this movie definitely traumatized a generation of kids (positive)
Cinemas
EN
Directed by Jack Clayton
Something Wicked This Way Comes
An atmospheric, slow-burn fantasy.
Fantasy
Mystery
Thriller
1983
1h 35m
In a small American town, a diabolical circus arrives, granting wishes for the townsfolk, but twisted as only the esteemed Mr. Dark can make them. Can two young boys overcome the worst the devil himself can deal out?
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Cast & crew
6What people say
I started watching this a few months ago, and realized about 5 minutes in this was a film for fall. As I've now consumed several pumpkin spice things, fall has officially begun! And oh boy, was I right about this.Here's a thing I'm a complete sucker for: fall as a metaphor for childhood, and innocence. Those last sunny days before winter/growing up. Halloweens when you maybe still believed in the fun kind of evil (instead of the very un-fun kind of adulthood). See also Boys in the Trees and Kenny and Company. None of these are horror films, not even this one really, though this does have some scary parts! I don't always need horror; sometimes I just want a love letter to the season itself.This opens with a rousing score played over a train creeping through the night. Can trains creep? This one does! So simple, so perfect. Cut to golden leaves in a sun-soaked woods, a stream trickling by, the most idyllic autumn scene you can imagine, and there you go: the contrast of light and dark that makes up fall, and this film. Then we go to a pumpkin patch and stop, you're gonna kill me! The wind blows leaves down the streets of the small town. The carnival sneaks in in the dead of night, the eerie silhouettes of the rides and tents giving way to daytime, where they become disappointingly ordinary. But things don't stay ordinary for long!Like Watcher in the Woods this is a Disney... fantasy thriller kind of thing? and I wish they'd made more of these. It's nostalgic even if you've never seen it. It's so pure it transports you to another time, at least for 90 minutes. A couple issues - the score, which is wonderful at times, sometimes gets a little cloying and Hallmark-y. The father-son story is effective on its own merits and didn't need "feel something bitch!" music cues. There are some wonky effects that took me out of it a couple times (like another film that fits this category, Lady in White). But those are small things, and I highly recommend watching this under a plaid blanket with a cup of spice tea. Added to 26 Halloween vibe movies that aren’t Halloween or Trick r Treat!
Disney does Bradbury like a ghost with a clip-on tie. Half-spooky, half-corny, all metaphor. Creepy enough for kids, deep enough for dads. Just not quite wicked enough.
Common questions
What is Something Wicked This Way Comes about?+
A mysterious and sinister carnival arrives in a small town, and two young boys must confront the diabolical Mr. Dark, who grants wishes with dangerous consequences.
Who directed Something Wicked This Way Comes?+
It was directed by Jack Clayton, a filmmaker known for his work in the mid-20th century, particularly the atmospheric psychological horror film The Innocents.
Is Something Wicked This Way Comes suitable for children?+
While released by Disney, it is widely considered a dark, unsettling film that features mature themes and disturbing imagery often intended for older audiences. Follow the film on Mood.
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