Pop Culture Movies and More: Hocus Pocus (1993)

In the year 1693, sisters Winifred, Mary and Sarah are executed for practising witchcraft. Just before their execution, Winifred made a curse, a curse that when a virgin lights the black flame candle they shall return. In 1993, 300 years later, Max decides to light the candle to show off to his irritating kid sister Dani and his wannabe girlfriend Alison. Now, the three Witches are back ready for a night of fun, magic and horror in the modern Salem on Halloween. Hocus Pocus is a Walt Disney production that has certainly been a bit of a guilty pleasure for me that I would rewatch every October without fail. Whilst not perfect and with its flaws, it is one I tend to overlook in favour of its entertainment factor and spooky season vibes. It continued the trend of some of their theatrical movies taking a slightly darker edge (although not taking it very far) and a strange fascination with virgins, much like Dragonslayer (1981). Like most of these types of movies, they have only grown more popular over time. The film opens in a setting of late 1600s Salem as one of the Sanderson sisters lures a young girl into their home. She is followed by her brother, Thackery, who is unable to stop the spell the sisters cast that sucks the life out of his sister that gives them back their youthful looks. Thackery is punished for eternity as he is transformed into a black cat who is cursed with eternal life to live out the years of his guilt. The sisters are caught shortly after and hung by the townsfolk, not before Winifred, casts a curse using her book, allowing them to return upon the lighting of the black flame candle by a virgin on Halloween night. Flashing forward 300 years, we are brought to the 'then modern-day' of 1993, where we follow Max, whose parents have moved to Salem from L.A., much to his disappointment. He has no care or belief in the supernatural, despite the whole class and teachers revelling in the season and its paranormal connotations. Max's sister Dani, however, has no problem with having moved and also loves the Halloween festivities. Max harbours a crush on a fellow student, Alison, whom he tries to impress by going to the old home of the Sanderson now turned into a museum, where the sceptic lights the black-flamed candle bringing about the witch's return. It is here that Binx the boy turned cat reveals himself as being able to talk and helps guide the three in their fight against the witches. The remainder of the film revolves around the witches attempting to complete their original spell to suck the lives out of children and retain their youth before sunrise where they will cease to exist. With Max having stolen the book, the sisters must venture out into the 20th century, where they spend a lot of time being bewildered, confused and mistaking everyday things or people. The Sanderson sisters are easily the highlight of this production as they throw themselves into every scene and deliver a phenomenal performance, especially my favourite, Winifred, who constantly bickers with her dim-witted sisters. I loved the scene where they take to a stage during a party of the parents of Salem when Max is warning them and sings a jazzed-up 'I Put a Spell on You' whilst doing just that on the unsuspecting dancers. It is so catchy and probably the most rewatched part of the whole flick. Furthermore, in their search for our heroes, the sisters use whatever methods possible, even reanimating an old lover/victim, Billy Butcherson, to catch the kids. That is until near the climax when he retaliates and fights back. Naturally, our protagonists are victorious in their battle as they thwart the witch's plans in a climactic showdown saving the day. Overall, Hocus Pocus may not be perfect but it is just too much fun not to enjoy. Whilst some of the characters, like Dani, can be a bit annoying (including the bullies Jay and Ice) they are easily overshadowed by the sister trio who elevate every scene. The effects still hold up and the whole concept of running around a town at night on Halloween, being chased by sinister villains, is a lot of fun to watch. I'd recommend giving this one a look over with its entertainment value, which is also great for family viewing. Also, check out Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) for more.