Cursed Review

Cursed
There's a werewolf stalking the Hollywood Hills and, after a highly unpleasant encounter with the beast, TV PR Ellie (Ricci) and her dorky brother (Eisenberg) find themselves developing strange new physical powers and irresistible sexual allure. The bad news? They're both now lycanthropes themselves...

by William Thomas |
Published on
Release Date:

22 Apr 2005

Running Time:

97 minutes

Certificate:

15

Original Title:

Cursed

You'd think that the Scream team of director Wes Craven and writer Kevin Williamson would be on safe ground here. Given their track record, a groovy little werewolf flick with its tongue firmly in its cheek should be meat and drink to Wes and Kev by now.

Well, there is some fun to be had if you're in an undemanding frame of mind. The dependably weird Ricci, with her baleful gaze and pale, lunar expanse of forehead, is perfectly cast as a feeble TV publicist transformed into a minxy mantrap after being mauled by a werewolf. The peppering of arch references is present and correct (Lon Chaney's Wolf Man makes a guest appearance in wax effigy) and Scott Baio turns in a delightfully squirm-inducing cameo as a sleazed-up version of himself.

On the downside, though, Cursed drastically confuses not taking itself too seriously with being downright silly. There's some howlingly awful dialogue and, at the crucial moments, the special effects are shoddy. Giving your CG scare-babe centre-stage when you've clearly got ILM dreams and a pantomime-horse budget is a big mistake - and Craven should know that better than anyone.

Despite the pedigree, what should have been a killer B turns out instead to be a bit of a buzz-kill.
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