Fates Foretold: Terror Through Tarot Film Review

Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of fate as characters navigate the harrowing (and sometimes hilarious) twists of a cursed tarot deck

Despite the slew of negative reviews that have surfaced since the release of the new film Tarot  at the beginning of May, critics are branding it as "disappointing," "silly supernatural," and laden with Gen-Z humor. However, what some fail to recognize is that the origins of this film are loosely based on a teenage book titled Horrorscope by Nicholas Adams. The movie's premise is tailored to be a teen scream flick, with clever nuances setting it apart from the gory, grown-up trends of modern horror. Since it's not worth critiquing the film by adult horror standards, let's leave our judgments for the Justice card, shall we?

Directed by Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg, what sets Tarot apart is its ingenious incorporation of the dark sides of the Tarot cards, which come alive to haunt the characters in the most chilling ways imaginable. With a touch of comical teen humor and witty lines, the film strikes a nice balance between scares and laughs, making it an entertaining watch.

The film's high production quality is evident throughout, from its creepy cinematography to its gripping storyline. As the characters uncover the dark history behind the mysterious Tarot deck, audiences are drawn deeper into a world of ancient curses and unrelenting terror. The Tarot reader, Hayley (played by Harriet Slater), leads a talented cast, delivering a performance that captures the fear and desperation of a group facing an otherworldly threat.

Tarot is a must-watch for horror enthusiasts (and Tarot readers) seeking a fresh take on the genre. With its creative edge and spine-tingling thrills, this film is sure to leave audiences jumping from their seats in surprise and possibly wanting their cards read (or not) in the future.

And what review would be complete without delving into the Tarot card connections showcased in the film? (Check out the breakdown listed below).

Spoilers Ahead: Connecting the Terror to the Actual Tarot

Each depiction of the Major Arcana cards in the movie, Tarot, adds depth and complexity to the narrative, weaving together themes of fate, destiny, and the consequences of tampering with forces beyond human comprehension.

Here's a list highlighting how each of the Major Arcana cards (and one Minor Arcana) is depicted in the film Tarot:

✨ The High Priestess: Embodying the dark secrets and mysteries associated with this card, The High Priestess is portrayed as a screeching, blindfolded figure haunting the attic who violently attacks Elise with a ladder.

✨ The Hermit: Representing isolation and introspection taken to a dangerous extreme, The Hermit appears as a menacing presence at an empty train station and ultimately leads to Lucas' demise as he tries to escape.

✨ The Hanged Man: Showcasing the themes of sacrifice and surrender taken to a horrifying extreme, The Hanged Man manifests as a terrifying entity on a bridge that stalks and ultimately kills Madeline as she runs for her life.

✨ The Fool: Symbolizing recklessness and naivety leading to peril, The Fool, depicted as a creepy jester that torments Paxton, leads to a chilling confrontation in an elevator stuck on the top floor.

✨ The Magician: Embodying manipulation and illusion with deadly consequences, the Magician becomes an evil entertainer, luring Paige into the basement and eventually the stage where she meets her gruesome fate.

✨ The Devil: Symbolizing bondage and materialism, The Devil is portrayed as a terrifying antagonist who confronts Grant, leading to a harrowing struggle for survival.

✨ Death: Embodying transformation and letting go of the past, Death represents an unavoidable force that haunts Haley throughout the film with her mother's passing and confronts her in a climactic showdown with the film's antagonist.

✨ Six of Swords: Alma, an expert on the occult, draws the Six of Swords from the deck when confronting the antagonist (the Astrologer). This symbolizes Alma's decades-long journey through the treacherous waters of knowledge and occult mysteries to track down the sinister secrets of the box of Tarot cards. Unfortunately, Alma falls victim to the very forces she tried to comprehend, meeting her death with six swords piercing her back. This grim event sheds more light on the twisted power of the cursed Tarot deck, which relentlessly targets those who stand against it. It serves as a stark reminder of the perilous outcomes of meddling with forces beyond human understanding

Sequels Ahead for Tarot II?

