Spell (2020 Movie) Review: Think Misery But Creepier

Spell is a movie that feels a lot like Misery, but with the creepy factor upped by ten thousand. It starts off slow, but then gets really, really good.

All you have to do is read the description of Spell or check out the trailer to know it is going to give you Misery vibes. Misery is one of my favorite movies so I was cautiously optimistic about this one. Would it be different enough that I could separate the two in my mind and appreciate them both? The answer is yes.

Spell starts off pretty slow, which I do understand. Quite often thriller movies take a while to set up so I was not mad at that. But after about twenty minutes, it starts to get really good, and super creepy, and I am so here for it.

In the beginning Marquis and his family have to travel for his father’s funeral. He is flying the plane and they crash. He wakes up disoriented and unaware where he is — with his family nowhere in sight. A nice old couple (or are they?) has bandaged him up and is nursing him back to health. Eloise, the old lady, tell him she has made a Boogity of him, out of his BLOOD AND SKIN, that will help him heal before the rise of the blood moon.

Yes, you read that right. This lady took his blood and skin (and other bodily fluids that she mentioned but I refuse to) and made a doll out of this man! I mean, right then I would have run for it no matter how hurt I was. And as if that wasn’t enough, after the introduction of the Boogity, the creep factor still goes through the roof. I don’t want to ruin anything but there is some soup, there is a railroad spike, and so much more that gave me the heebie jeebies.

All of the acting in Spell is pretty spot on. A lot of the film falls on the shoulders of Omari Hardwick and Loretta Devine, rightfully so, and they carry it wonderfully. The on screen chemistry between them is bone chilling! A movie so filled with suspense like this one is either made or broken by the cast, and Hardwick and Devine make Spell, trust me. 

This movie had me on the edge of my seat from the middle on. And while I kind of figured out what was going to happen, there were still some twists that took me by surprise. The last 15 minutes deserves a chef’s kiss — it was pure perfection!  

Overall Thoughts

Yes, this movie is quite predictable, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. There were actually a few moments I did not see coming that made me gasp (and almost vomit — in a good way). This movie is so much more than just a horror movie; Spell is actually a psychological thriller that will chill you to your bones. 

Sure, there are some flaws like the slow beginning and predictability, but they don’t take away from the overall suspense of Spell. This movie is perfect for the Halloween season, but also a great movie night film for any time of the year. Get ready to shiver to your core when you watch Spell!

About Spell

While flying to his father’s funeral in rural Appalachia, an intense storm causes Marquis (Omari Hardwick) to lose control of the plane carrying him and his family. He awakens wounded, alone and trapped in Ms. Eloise’s (Loretta Devine) attic, who claims she can nurse him back to health with the Boogity, a Hoodoo figure she has made from his blood and skin. Unable to call for help, Marquis desperately tries to outwit and break free from her dark magic and save his family from a sinister ritual before the rise of the blood moon.

Spell is Rated R for violence, disturbing/bloody images and language. 

Spell is available on Premium Video On-Demand and Digital October 30th.

Tessa Smith

Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.

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