W2TCH

The Craft: Legacy (2020)

2020 • 1h 34m • Fantasy, Drama • PG-13
On September 29, 2026
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tmdb17996075 on The Craft: Legacy

· Nov 20, 2020

It’s true that this sequel isn’t great, but it also isn’t as terrible as many people claim. I understand the criticism leveled against it, especially given its tendency toward being overly preachy and “woke,” which was likely to draw negative attention from fans of the first movie—a demographic that includes myself, someone in their mid-thirties. Comparing it to "The Craft" (1996), a film considered a cult classic, is almost unavoidable, but as a standalone work, this film functions adequately and doesn’t deserve the extremely low scores—like those 1/10 ratings seen on IMDb and similar sites. The sequel seems primarily aimed at a younger audience with progressive social views. While I often find such films to be poorly made, I didn't struggle to watch it as much as I have with other movies perceived in the same way. Unlike the original film’s characters, who were largely unhappy and isolated due to their personal struggles and peer rejection, the girls in "Legacy" are cheerful and vibrant. In fact, at times, I found them excessively loud and enthusiastic, particularly regarding their magic, which they mostly use for frivolous pranks. The first movie explored each of the four characters’ lives, allowing viewers to connect with them; however, “Legacy” mainly concentrates on Lily, the protagonist. The other girls' stories are barely touched upon, which I found disappointing because it felt rushed and impersonal. We learn that Lourdes is a transgender Latina, Tabby remains largely undefined, and Frankie is a friendly but somewhat ditzy girl who experiences mockery from another student regarding her appearance. A significant problem with "Legacy" is the lack of character development; the original film was driven by its characters. These girls are generally agreeable—they don’t harm anyone and simply enjoy their powers—but we never really get to know them, and many of their traits feel generic. The label “woke social justice warriors” feels insufficient to describe them, and it's a type of character we see frequently these days. They just don't manage to stand out in any meaningful way. It could have been considerably worse; at least it’s not as overtly progressive as the 2019 remake of "Black Christmas." In “The Craft: Legacy,” the main antagonist is essentially patriarchy itself (no surprise!). David Duchovny portrays a poorly written character who embodies the stereotype of a man believing women are inherently weak and should submit to male dominance. It’s an incredibly predictable trope. While in the original film, the girls turned against each other, this sequel features a falling out that ultimately leads them to unite against a larger threat: men! To be fair, not all the men depicted are entirely negative—only about 95.6% of them are. Nevertheless, "The Craft: Legacy" isn’t really an anti-male statement but rather a clumsy depiction of the consequences of male chauvinism, which can affect both genders. The movie presents contrived and caricatured situations and characters, such as a school bully who transforms into a social justice advocate after being subjected to magic. Despite their positive intentions, the girls aren't presented as flawless individuals, and they acknowledge that they have misused their power and decide to stop. "The Craft: Legacy" isn’t a masterpiece and won’t achieve cult status like its predecessor, but it’s not the disaster people portray it to be. It should be noted that while the 1996 film included some horror elements, "Legacy" largely avoids them, becoming more of a teen drama with occasional moments of sparkly magic and an evil shapeshifting villain.

Source on TMDB