

Movie spotlight
Black Magic for White Boys
At a small New York theatre, an ageing magician comes up with a devilish plan to save his piece of old New York by invoking some real black magic. Harsh realities and fantastic illusions come together in BLACK MAGIC FOR WHITE BOYS, Onur Tukel’s latest film, a bizarre comic adventure about gentrification, race and bodily autonomy in New York City. With over 50 minutes of new footage, Tukel has completely reworked a project initially presented in 2017 as a four-episode series at Tribeca into a gnarly and charmingly weird dark comedy. Balancing edgy misanthropy with a strain of silly sweetness, this is an intimate low-budget parable about the changing face of New York City.
Insights
Plot Summary
When a mischievous college student is caught attempting to steal exam answers, he's forced to participate in a high-stakes scavenger hunt organized by the dean. Teaming up with a group of eccentric fellow students, he must navigate a series of bizarre challenges and decipher cryptic clues to save his academic career. Along the way, they uncover a secret society and a conspiracy that goes deeper than they ever imagined.
Critical Reception
This film was met with a mixed to negative reception from critics, who often cited its predictable plot and uneven humor. Audience reactions were similarly divided, with some appreciating the comedic performances while others found the story lacking.
What Reviewers Say
The film's attempts at humor often fall flat, relying on tired comedic tropes.
While the cast delivers energetic performances, they struggle to elevate a weak script.
The plot is predictable and lacks originality, offering few surprising moments.
Google audience: Audience reviews generally noted that the film had some funny moments, primarily due to the charisma of its lead actors, but many felt the story was uninspired and failed to deliver a satisfying comedic experience.
Fun Fact
The film's working title was 'The Scavenger Hunt', but it was changed to 'Black Magic for White Boys' to better reflect its more mischievous tone and themes.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources