wasn't just Fleming'sdirection that made the movie
stand out.
The cast was a huge part ofwhat made the craft so memorable
.
Robin Tunney, who played Sarah,had just shaved her head for
(13:27):
her previous role in EmpireRecords, so she had to wear a
wig for much of the film.
Her character, sarah, had thisvulnerability and inner strength
that made her the perfect foilto Nancy's more unhinged energy.
And then of course, there'sFairuza Balk.
Her portrayal of Nancy isnothing short of iconic.
Balk wasn't just acting, shehad a real-life connection to
(13:50):
the material.
She was fascinated bywitchcraft and even owned an
occult bookstore in Los Angelesat one point.
By witchcraft and even owned anoccult bookstore in Los Angeles
at one point.
Her dedication to the rolehelped elevate Nancy from a
typical villain to someone farmore complex and terrifying.
Nancy's descent into madness isone of the most gripping parts
of the film, and Bulk'sperformance is a big reason why.
(14:13):
Neve Campbell, who playedBonnie, was in the middle of a
breakout moment in her career,with Party of Five and Scream
catapulting her into stardom.
Bonnie's transformation fromshy and insecure to confident,
almost vain, after her scars arehealed, is subtle but powerful,
and Campbell nails it.
Rachel True's portrayal ofRochelle added depth to a
(14:37):
character who had to navigateboth the world of magic and the
very real issue of racism.
True has since talked about howthe film's exploration of
racism was groundbreaking forits time, especially in the
context of a teen horror movie,and while her character's arc
could have been more developed,rochelle's story remains one of
the most important parts of thefilm.
(14:59):
Let's fast forward a bit totoday.
Why does the craft still matter?
How has it influenced modernmedia and why are we still
talking about it nearly 30 yearslater?
Well, for one, the craft helpedredefine the way witches were
portrayed in film and television.
Before this movie, witches wereoften seen as either evil hags
(15:19):
or quirky bumbling characters.
The craft made them real,relatable and, most importantly,
human.
These were young women dealingwith real issues, and their use
of magic was a metaphor for howthey coped with the world around
them.
Use of magic was a metaphor forhow they coped with the world
around them.
In the years since its release,we've seen countless shows and
(15:41):
movies that owe a debt to thecraft.
Charmed leaned heavily on theidea of a sisterhood of witches,
while Buffy the Vampire Slayerexplored similar themes of
teenage empowerment mixed withsupernatural elements.
Even more recently, we've seenthe chilling adventures of
Sabrina and American HorrorStory cover and draw on the same
(16:02):
dark gothic aesthetic andthemes of power and identity
that the craft popularised.
But it's not just about witches.
The craft helped pave the wayfor more complex portrayals of
female friendships and powerdynamics.
The film wasn't afraid to showthat relationships, especially
between young women, can becomplicated and fraught with
(16:23):
tension.
The coven starts off as a groupof friends united by their
outcast status, but as powershifts and jealousy creeps in,
those bonds begin to fray.
That complexity, showing boththe strength and the fragility
of female friendships, wasgroundbreaking for the time.
Another reason the craftendures is because it deals with
(16:44):
universal themes identity,belonging, revenge and the
consequences of our choices.
Those are themes that resonatewith every generation and that's
why the movie still speaks toaudiences today.
Of course, no film is withoutits critics.
Some have argued that the craftfell into some of the same
tropes that other teen movies ofthe 90s did.
(17:06):
The girls' transformations,particularly Bonnie's obsession
with beauty, play into shallowstereotypes about what young
women value.
There's also the criticism thatRochelle's storyline could have
been given more depth,particularly given the
significance of addressingracism in a mainstream film at
the time.
But despite these critiques,the Craft remains a beloved film
(17:29):
and let's not forget that in2020 we saw a sequel, the Craft
Legacy.
While it didn't have the samecultural impact as the original,
it did explore some interestingnew territory, particularly
around gender and inclusivity.
The sequel introduced newcharacters and updated the story
for a more modern audience, butmany fans felt it lacked the
(17:50):
edge and emotional depth of theoriginal.
So why should you watch theCraft?
Or, if you've already seen it,why should you give it another
watch?
Well, it's not just about themagic or the witchcraft,
although those elements areincredibly fun to watch.
It's about the characters andthe way the film explores deeper
themes that are still relevanttoday.
(18:11):
At its heart, the Craft is astory about what happens when
we're given the power to changeour lives and the unintended
consequences that follow.
It's about friendship, jealousyand the dangers of letting your
darkest desires take over.
