When it comes to movies about witches and warlocks it is mostly mentioned magic is around everyone, but only the privileged ones can have access to it. In Bad Witch, the opposite is pronounced— magic is available to anyone who wants to manipulate it, but the results can be fatal if used deliberately.

Xander (Chris Kozlowski) is a witch who, when he wants to can be charming, has made bad decisions abusing black magic. After his latest mischief he must flee the city to start over wherever he is not known or accused of practicing his craft. Upon coming to live with his high school friend, he decides to give up magic altogether to start over and try to be as normal as possible— if he ever knew what it’s like to be normal. Unfortunately for Xander, giving up magic suddenly can have serious repercussions that could lead to his death. Luckily, trying to fit in with society, Xander gets a job where he meets Roland (Jackson Trent), a battered teenager who might need his help to break out of his shell, deal with bullies and, like every good Samaritan who uses everything in his favor, he will find a way to help him by abusing his powers again. To what extent will things turn against him and lose control of his life again?

First of all, Bad Witch is not a horror movie, but a comedy where supernatural elements spice up the plot of the typical story where an adult helps a teenager to stand out before society and get the girl of his dreams. At the beginning, everything seems to cook in a black cauldron and begins to bubble until it shows that the potion is different from what was thought. However, not everything is fun as soon as the third act begins where the plot tends to get darker, secrets and intentions come to surface and some characters turn against others. Everything seems to get complicated, leaving the characters without ways to handle their scraps or escape from them, but in the end, like all good clichés, everything is resolved, not pun intended, by magic.

If we go to the horror elements that are part of this feature film, what stands out is the gore which isn’t there much but when it comes on screen it is gory to the point that it might truly make you want to throw up. As for the comedy, it is more of a satirical mix of sarcasm and pop culture— it works when it is not thrown to your face in a forced manner.

Bad Witch has a magical premise and the questionable acting of a bad 80’s film, and yet this doesn’t affect the witchy delivery of every quirk and scare which is mostly laughs rather than screams. If you’re into sitcoms and have some spare time, don’t be a Xander and give this film a chance— at least he gave it to Roland.

8 OUT OF 10 SCARS