As a seasoned cinephile who has navigated through countless horror flicks, I must confess that “Tarot” left me feeling like a tarot card reader trying to decipher an unreadable deck. The film, with its promising premise, had the potential to conjure up chills and suspense in the vein of classics like “The Exorcist” or “Rosemary’s Baby.” However, it seems that this time the spirits decided to play a different game – one of missed opportunities and formulaic clichés.
Under the slogan “Your Destiny Lies in the Cards”, the spooky movie called “Tarot” offers a fairly accurate glimpse of what’s to come. This low-budget horror flick, which hit theaters earlier this year, performed admirably at the box office, raking in close to $50 million on an initial investment of just $8 million. However, it didn’t win favor among other critics. Upon closer examination, there are several apparent reasons for its less-than-warm reception.
The movie “Tarot” draws inspiration from the 1992 novel “Horrorscope” by Nicholas Adams. It was adapted for the screen and helmed by directors Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg. As the title implies, it delves into fortune-telling and the supernatural, providing a decent foundation for a horror movie plot. However, in execution, Cohen and Halberg fail to fully exploit the potential of their film. Unfortunately, “Tarot” falls short by adhering too closely to familiar tropes and formulas, rather than exploring its unique aspects.
The narrative unfolds around seven college companions: Haley (Harriet Slater), Grant (Adain Bradley), Paxton (Jacob Batalon), Paige (Avantika), Madeline (Humberly González), Lucas (Wolfgang Novogratz), and Elise (Larsen Thompson). These characters, though not particularly distinctive, often embody typical horror movie roles. They gather for a birthday bash at a secluded Catskills mansion they’ve rented for the weekend. Our soon-to-be-troubled revelers are about to be introduced.
Following their consumption (despite staying completely sober), they started searching the house for additional alcohol. Employing their cleverness, they decided to force open a padlocked basement door labeled “No Entry”. To their surprise, instead of more booze, they discovered an old basement filled with antiques such as a peculiar tarot deck. In a convenient plot twist, Haley turned out to be knowledgeable about tarot readings. Thus, she utilized the deck to predict everyone’s future. However, this proved to be a poor decision.
As the group interprets the tarot cards, they unwittingly summon a malevolent force that pursues them from the reading session to their school. Not long after, individuals within this dull-witted crowd of twenty-somethings start being viciously slain in grisly replicas of the cards they drew. Characters like The High Priestess, The Hanged Man, The Fool, and The Magician become their grim real-life executioners. The survivors gradually come to suspect something is wrong. They turn to Alma Astron (Olwen Fouéré), a tarot expert with an interest in the occult, for help. She traces the deck’s origins back to 1798, where she uncovers a curse that must be lifted before they all meet their untimely demise.
I find it challenging to fully immerse myself in this narrative, as I don’t seem to share any emotional connection with the characters. Their actions often appear inconsistent and irrational, lacking a substantial emotional journey that would make their plight relatable or engaging. The storyline itself follows a predictable pattern, failing to generate a palpable sense of tension or fear (except for a brief moment on a bridge). A potential intriguing backstory related to the cards is disappointingly presented in a hurried three-minute flashback, leaving many questions unanswered.
The movie “Tarot” lacks an engaging plot, memorable characters, few genuine scares, and no suspenseful moments. Even the deaths fall flat due to the film’s PG-13 rating, limiting the impact of some creative concepts. It’s unfortunate given the potential. Unfortunately, you won’t find anything particularly original in it as it follows familiar patterns. “Tarot” can now be watched on home video and VOD platforms.
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2024-09-11 17:56