"Tarot," a movie crafted in a world thriving on ominous creaking doors and dimly lit corners, presents itself as a classic bargain bin of horror motifs. Directed by the duo Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg, this mystical thriller relies heavily on the routine suspense-builder to keep the viewers hooked. The film's charm partially resides in its cast, highlighted by "Spider-Man: Homecoming" star Jacob Batalon. However, its constraints are quite visible, owing to its PG-13 rating and the absence of a diversified character pool.
Jacob Batalon steps into the shoes of Paxton, a witty character in a group of diverse college-aged friends. When this group rents a mansion and stumbles upon an array of occult items centered around a deck of hand-painted tarot cards, their curiosity leads to disastrous consequences. Friends start dying mysteriously, prompting the remaining lot to seek help, eventually learning about the curse that's hanging over them.
Unlike the plot of the 1992 novel "Horrorscope" by Nicholas Adams – from which the movie takes inspiration, the directors plot a narrative more akin to “Final Destination” and “Ten Little Indians." The story fast-tracks action without much world-building or context.
The film gives sufficient cinematic justification for the cursed deck and the havoc it wreaks on these teenagers. Their ignorance to heed clear warnings leads to their doom. Though set in a haunted mansion in "the Catskills," further context about these college students' life remains absent.
Moreover, the monotonous menace of supernatural forces in the film sacrifices suspense for tedium. The directors' over-reliance on loudburst cues to evoke fear rejects a more nuanced approach to storytelling and visual dynamism.
The movie may be critiqued for its subdued impact owing to a teenager-friendly rating, especially as it sterilizes the aftermath of brutal death scenes. Yet, it is worth noting that the young cast embodies their characters solidly, braving some occasionally cringe-inducing dialogue.
In spite of its creative limitations, "Tarot" may stand appealing for a younger audience seeking superficial horror. However, more mature viewers or those hunting for a genuine thrill might not find it as engaging.