What truly sets Tarot apart is its potential for a sequel, hinted at by the introduction of just a handful of the Major Arcana cards and their corresponding characters. The film lays the groundwork for a rich and immersive universe, teeming with tantalizing possibilities for future installments. Imagine delving deeper into the mystical realm of the Tarot, where each card holds its own dark secrets and untold stories waiting to be unleashed.

For example, could more of these Tarot cards manifest as horrifying characters in a potential sequel?:

🎬 Tarot Card III - The Sinister Empress: The Empress utilizes her power of growth to ensnare her victims, suffocating them in a web of vines that constrict tighter with every struggle. She may even use her shield as a deadly weapon, wielding it with lethal precision to decapitate those who dare to oppose her. One of the protagonists in the sequel, haunted by the specter of an overbearing mother, could find themselves ensnared in the Empress' grasp, ultimately meeting their death at the hands of the helicopter parent they could never escape.

🎬 Tarot Card IV - The Tyrannical Emperor: The Emperor morphs into a tyrant of unparalleled cruelty and oppression. Clad in impenetrable armor, he unleashes his iron fist upon his enemies, crushing them with brutish force and leaving destruction in his wake. Alternatively, consumed by rage, he explodes with unbridled fury, unleashing a devastating blast that obliterates everything in its path. One of our protagonists in the sequel, plagued by unresolved daddy issues, may face the Emperor in a climactic showdown, whether through brute force or fury.

🎬Tarot Card V - The Malevolent Hierophant: In this dark incarnation, the Hierophant becomes a evil figure, wielding his authority over religion and tradition to enforce his warped will upon the world. The Hierophant's teachings become a tool of indoctrination, luring unsuspecting victims into his cult-like following where they are subjected to brutal rituals and sacrifices. One of our characters, grappling with their faith, could confront the figure in a final showdown. However, the Hierophant, wielding dark powers, could hypnotize the character and subjects them to a gruesome fate, ultimately crucifying them as a sacrifice to his barbaric beliefs.

🎬 Tarot Card VI - The Corrupted Lovers: In this twisted version, The Lovers card plays on its shadow side, embodying not love, but obsession and possession. The Corrupted Lovers ensnare their victims in a web of toxic affection, manipulating their emotions and desires to serve their own dark agenda. One of our protagonists in the sequel, haunted by a past relationship or unresolved feelings, falls prey to the allure of The Corrupted Lovers. The character could be tortured through the pains of love through flames and fire (much like the burning tree on the actual Tarot card), sealing their fate in a tragic and horrifying manner.

🎬Tarot Card VII - The Ruthless Chariot: In this dark interpretation, the Chariot embodies relentless aggression and unstoppable force. The Chariot becomes a wicked entity, charging through the night with deadly intent, leaving destruction and chaos in its wake. As our protagonists in the sequel desperately attempt to evade its pursuit, one character finds themselves cornered by the Chariot's ferocious onslaught. Despite their valiant efforts to escape, they ultimately may meet their ending at the hands of the Chariot's chaotic speed, crushed beneath its relentless advance.

🎬Tarot Card VIII or XI - The Unyielding Justice: Justice takes on a chilling new form, embodying the cold and unforgiving hand of fate. Administering judgment with ruthless efficiency, Justice becomes a relentless arbiter of punishment, showing no mercy to those who stand in her way. In a chilling confrontation, one character could find themselves cornered by an unforgiving Justice. Despite their pleas for mercy, they are swiftly met with the full weight of Justice's decree, as the scales of justice tip mercilessly against them, encountering the sword of truth as their final sentence.

With each encounter with the terrifying manifestations of the Tarot cards in a potential sequel, audiences can be taken on yet another rollercoaster ride of suspense and intrigue. As the directors search for ideas for a hopeful sequel to come, one thing is clear: the world of Tarot is ripe for further exploration and thrilling adventures, just waiting to be brought to life on the big screen.