The Accursed – Review (2/5)

THE ACCURSED is a new horror movie where a family of witches finds themselves in trouble across generations. Starring Yancy Butler and Goran Visnjic, this one had potential but didn’t deliver. Read our full The Accursed (2021) movie review here!

THE ACCURSED is a new horror movie starring Yancy Butler and Goran Visnjic, which was what drew me to this movie. Unfortunately, neither of them seems to be bringing their A-game for this one.

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In this horror movie, we follow a family of Eastern European descent, who now lives in the US. Here they practice the witchcraft that almost got them killed in their old country. However, all is not well in the United States either. A curse is haunting generations and, I’m sorry to say, it’s a rather weak plot in that area.

Continue reading our The Accursed movie review below.

Dial back the CGI, please!

While the familiar faces of Yancy Butler (Witchblade) and Goran Visnjic (Santa Clarita Diet) made me want to check this out, they didn’t make me want to stick around. They’re not bad or anything, but their work here doesn’t really “spark much joy” either. In other words, I could do fine without seeing them in this movie.

A damn shame since I usually really like seeing them both on screen in just about anything.

The real problem, however, is the fact that while this story has potential, it really doesn’t deliver much of a punch. It takes place in a world where witches practice their magic freely within the family and yet, they don’t seem to be able to recognize the danger until it’s too late.

Also, there is way too much bad CGI in The Accursed. I mean, really, why can’t filmmakers appreciate the simple practical effects, when they would work so much better.

Maiara Walsh is the break-out star

Fortunately, there is one redeeming quality in this cast. Her name is Maiara Walsh and I already look forward to watching her in genre films again. You might recognize her from series such as The Vampire Diaries, The Last Ship, or Zombieland.

Yes, the Zombieland series from 2013… but just one pilot episode, since it wasn’t picked up. Interestingly, another key cast member of The Accursed was also in that Zombieland pilot. Her name is Izabela Vidovic and she also leaves a good impression in this new horror movie. Just not like Maiara Walsh.

Truly, Maiara Walsh seems to have all the energy and attitude that (almost) everyone else left at the door when they entered this film set. A shame really. Okay, to be fair, Melora Walters (The Pale Door) also did a great job… her character was just written in a way that was a bit too over the top for the rest of this story.

You can watch The Accursed in theaters and On Demand

Kathryn Michelle and Elizabeta Vidovic are the co-writers and co-directors behind this new horror movie. I feel like somewhere along the line of this production, they were in need of a “Devil’s Advocate”-type person, who could help out.

There is definite potential in this movie, but it just feels flat and full of bad CGI. Often in areas where the story and simple practical effects could have done so much more.

Except for the final moment of this horror movie, I never once felt the least bit of fear or dread. And I usually love movies about witches and witchcraft. I even liked the concept and core plot of this movie. It’s the way in which it was ultimately told, that just did not work for me.

Maybe others will feel differently, but I doubt it. A damn shame, really.

The Accursed is out in theaters and on demand from November 12, 2021.

Details

Directors: Elizabeta Vidovic and Kathryn Michelle
Cast: Yancy Butler, Izabela Vidovic, Goran Visnjic, Maiara Walsh, George Harrison Xanthis, Melora Walters