When a group of friends recklessly violates the sacred rule of Tarot readings—never use someone else’s deck—they unknowingly unleash an unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate and end up in a race against death to escape the future foretold in their readings.

Themes and Analysis:

• Cursed Fate: The film explores the consequences of meddling with supernatural forces and the inescapable destiny that awaits the characters.
• Friendship and Betrayal: The group dynamics and how trust unravels under pressure are central themes.
• Fear of the Unknown: The fear of what lies beyond our control drives the tension.

Character Development:

Unfortunately, “Tarot” falls short in this aspect. The characters remain clichéd and make questionable decisions throughout the film.

Director’s Style:

Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg attempt to shake up the familiar horror curse formula by introducing a slightly different method of how the characters get cursed and killed. However, the execution lacks originality and consistency.

Acting Performances:

• Harriet Slater (Lead): Mediocre acting, failing to evoke genuine fear.
• Adain Bradley: Adequate but not memorable.
• Jacob Batalon: His performance stands out, injecting some life into the film.

Technical Aspects:

• Creature Designs: Unfortunately, they feel derivative and lack true tension.
• Jump Scares: The movie relies heavily on jump scares, but they become predictable.
• PG-13 Rating: Limits the impact of the scares and gore.

Strengths:

• Delightful Kills: The film delivers consistently entertaining death scenes.
• Magician Kill Scene: Particularly well-executed.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of Originality: The film cribs from better horror franchises.
• Cheesy Execution: The potential for a great horror movie is undermined by its execution.
• Character Development: Minimal growth or depth.

Recommendation: Tarot 2024

Tarot is an uneven horror film. While it offers some thrills and inventive kills, its lack of originality and weak character development hold it back. If you’re a fan of PG-13 horror and enjoy jump scares, it might be worth a watch. Otherwise, consider skipping it.