It's a cautionary tale, yes,but it's also an exploration of
(18:31):
how we deal with pain, traumaand the need for control pain,
trauma and the need for control.
And beyond the story, the Craftis an iconic film that helped
shape the way witches areportrayed in modern media.
It's a film that's beenembraced by multiple generations
and continues to inspire newstories about power, identity
and belonging.
Whether you're a long-time fanor watching it for the first
(18:54):
time, the Craft remains asspellbinding as ever.
Thanks for joining me today onthe End of Reason podcast, where
we've explored the depths ofone of the most iconic
witchcraft movies of all time,the Craft.
Whether you're a long-time fanof the film or someone just
discovering it.
I hope today's episode gave youa deeper appreciation of its
(19:16):
themes, characters and culturalimpact, and if you haven't seen
the Craft recently, now is theperfect time to revisit it.
Pay attention to thosecharacter dynamics, the
cautionary tale of power and therich supernatural atmosphere
that still holds up today.
It's more than just a spookywitch movie.
It's a film that makes youquestion the lengths we go to
(19:39):
change our realities and whetheror not we're ready to face the
consequences.
That's all for today's episodeof the End of Reason podcast.
I hope you enjoyed this deepdive into the world of the craft
and the supernatural forcesthat shape it.
If you liked what you heard,make sure to subscribe and leave
us a review.
Your feedback helps us bringmore in-depth analyses of your
(20:01):
favourite films.
Until next time, be carefulwith the magic you wield and
remember at the end of reason,all that's left is the unknown.
Thank you.
Welcome back to the End of Reason podcast, where we
dive deep into the eerie, theunexplained and the downright
supernatural in film and TV popculture.
I'm your host, cr Knight, andtoday we're tackling a cult
classic that enchanted an entiregeneration the Craft, thank you
.
Released in 1996, the Craftisn't just another teen movie.
(00:29):
It's a supernatural horror filmthat perfectly captures the
(01:00):
angst, desire and danger ofmeddling with powers beyond our
control.
It's a film about friendship,magic and the sometimes
devastating consequences ofwanting too much.
Before we get into the details,let's set the stage.
The Craft came out in themid-90s, at a time when teen
movies were dominating the boxoffice.
(01:21):
Clueless Scream and Ten ThingsI Hate About you were huge and
high school drama was a popularcinematic theme.
But what set the craft apartwas its dark, supernatural twist
.
It tapped into a risingfascination with witchcraft, the
occult and alternativespirituality, things that were
becoming more mainstream in popculture.
(01:42):
The movie was directed byAndrew Fleming and starred Robin
Tunney, fairuza Balk, neveCampbell and Rachel True.
These actresses weren't justplaying stereotypical high
school girls.
They embodied characters withreal struggles, desires and
flaws.
Their performances turned whatcould have been a typical teen
horror into something muchdeeper.
(02:03):
But before we dive into theplot, I want to talk about the
cultural and historicalsignificance of the Craft.
This film came out during atime when witchcraft and
paganism were experiencing aresurgence in popular culture.
Shows like Charmadan, buffy theVampire Slayer followed soon
after, and even today we see theimpact in newer series like the
(02:25):
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
But the craft was the one thatreally popularised the idea of
witches as complex, multifacetedcharacters who were both
powerful and vulnerable.
What also makes the craftspecial is that it deals with
themes that were groundbreakingfor its time.
It wasn't just about magic.
It was about identity, power,revenge and the consequences of
(02:50):
getting everything you think youwant.
So as we explore the movie intoday's episode, we'll take a
closer look at how these themesplayed out, how the characters
were crafted and why the craftstill resonates with audiences
today.
Let's start by diving into thestory.
For those who haven't seen thecraft, here's a quick recap.
(03:15):
Sarah Bailey, played by RobinTunney, is a troubled teenager
who moves to Los Angeles withher father and stepmother to
start fresh after a difficultpast.
She enrolls at a Catholic highschool and soon attracts the
attention of three outcastsNancy, bonnie and Rochelle.
These girls have been dabblingin witchcraft, but need a fourth
(03:37):
to complete their coven.
They sense that Sarah has anatural power and when she joins
, things start to getinteresting.
Together, they perform ritualsand spells that give them
extraordinary abilities.
At first, their magic seemslike a dream come true.
They use it to change theirlives, punish their enemies and
(03:58):
make themselves stronger.
Bonnie, played by Neve Campbell, uses magic to remove her burn
scars.
Rochelle, played by Rachel True, seeks revenge on a racist
classmate, and Nancy, the leaderof the group, played by Firuza
Balk, taps into an immense darkpower that begins to consume her
.
