Entertainment Blog #253 | Tarot [2024] : Horoscopes Comes True...

"Tarot" taps into the deep-seated fear of the unknown and the supernatural, weaving a chilling narrative around a seemingly harmless activity—a tarot card reading. In our everyday lives, we often encounter the allure of mysticism and the temptation to peek into the future. This film magnifies that curiosity to a deadly extent, showing how a simple act can spiral into a nightmare. The plot’s foundation lies in the universal theme of friendship strained by personal issues, and it explores how the supernatural can amplify these tensions to horrific proportions.

"Tarot" is a 2024 American supernatural horror film marking the feature directorial debuts of Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg. The film, co-written by Nicholas Adams, is based on Adams' 1992 novel "Horrorscope." Starring Harriet Slater, Adain Bradley, Avantika Vandanapu, Wolfgang Novogratz, Humberly González, Larsen Thompson, Olwen Fouéré, and Jacob Batalon, the plot centers around a group of college students who, after using a mysterious Tarot deck, begin to die gruesomely and must unravel the deck’s curse before it's too late. "Tarot" was released in the United States by Sony Pictures Releasing on May 3, 2024, and despite its intriguing premise, it received negative reviews from critics, grossing $37 million worldwide.

The story begins with a group of friends—Haley, Grant, Paxton, Paige, Madeline, Lucas, and Elise—gathering to celebrate Elise’s birthday at a rented mansion in the Catskills. As tensions brew from Haley and Grant's recent breakup, the group decides to read their horoscopes using an eerie tarot deck found in the basement. The readings, while initially amusing, quickly take a sinister turn when each friend's card ominously foreshadows their gruesome demise. Elise, who draws The High Priestess card, is the first to fall victim, setting off a chain of horrifying events.

Back on campus, the friends are hunted by manifestations of their tarot readings. Elise is brutally murdered by a monstrous High Priestess, followed by Lucas’s tragic death at a train station, which mimics The Hermit card. In desperation, they seek out Alma Astron, a tarot expert, who reveals the dark history of the cursed deck. Originating from an 18th-century Hungarian astrologer, the deck was cursed to exact vengeance on anyone who used it after a tragic prophecy led to the astrologer’s daughter’s death.

Back on campus, the friends are hunted by manifestations of their tarot readings. Elise is brutally murdered by a monstrous High Priestess, followed by Lucas’s tragic death at a train station, which mimics The Hermit card. In desperation, they seek out Alma Astron, a tarot expert, who reveals the dark history of the cursed deck. Originating from an 18th-century Hungarian astrologer, the deck was cursed to exact vengeance on anyone who used it after a tragic prophecy led to the astrologer’s daughter’s death.

What sets "Tarot" apart from other supernatural horror films is its unique incorporation of Tarot mythology and the dark historical backstory of a cursed deck. Unlike typical slasher or ghost stories, "Tarot" weaves elements of historical mysticism with modern horror, creating a distinctive narrative that explores the consequences of tampering with ancient forces. The film's period elements and the detailed lore surrounding the Tarot deck offer a refreshing twist on the genre, making it stand out despite its reception.

Critically, "Tarot" struggled to impress. On Rotten Tomatoes, it garnered only 20% positive reviews from 50 critics, with an average rating of 4.3/10. Metacritic assigned it a score of 36 out of 100 based on 12 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews. Audience reactions were similarly lukewarm, with CinemaScore polling revealing an average grade of "C–" and PostTrak showing a 59% overall positive score. Critics often cited the film's lack of originality in execution and reliance on genre clichés as major shortcomings, despite its promising concept.

At the box office, "Tarot" managed to gross $17.2 million in the United States and Canada, with an additional $20 million from other territories, totaling $37.2 million worldwide. While these figures are modest, they reflect a certain level of audience curiosity driven by the film's intriguing premise. In conclusion, "Tarot" offers an interesting take on supernatural horror with its Tarot-based storyline, but ultimately, it falls short in delivering a compelling and memorable experience. Fans of the genre might still find it worth a watch, particularly for its unique thematic elements.