Tarot (2024) spoiler free review
Your fate is in the cards. “Tarot” is a American supernatural horror film from 2024. It was written and directed by Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg, marking their directorial debut in feature films, and co-written by Nicholas Adams. The movie is adapted from Nicholas Adams’ 1992 novel, “Horrorscope.”
In January 2024, the film originally titled “Horrorscope” was renamed to “Tarot.” Initially set for release on June 28, 2024, the date was advanced to May 10, 2024. Eventually, the release date was moved up by a week and released it by Sony Pictures Releasing in the United States on May 3, 2024.
When a group of friends recklessly violates the sacred rule of Tarot readings, they unknowingly unleash an unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate and end up in a race against death.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Harriet Slater as Haley, Jacob Batalon as Paxton, Avantika Vandanapu as Paige, Adain Bradley as Grant, Humberly González as Madelyn, Wolfgang Novogratz as Lucas, Larsen Thompson as Elise, and Olwen Fouéré as Ms. Astryn.
My opinion
During a stay on a rented mansion to celebrate a birthday, a group of friends – Haley, Grant, Paxton, Paige, Madeline, Lucas, and Elise – distract themselves by reading horoscopes with tarot cards found in the basement, despite Haley mentioning it goes against Tarot rules using someone else’s deck. Each friend receives a different card, leading to dark revelations about their fate. After the readings begin to come true, the group has no choice but to get to the bottom of the matter and put a stop to it before it’s too late.
Tarot is a PG-13 fast paced supernatural horror film that lacks development and originality. Using all the well known tricks and tropes in horror, like jump scares and a group of college friends taking dumb decisions, this film turns into another generic horror. Having similarities with the Final Destination franchise and Stay Alive (2006) is not hard to predict what will happen. Unfortunately, this film can’t be saved by a cast that tries too hard to make the script work.
On a brighter side, the character’s design of the major arcana that are brought to life and haunts the group are scary and effective. Sadly, they’re aren’t used to their max potential probably due to the PG-13 rating that limits their power and abilities of being bloody and ruthless killers. Tarot had a good concept up their sleeve that, if done properly, could have become a good and enjoyable horror movie.