Review: Witchboard (2025) – A Supernatural Reboot That Mostly Delivers
If you stick around long enough, you’re bound to see the films and TV shows of your youth reimagined for a new generation. More often than not, these remakes miss the mark, stripping away what made the originals iconic in favor of slick visuals and shallow storytelling (yes, Robocop, we’re looking at you). But every now and then, a filmmaker revisits the past and actually builds on it. That’s what director Chuck Russell (A Nightmare on Elm Street 3, The Mask) attempts with Witchboard, a modern reworking of the cult 1986 horror film.
Gone is the Ouija board of the original, replaced by an ominous “Witchboard” that pulls unsuspecting couple Emily (Madison Iseman) and Christian (Aaron Dominguez) into a dark and deadly game of possession, deception, and spiritual warfare. This isn’t a straight remake, Russell, who also co-wrote and produced the film, overhauls the mythology, adding a richer backstory and weaving together a basket of supernatural horror, dramatic tension, and occult mystery.
The film may not boast a massive budget, and that’s clear from the outset, some of the CGI is distractingly cheesy, and the dialogue occasionally lands with a thud. But Witchboard makes up for its flaws with an earnest effort to tell a deeper story and a pair of committed performances. Set in the evocative French Quarter of New Orleans, the film follows Emily and Christian as they settle into their newly renovated carriage house. There, Emily discovers an ancient talking board once used for spiritual divination, unaware of the sinister legacy that comes with it.
The first two-thirds of the film focus heavily on the relationship between Emily and Christian, and both Iseman (Annabelle Comes Home, Jumanji) and Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building) lean all the way into their roles. Their dynamic may not be groundbreaking, but they bring enough heart and charm to make the unfolding horrors feel personal. You want them to survive, and in a film like this, that matters.
Jamie Campbell Bower (Stranger Things) shows up as Alexander Babtiste, an occult expert with deep knowledge of the Witchboard’s twisted origins. His performance is serviceable but flat, never quite reaching the charismatic menace the role seems to call for.
Unfortunately, the film’s final act slips into overly familiar supernatural territory, leaning heavily on genre clichés and overstaying its welcome by at least 20 minutes. Still, that doesn’t derail the whole experience. There’s enough here, nostalgia, atmosphere, a few strong performances, to warrant a watch, especially for fans of the original.
Witchboard isn’t a game-changer, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a fun, creepy update that respects its source material while carving out something new. Go in with tempered expectations, and you might just find yourself pleasantly surprised.
The Avenue and Atlas Distribution will release the horror film, WITCHBOARD In Theatres on August 15, 2025