But as we all know, magicalways comes with a price.
(04:22):
The girls begin to lose control, especially Nancy, whose lust
for power turns her into thefilm's main antagonist.
Sarah, realising the dangers ofwhat they've unleashed, tries
to pull back, but by then it'stoo late.
The story culminates in a finalshowdown between Sarah and
(04:43):
Nancy, where Sarah must use hernatural magic to defeat Nancy
and restore balance.
What makes the craft socaptivating isn't just the magic
or the supernatural elements.
It's the exploration of deeperthemes like identity, revenge,
power and belonging.
The girls don't just want magic.
(05:04):
They want control over theirlives.
They're teenagers who feelpowerless, marginalised and hurt
by the world, and magic givesthem a way to fight back.
But, as the film shows us,unchecked power can be dangerous
.
It's a cautionary tale aboutthe risks of getting what you
want without thinking about theconsequences.
(05:25):
Now let's talk about thecharacters, because they are
really what drives this film.
Each of the four main girlsrepresents a different type of
struggle and through their useof magic, we see how their
insecurities and desires shapethe story.
First there's Sarah.
She's the natural witch, theone with innate powers, and
she's the moral centre of thegroup.
(05:45):
Sarah is different from theothers because she's not seeking
power for power's sake.
She wants to fit in and find asense of belonging after a
troubled past.
Her backstory, which involves asuicide attempt, adds a layer
of complexity to her character.
She's dealing with trauma, andmagic becomes both a source of
(06:07):
healing and danger for her, andmagic becomes both a source of
healing and danger for her.
Then there's Nancy.
Oh, nancy Firuza Balk'sperformance is iconic, and for
good reason.
Nancy is the character whoundergoes the most dramatic
transformation.
She starts out as a girl who'sangry and frustrated with her
life, her mother's abusiveboyfriend, their poverty, her
(06:31):
feeling of being trapped.
For Nancy, magic representspower and freedom, but as she
gains more power she becomesconsumed by it, and her hunger
for control leads her down adark, destructive path.
Bonnie, played by Neve Campbell, is another interesting
character.
She's shy and self-conscious,and her burn scars make her feel
invisible.
(06:51):
Her magic journey is abouttransforming herself, literally
and figuratively, into someonewho is seen and desired.
But once she gets what shewants, we see a change in her
personality, as if the removalof her physical scars doesn't
heal the emotional ones.
And then there's Rochelle,played by Rachel True.
(07:13):
Rochelle's story deals withracism, something that was
rarely addressed in teen moviesof the 90s.
She's tormented by a cruelclassmate, and magic becomes her
way of fighting back.
But like the others, rochelle'srevenge comes with a cost.
It's clear that eachcharacter's use of magic is tied
to their deepest insecuritiesand fears, and as their powers
(07:37):
grow, those insecurities becometheir undoing.
Now let's get into the deeperthemes of the movie, because the
craft isn't just aboutwitchcraft.
It's about power, revenge andidentity.
Just about witchcraft.
It's about power, revenge andidentity.
At its core, the film is aboutwhat happens when people who
feel powerless are givenextraordinary abilities.
(07:57):
Each of the girls has been hurtin some way by society, by their
peers, by their families andmagic becomes their way of
fighting back.
But the film also shows us thatpower comes with a price.
Nancy in particular embodiesthe dangers of letting power
corrupt you.
Her desire for control andrevenge spirals out of control
(08:21):
and she becomes the villain ofthe story.
In a way, nancy's story istragic.
She's someone who has been hurtdeeply and instead of healing,
she lets her pain drive hertoward destruction.
Revenge is another key theme.
Each of the girls uses magic toget back at someone who has
wronged them.
Bonnie wants to shed her scarsand become beautiful.
(08:42):
Rochelle wants to punish herracist tormentor.
Nancy wants power over thosewho have made her feel small.
But the film makes it clearthat revenge is never a solution
.
It only leads to more pain.
By the end, the girls are leftwith nothing but regret and the
realisation that power isn't theanswer to their problems.
(09:04):
Let's shift gears and talk aboutthe influence the craft had on
pop culture, especially in termsof witchcraft and its portrayal
in media.
When the film came out, itwasn't just a box office hit.
It became a cultural phenomenon, especially among young women
who saw witchcraft as a symbolof empowerment.
The 90s were a time whenwitchcraft was becoming more
(09:25):
visible in pop culture.
You had shows like Charmed,buffy the Vampire Slayer and
later Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
But the craft was different,because it wasn't about fun,
light-hearted magic or quirkywitches casting spells to make
life easier.
