Something Wicked This Way Comes
Something Wicked This Way Comes

Movie spotlight

Something Wicked This Way Comes

1983
Movie
95 min
English

In a small American town, a diabolical circus arrives, granting wishes for the townsfolk, but twisted as only the esteemed Mr. Dark can make them. Can two young boys overcome the worst the devil himself can deal out?

Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes67%
Google Users74%
Director: Jack ClaytonGenres: Fantasy, Horror, Drama

Plot Summary

In Green Town, Illinois, a sinister carnival arrives, led by the enigmatic Mr. Dark. Two teenage boys, Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, become increasingly suspicious of the carnival's strange powers and its ability to prey on the townspeople's deepest desires and fears. As they investigate, they uncover the dark magic at play and must find a way to confront Mr. Dark and save their loved ones from his diabolical influence.

Critical Reception

While "Something Wicked This Way Comes" has gained a cult following over the years, its initial critical reception was mixed. Some critics praised its dark atmosphere, visual style, and performances, particularly from Jonathan Pryce and Roddy McDowall. However, others found the film's pacing slow and its narrative somewhat uneven, feeling it didn't fully capture the depth of Ray Bradbury's novel.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its eerie atmosphere and unsettling visuals.

  • Lauded for strong performances, especially from the villains.

  • Criticized by some for a meandering plot and pacing issues.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciate the film's dark fantasy elements and the creepy performances, finding it a memorable if somewhat dated Halloween-season watch. Some viewers note that it doesn't quite live up to the source material's literary depth.

Fun Fact

Ray Bradbury himself co-wrote the screenplay and was heavily involved in the production, having previously adapted his novel into a stage play.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

_**Something Slow & Dull This Way Comes**_ In 1932, a mysterious carnival comes to an Illinois town where weird things start happening and people strangely go missing. Jason Robards plays a librarian while Jonathan Pryce is on hand as th...

r96sk

r96sk

It might not be as great as it could've been, but I did enjoy watching <em>'Something Wicked This Way Comes'</em>. Jonathan Pryce definitely carries events as Mr. Dark, who is a character that suits him very nicely. I'm a fan of Pryce fr...

John Chard

John Chard

By the pricking of my thumbs... Beset by production issues, Disney being horrified by the horror of the piece and etc, Something Wicked This Way Comes proved to be a most divisive picture. Yet it's actually a spooky family friendly horro...