The Craft (1996)

Intro
"The Craft" is a 1996 American supernatural scary film directed by Andrew Fleming. It stars Neve Campbell, Rachel True, Fairuza Balk, and Robin Tunney as four high school students who use witchcraft for their personal gains however consequently deal with the unfavorable effects.

Plot Outline
The story begins with the moving of Sarah Bailey (Robin Tunney) to a Catholic preparatory school in Los Angeles following a suicide effort. Sarah has a natural telekinetic present and is quickly targeted by a trio of women, namely Rochelle (Rachel True), Bonnie (Neve Campbell), and Nancy (Fairuza Balk), who are practicing witches seeking a fourth member for their rituals.

The Practice of Witchcraft
As the new member of their group, Sarah and the trio begin to practice magic more effectively. They invoke the spirit of a powerful deity, Manon, and each woman targets particular spells associating with their individual concerns. Rochelle uses magic to counter racial bias, Bonnie to eradicate her physical scars, Nancy to obtain power, and Sarah to be loved by a football jock called Chris.

The Downside of Magic
Quickly, the girls' spells take a devastating turn, as they begin to manifest negative side effects. Chris becomes excessively consumed with Sarah, Nancy's new power drives her insane, Bonnie becomes conceited and vain due to her newfound charm, and Rochelle's bully becomes bald as a repercussion of attempted revenge.

Nancy's Descent into Madness
Driven by her new powers, Nancy kills Chris and frames Sarah for his death. When Sarah attempts to revoke their magic, Nancy implicates her of betrayal. Subsequently, Nancy utilizes a glamour binding spell to make Bonnie and Rochelle believe Sarah is the opponent to turn them versus her.

Climactic Confrontation
Sarah, determined to stop Nancy, invokes the spirit of Manon and is given effective magic. This ensues in a fight in between Sarah and the trio. Sarah binds Nancy from doing harm to herself and others, causing Nancy's insanity culminating in her admission to a psychiatric healthcare facility.

Conclusion
In the end, Bonnie and Rochelle lose their powers as a repercussion for misusing them. Sarah, nevertheless, keeps her powers retained due to her responsible usage throughout. The story concludes with the lesson that magic, just like any other power, if misused, can cause devastating repercussions.

Effect and Reception
"The Craft" highlights styles of female empowerment, abuse of power, and checks out relatable teenage issues such as self-esteem, bullying, and bias. Considered a cult classic, it stays a popular option for audiences who delight in the blend of scary and teen drama. The film was favored for its portrayal of the darker side of magic and the consequences that come with its misuse. It was successful enough to lead to a standalone sequel, "The Craft: Legacy", in 2020.

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