REVIEW: ‘Witchboard’ Fails To Lean Into Its Campy Promise

The thing about horror remakes and reboots is that sometimes they exceed their predecessor, are on the level of their predecessor, or they fail to capture their predecessor’s magic. In terms of Witchboard (2025), which is a remake of the cult film Witchboard (1986), it certainly won’t reach cult status anytime soon. When a remake like this one fails to be anything more than easily forgettable, that can make for a disappointing viewing experience.

Witchboard (2025) follows Emily (Madison Iseman) and the way her life unravels when she uncovers a cursed occult object in New Orleans. From there, madness regarding possession, unexplained deaths and occurrences, and a group of people seeking power ensues. The film is relatively predictable and explores the history of the cursed object, and attempts a different take on the possession aspect. Unfortunately, it’s trying to do too much, and there’s no balancing of tones throughout the film. Thus, leading to a messy end result for this remake. 

The film starts with an event from the past involving witches, an occult object, and a fight with townspeople. And then it flashes to the present day when the board is stolen by a thief and, through a series of events, is found in a wooded area by Emily. From there, Emily ends up using it without doing proper research, gets influenced by it as well as possessed, and people start dying.

A lack of balance in tones and too serious vibes keeps the film from hitting the mark.

A huge problem that the film runs into is the fact that it takes itself almost too seriously. Some horror films benefit from leaning towards being campy, especially with a premise like this one. Instead of trying to be serious and failing to execute themes surrounding power and the patriarchy properly, this film could have benefited from being intentionally funny. Especially with characters like the white-haired triplets, who are incredibly mysterious. 

Fans could say that going a different route in terms of who possesses Emily is a change of pace. But replacing the original demon with the spirit of an angry witch isn’t groundbreaking. Witchboard (2025) fails to do anything unique with the concept; this certainly isn’t like the Fear Street trilogy, which had a twist regarding its witch. Not to mention, the witch herself isn’t a fascinating character. 

One of the biggest disappointments regarding this film is knowing Chuck Russell (A Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors and The Blob) has directed some praised horror films before, but failed to hit the mark with this remake. The directing doesn’t come across as seasoned, and there’s a lack of creative spark within the script (in which Russell co-wrote), making Witchboard (2025) lacking a clear identity. This also makes it hard to care what’s happening to the characters.

In slashers, we’re not always supposed to be invested in the characters, but in a supernatural horror film, we’re often meant to worry about the possessed party. Unfortunately, in Witchboard (2025), Emily, as a character, is like any distressed woman we’ve seen before. Madison Iseman does what she can with her role, and her performance isn’t atrocious, possessed or otherwise. But Emily doesn’t break the mold as far as a possessed woman in horror that needs to be saved. 

The characters of Witchboard (2025), aside from a couple, fail to stand out in this adaptation.

Her fiancé, Christian (Aaron Dominguez), is bland and doesn’t bring much to the film, even when he’s desperate to save her. Alexander Babtiste (Jamie Campbell Bower) is a character who would’ve been more fun to follow around. Other characters could have had opportunities to stand out, but they either disappear from the film or their motivations are flimsy at best.

From a mile away, it’s clear who the core villain of this film is, and they aren’t in it enough. Instead, we’re left following Emily and those around her, trying to save her from her fate. If you close your eyes and forget that it’s a remake of Witchboard, you would have a hard time distinguishing this from the average possession film. 

In terms of visuals, score, and effects, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster. There are minor nods to the original film, and the remake incorporates some practical effects. But there are parts where the CGI is noticeable enough to folks who watch a lot of horror, and it doesn’t look great. Otherwise? The score is a bit too grand for a film that isn’t doing much that warrants it, but the sound design overall is fine. 

Witchboard (2025) doesn’t supersede the original. Even though the original is not even a perfect film, it still has a distinct identity. Comparatively, this remake does not. It works as a basic horror film you throw on to pass the time or even in the background while you’re busy with another task. If you’re fine watching generic horror remakes, you’ll get a kick out of Witchboard (2025). 

Witchboard (2025) arrives in theaters on August 15, 2025.