Ep 152 - THE CRAFT (1996): 30 YEARS OF "Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board!"

THE CRAFT (1996) d. Andrew Fleming (USA) THE CRAFT: LEGACY (2020) d. Zoe Lister-Jones (USA) Directed by Andrew Fleming and written by Peter Filardi, The Craft follows four teenage girls, Sarah (Robin Tunney), Rochelle (Rachel True), Bonnie (Neve Campbell), and Nancy (Fairuza Balk) who form a coven and discover that their growing magical abilities come with consequences. While the film delivers memorable scares and thrills, its enduring appeal comes from its exploration of friendship, alienation, power, and the desire to belong. Long before social media popularized modern witch aesthetics, The Craft introduced many young viewers to imagery and themes associated with contemporary paganism and occult traditions. Its fashion—dark clothing, chokers, platform shoes, and gothic-inspired looks—helped define a generation of alternative style and continues to influence fashion trends today. At a time when many horror movies focused on female characters primarily as victims, The Craft gave its protagonists agency, ambition, and complexity. The story's examination of how power can corrupt remains one of its most compelling elements, adding depth beyond the typical teen horror formula. While also a commercial success at the time of its release, The Craft has gone on to achieve true cult-classic status, celebrated for its memorable performances, quotable dialogue, and distinctive atmosphere. Its influence is strongly felt in popular culture with books, TV shows, and movies about witches, female friendships, and supernatural empowerment thriving today, ensuring that its legacy remains as powerful as ever. Join AC and his all-powerful panel of guests (Dino Clark, Anna Maurya, Jennifer Olson, Jordy Sirken) as we celebrate 30 years of THE CRAFT!! ------------------------------------------ DINO CLARK has been a horror fan since he was a wee lad, after his parents bought their first VCR in the mid-80s. Born and raised in Chicago, he loves attending horror cons & chatting about his fave horror films with fellow fans! He has been in Human Resources for most of his career, which can be a mini-horror movie at times. ANNA MAURYA is a film fan stuck in Ohio. They have been a guest on Raiders of the Podcast, a contributor to Hidden Horror, and they generally dislike writing about themselves in the third person. JENNIFER OLSON is a lifelong horror fan and mother of three monster kids. She is a former member of The Flint Horror Con, and currently part of the Synapse Films street team! JORDY SIRKEN is the horror-obsessed critic behind Jordy Reviews It (jordyreviewsit.com). Slashers, creature features, paranormal haunts, and everything in between, she's an avid fan of the macabre, and a HUGE enthusiast of practical effects. Since 2015, she's been reviewing genre films and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @jordyreviewsit -------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!