The craft delved into the darker, more dangerous side of
(09:45):
witchcraft, showing what happenswhen power is misused.
It struck a chord with ageneration that was grappling
with issues of identity,belonging and rebellion.
One of the reasons the craftresonated so deeply with its
audience, particularly youngwomen, is because it framed
witchcraft as a way of takingcontrol in a world where they
(10:06):
often felt powerless.
The girls in the film use magicto gain autonomy over their
lives, to reshape theirappearances, fight back against
their bullies and take revengeon those who have wronged them.
For many viewers, especiallyteenage girls, this was
empowering.
Witchcraft, in this sense,became a metaphor for reclaiming
(10:28):
personal power.
But here's where it getsinteresting.
The craft also inspired a surgeof interest in real-world
witchcraft and Wicca.
After the film's release, therewas a noticeable uptick in
people, particularly young women, exploring alternative
spirituality and paganism.
Wiccan groups even reported anincrease in membership during
(10:51):
the late 90s, and the craft wasoften cited as an inspiration.
In this way, the movie blurredthe lines between fantasy and
reality, with its portrayal ofwitchcraft influencing how
people viewed magic in real life.
Now let's put the craft into abroader cultural context.
The 90s were a unique period forfilm, especially for teen
(11:15):
movies.
There was a rising interest inexploring teenage angst and the
struggles of adolescence, but inways that felt more authentic
and raw than the bubblysanitised teen movies of
previous decades.
Feminism was also gainingmainstream attention during this
time, with the girl powermovement coming to the forefront
thanks to figures like theSpice Girls, buffy, the Vampire
(11:38):
Slayer and the X-Files' DanaScully.
Women in media were starting tobe portrayed as more than just
love interests or damsels indistress.
They were complex, powerful andcapable of handling the
challenges life threw at them.
What makes the Craft sointeresting is that it fits into
this trend while alsosubverting it.
(11:59):
Yes, the movie centres on fourstrong female characters, but
it's not a simple story ofempowerment.
The film explores theconsequences of power.
Story of empowerment.
The film explores theconsequences of power how it can
corrupt, isolate and destroyrelationships.
It asks difficult questionsabout whether revenge can ever
truly heal the wounds caused byoppression and whether gaining
(12:20):
power actually makes you free.
At the same time, the Craft waspart of a broader witchcraft
renaissance happening in the 90s.
Witchcraft was becoming coolagain, with shows like Sabrina,
the Teenage Witch and Charmedtaking off.
But while those shows leanedinto the fun, quirky side of
being a witch, the craft dealtwith the darker, more dangerous
(12:42):
aspects of tapping intosupernatural forces.
It wasn't just about castingharmless spells or making
potions.
It was about dealing with theconsequences of wielding too
much power.
Let's take a quick break fromanalysing the themes and talk
about the production side ofthings.
One of the most fascinatingaspects of the craft is how it
was made.
Andrew Fleming, who directedthe film, brought a unique
(13:06):
vision to the project, blendingteenage drama with supernatural
horror in a way that felt freshand exciting.
But it wasn't just Fleming'sdirection that made the movie
stand out.
The cast was a huge part ofwhat made the craft so memorable
.
Robin Tunney, who played Sarah,had just shaved her head for
(13:27):
her previous role in EmpireRecords, so she had to wear a
wig for much of the film.
Her character, sarah, had thisvulnerability and inner strength
that made her the perfect foilto Nancy's more unhinged energy.
And then of course, there'sFairuza Balk.
Her portrayal of Nancy isnothing short of iconic.
Balk wasn't just acting, shehad a real-life connection to
(13:50):
the material.
She was fascinated bywitchcraft and even owned an
occult bookstore in Los Angelesat one point.
By witchcraft and even owned anoccult bookstore in Los Angeles
at one point.
Her dedication to the rolehelped elevate Nancy from a
typical villain to someone farmore complex and terrifying.
Nancy's descent into madness isone of the most gripping parts
of the film, and Bulk'sperformance is a big reason why.
(14:13):
Neve Campbell, who playedBonnie, was in the middle of a
breakout moment in her career,with Party of Five and Scream
catapulting her into stardom.
Bonnie's transformation fromshy and insecure to confident,
almost vain, after her scars arehealed, is subtle but powerful,
and Campbell nails it.
Rachel True's portrayal ofRochelle added depth to a
(14:37):
character who had to navigateboth the world of magic and the
very real issue of racism.
True has since talked about howthe film's exploration of
racism was groundbreaking forits time, especially in the
context of a teen horror movie,and while her character's arc
could have been more developed,rochelle's story remains one of
the most important parts of thefilm.
