Something Wicked This Way Comes

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TheMovieSearch R Something Wicked This Way Comes is a cinematic disaster that manages to take an intriguing premise and completely dismantle it through confusion, poor direction, and lifeless storytelling. I went in expecting something dark, mysterious, and possibly whimsical—especially considering the legacy of Ray Bradbury’s source material—but what I got was a messy, incoherent attempt at fantasy horror that fails on nearly every level. It’s one of those rare cases where you almost feel bad for the talented people involved because you can tell they had no idea what kind of movie they were actually making. The biggest issue lies squarely with the direction. It’s as if the filmmaker couldn’t decide whether to lean into the eerie fairytale tone or play it as a psychological thriller, so instead, they awkwardly hover in the middle. Scenes that should feel tense or imaginative just come off as sloppy and confusing, and any sense of pacing or rhythm is completely missing. You can tell there were creative differences or uncertainty behind the camera, because the final product feels like three different movies stitched together with no clear vision. The screenplay doesn’t help either. It’s one of the most unbalanced, back-and-forth scripts I’ve seen in a film of this type. The dialogue feels stilted, the emotional moments fall completely flat, and the transitions between scenes are so jarring it’s hard to stay invested in what’s happening. It’s almost as if every interesting idea introduced gets immediately undercut by poor execution or overwritten exposition. By the halfway mark, you’re not even trying to follow the plot anymore—you’re just hoping it will end soon. The acting, unfortunately, is just as lost as the writing. The characters are one-dimensional, their motivations unclear, and their chemistry nonexistent. Even seasoned actors seem confused about their purpose within the story. It’s hard to connect with anyone when the film doesn’t give them a single memorable or grounded moment. At times, it almost feels like you’re watching a bad stage play translated directly to film without any of the polish or nuance needed to make it work on screen. What makes Something Wicked This Way Comes even more disappointing is that it could have been great. The concept—an eerie carnival arriving in a small town with sinister intent—is pure cinematic gold. But the filmmakers squandered every opportunity to make it suspenseful or magical. Instead, it’s hollow, directionless, and visually dull. Even the effects, which could have helped save it, feel dated and unconvincing, adding to the overall sense of cheapness that hangs over the entire production. By the end, it’s clear this film belongs in the "what went wrong" category of movie history. Whether it was poor leadership, weak writing, or just total creative misalignment, Something Wicked This Way Comes is a painful reminder that even good ideas can be destroyed by bad filmmaking. It’s not just disappointing—it’s exhausting to watch. If you’re curious, skip this version and read the novel instead; it’s the only way to experience the story the way it was meant to be told. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/13/25 Full Review Marcus G “Something Wicked This Way Comes” is a wickedly spooky treat that suitably captures the source material’s eerie aesthetics and mature themes. While it may not be a completely faithful and groundbreaking adaptation, this Disney horror film offers a creepily enjoyable narrative that balances a cautionary look at temptation with a subtly heartfelt tale about confronting one’s fears. The result is far from perfect, as its desires were overshadowed by some iffy dialogue, restrained elements, and scare-free moments. Nonetheless, it’s another piece of family-friendly horror that’s tempting enough for me to visit more often every Halloween. Jonathan Pryce delivered a chillingly impressive performance as Mr. Dark, supported by a solid cast. Jack Clayton’s directorial approach instills a solid sense of dread and discomfort throughout the film’s atmosphere and creepy visuals. Along with some striking imagery and James Horner’s haunting score, the film is a worthy display of sinister woes and dark fantasy that fits within Disney’s “Dark Ages” era. If you haven’t seen it yet or want to revisit it, the film is available on Disney+ for your spooky viewing pleasure. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/31/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 34 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/30/25 Full Review Ron F. Super creepy cautionary tale about being careful what you wish for! One of my favorite Halloween movies ❤️‍🔥 Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/28/25 Full Review Kyle G Absolutely loved this movie. One of the most satisfying climaxes I've seen in a while. Jonathan Pryce was excellent in this role and I loved every second he was on screen. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/19/25 Full Review Tony Z Disney should never have been the studio to make this movie. Ray Bradbury's novel is seriously scary and deeply probing of the turn into adolescence. This movie is tedious, never scary and had none of the deep characters of the book - because why would Disney want anything to do with this story? What a waste. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 10/01/25 Full Review Read all reviews

Something Wicked This Way Comes

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