Retro Film Review: Cursed (2005)

In mid 1990s Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson revitalised the horror genre in Hollywood with their film Scream. A dercade later it appeared that these two individuals were on the brink of once again reshaping the horror genre, only by ruining it. This perception may stem from their 2005 collaboration, Cursed, penned by Williamson and helmed by Craven.

The plot unfolds in Los Angeles, where television producer Ellie Myers (portrayed by Christina Ricci) cares for her teenage brother Jimmy (played by Jesse Eisenberg) following their parents' demise. One fateful night on Mullholland Drive, they find themselves entangled in a traffic mishap that spirals into a more sinister turn of events, resulting in a brutal murder and two individuals being bitten. While Ellie attempts to brush off the incident, Jimmy notices inexplicable changes in his physique and behaviour, transforming him from a high school nerd into a jock. Convinced they are on the brink of becoming werewolves, Jimmy believes the only way to break the curse is to hunt down and eliminate the werewolf that infected them.

There is a growing consensus, even among the most sympathetic critics, that Cursed stands as one of the lowest points in the careers of Craven and Williamson. What once seemed innovative a decade earlier has devolved into a formulaic blend of clichés, shallow pop culture nods, and predictable plot twists that fail to captivate even the most novice viewer. Adding to the disappointment is the squandered talent - Judy Greer's otherwise effective comedic skills are nearly overshadowed by her grating and humourless character, coupled with vacuous dialogue. The remaining cast members lack enthusiasm for their roles. Craven's direction often lacks inspiration, save for a standout scenewhere the character played by pop singer Mya falls victim to a werewolf attack.

On the flip side, Craven and Williamson do have some arguments in defence of their reputation. The production was marred by technical challenges, creative clashes, cast members walking off set, frequent reshoots and edits, as well as negative feedback from test screenings. Ultimately, the studio opted to trim the film to secure a PG-13 rating, inadvertently adding to its confusion and allowing Craven and Williamson to distance themselves from the project. Nevertheless, a film that necessitates such extensive justifications hardly merits an audience's attention.

RATING: 2/10 (-)

(Note: Original version of the review is available here.)

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