(14:59):
Let's fast forward a bit totoday.
Why does the craft still matter?
How has it influenced modernmedia and why are we still
talking about it nearly 30 yearslater?
Well, for one, the craft helpedredefine the way witches were
portrayed in film and television.
Before this movie, witches wereoften seen as either evil hags
(15:19):
or quirky bumbling characters.
The craft made them real,relatable and, most importantly,
human.
These were young women dealingwith real issues, and their use
of magic was a metaphor for howthey coped with the world around
them.
Use of magic was a metaphor forhow they coped with the world
around them.
In the years since its release,we've seen countless shows and
(15:41):
movies that owe a debt to thecraft.
Charmed leaned heavily on theidea of a sisterhood of witches,
while Buffy the Vampire Slayerexplored similar themes of
teenage empowerment mixed withsupernatural elements.
Even more recently, we've seenthe chilling adventures of
Sabrina and American HorrorStory cover and draw on the same
(16:02):
dark gothic aesthetic andthemes of power and identity
that the craft popularised.
But it's not just about witches.
The craft helped pave the wayfor more complex portrayals of
female friendships and powerdynamics.
The film wasn't afraid to showthat relationships, especially
between young women, can becomplicated and fraught with
(16:23):
tension.
The coven starts off as a groupof friends united by their
outcast status, but as powershifts and jealousy creeps in,
those bonds begin to fray.
That complexity, showing boththe strength and the fragility
of female friendships, wasgroundbreaking for the time.
Another reason the craftendures is because it deals with
(16:44):
universal themes identity,belonging, revenge and the
consequences of our choices.
Those are themes that resonatewith every generation and that's
why the movie still speaks toaudiences today.
Of course, no film is withoutits critics.
Some have argued that the craftfell into some of the same
tropes that other teen movies ofthe 90s did.
(17:06):
The girls' transformations,particularly Bonnie's obsession
with beauty, play into shallowstereotypes about what young
women value.
There's also the criticism thatRochelle's storyline could have
been given more depth,particularly given the
significance of addressingracism in a mainstream film at
the time.
But despite these critiques,the Craft remains a beloved film
(17:29):
and let's not forget that in2020 we saw a sequel, the Craft
Legacy.
While it didn't have the samecultural impact as the original,
it did explore some interestingnew territory, particularly
around gender and inclusivity.
The sequel introduced newcharacters and updated the story
for a more modern audience, butmany fans felt it lacked the
(17:50):
edge and emotional depth of theoriginal.
So why should you watch theCraft?
Or, if you've already seen it,why should you give it another
watch?
Well, it's not just about themagic or the witchcraft,
although those elements areincredibly fun to watch.
It's about the characters andthe way the film explores deeper
themes that are still relevanttoday.
(18:11):
At its heart, the Craft is astory about what happens when
we're given the power to changeour lives and the unintended
consequences that follow.
It's about friendship, jealousyand the dangers of letting your
darkest desires take over.
It's a cautionary tale, yes,but it's also an exploration of
(18:31):
how we deal with pain, traumaand the need for control pain,
trauma and the need for control.
And beyond the story, the Craftis an iconic film that helped
shape the way witches areportrayed in modern media.
It's a film that's beenembraced by multiple generations
and continues to inspire newstories about power, identity
and belonging.
Whether you're a long-time fanor watching it for the first
(18:54):
time, the Craft remains asspellbinding as ever.
Thanks for joining me today onthe End of Reason podcast, where
we've explored the depths ofone of the most iconic
witchcraft movies of all time,the Craft.
Whether you're a long-time fanof the film or someone just
discovering it.
I hope today's episode gave youa deeper appreciation of its
(19:16):
themes, characters and culturalimpact, and if you haven't seen
the Craft recently, now is theperfect time to revisit it.
Pay attention to thosecharacter dynamics, the
cautionary tale of power and therich supernatural atmosphere
that still holds up today.
It's more than just a spookywitch movie.
It's a film that makes youquestion the lengths we go to
(19:39):
change our realities and whetheror not we're ready to face the
consequences.
That's all for today's episodeof the End of Reason podcast.
I hope you enjoyed this deepdive into the world of the craft
and the supernatural forcesthat shape it.
If you liked what you heard,make sure to subscribe and leave
us a review.
Your feedback helps us bringmore in-depth analyses of your
(20:01):
favourite films.
Until next time, be carefulwith the magic you wield and
remember at the end of reason,all that's left is the unknown.
Thank you.
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