#the-craft — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #the-craft, aggregated by home.social.
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Why the 90s Movie ‘The Craft’ Still Resonates with Millennial Women
For young women, uniqueness, independence and presenting a certain difference to the norm were qualities often frowned upon – right from the dawn of mankind through to the decadent, sometimes very sexist 1980s. But in the 1990s, a myriad versions of the female and the feminine began taking shape, reflected both on television and in film. ‘The Craft’ was one film that both reflected and inspired the way women could reclaim their power – not just in image, and not just through magic.
Story by Siân Alison
“We are the weirdos, Mister.”
This film quote captures the teenage experience perfectly, especially in the 1990s. For millions of millennial women, The Craft isn’t just a 90s cult movie, it’s a time capsule to that specific decade. It was a story about friendship, belonging and discovering that being different didn’t have to be a weakness; indeed, it ought to be seen as a strength. Nearly thirty years later, the themes of The Craft still resonate, proving that the film’s real magic was never witchcraft at all, but its understanding of what it meant to grow up feeling like an outsider.
Released in 1996, The Craft followed four teenage girls brought together by loneliness, rejection and a fascination with witchcraft. On the surface, it was a stylish supernatural thriller but beneath the spells, magic and black lace, was a surprisingly honest exploration of identity and the desire to belong.
Those themes in the 1990s felt painfully familiar to most teenagers, it’s a reminder of school corridors, misunderstood friendships, teenage insecurities and the comforting idea that maybe the outcasts could have a little power, too. Long before social media gave every niche community a place to gather, finding people who accepted you wasn’t always easy. The Craft explored something many teenagers desperately wanted which was finding people and friends who understood you. Sarah, Nancy, Bonnie and Rochelle weren’t the popular girls, they were the girls who existed on the outside looking in, and as an adult it’s easy to understand why the film became so popular. Millennials who grew up in the ’90s will probably remember what that felt like;in the 1990s you weren’t expected to be unique or different, you were supposed to fit in and blend.
The girls in the movie found strength in each other, embraced and encouraged one another’s talents. This is just one of the reasons the film still resonates today. Unlike many teen films of the era, The Craft didn’t shy away from difficult subjects. Bullying, racism, body image, abuse and self-harm weren’t just plot stories to create drama; they shaped the characters and the choices they made. Watching the film today, those themes remain strikingly relevant and still shocking.
The film also celebrated individuality long before it became fashionable, and certainly a different style to the Barbie-pink aesthetic of eras that preceded it. Black lipstick, kohl eyeliner, silver jewellery and gothic fashion weren’t presented as something to apologise for, they were part of the characters’ identity. Decades before social media embraced alternative aesthetics, The Craft suggested there was strength in refusing to conform.
Perhaps the film’s greatest strength, however, lies in its portrayal of female friendship. One of the reasons the film has aged so well is that it never presents female friendship as simple but, more truthfully, complicated. The characters support and protect each other, but they also become jealous, competitive and destructive. Looking back as adults, it’s that complexity that feels so believable. The Craft understood that friendship can be both a source of strength and a source of pain.
As teenagers, many viewers were captivated by the magic but watching it now, it’s the emotional message that stands out. Each girl turns to witchcraft hoping it will solve the problems that dominate adolescence, popularity, beauty, revenge, acceptance and love. Instead, the film reminds us that shortcuts rarely bring happiness and that power without self-awareness can quickly become destructive. That said, witchcraft with real intent can do wonders in achieving what one truly wants. Sometimes with a catch.
Nancy’s story is perhaps the clearest example. Played by Fairuza Balk, her character’s power very quickly gives her confidence and control, but it also isolates her. She becomes consumed by the very thing she believed would save her.
It’s a surprisingly mature message for what many people remember simply as a supernatural teen film. There is a great lesson we learned as teenagers and that was realising that power isn’t always freedom, and using shortcuts to solve problems can come with consequences.
The film also asks a timeless question… What happens when power becomes more important than happiness?
It’s a question that still feels remarkably relevant today. Part of The Craft‘s lasting appeal also comes from its timing. It belongs to a world before smartphones, social media and influencers shaping teenage life (albeit often negatively). Watching the film today feels like opening an old photo album. The fashion, the music and the teenage bedrooms instantly transport millennials back to an era when friendships were built face-to-face and Friday nights often meant a trip to the video rental shop rather than scrolling through endless streaming options.
That’s a reason why the film continues to attract new audiences while remaining so deeply nostalgic for those who grew up with it. Its visual style still feels iconic, but it’s the themes beneath the surface that have given it such remarkable staying power. Identity, belonging, friendship and self-acceptance aren’t ideas that belong solely to the 1990s or only to teenage girls; they’re experiences that every generation understands.
Today, The Craft remains far more than a cult classic. It reminds us that growing up isn’t about becoming someone else to fit in; it’s about finding the people who make you realise you never had to. It’s nice to revisit a film that reminded an entire generation of outsiders that being different wasn’t something to fear.
That’s the real magic of The Craft, and it’s why millennials continue to return to it decades later.
You can stream ‘The Craft’ free on SBS On Demand or Tubi, and the film is also available to view on Paramount+ and Netflix.
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#1990TheCraft #CREAMMAGAZINE #FairuzaBalk #FILM #FionaHorne #generationX #generationY #millennials #POPCULTURE #SiânAlison #TELEVISION #the90sLook #the90sVibe #theCraft #theCraftFilm #witchcraft #witchcraftInAustralia #witchcraftInTheUs -
The bit that you skip #177: The Smiths – How Soon is Now?
A song with a strange lifecycle. Originally a B-side to William it was really nothing, How Soon is Now? carved a place of its own on indie darlings and their mixtapes. A song that you could dance alone to, specially if you were as terminally shy as the narrator. Sonically, it’s a far stride from what The Smiths were peddling. Jangly guitars, tambourine, and a slightly distant mixing now were replaced by studio trickery, tremolos, and a slick production.
Nothing wrong on both styles of The Smiths. They can coexist. The styles, not the band, though.
Always feels weird how so many classic bands like Joy Division, The Beatles, and The Smiths had songs with major appeal that weren’t on albums. Sure, the US edition of Meat is Murder has How Soon is Now? but for the United Kingdom, it was there, sandwiched between William it was really nothing and Please, please, please let me get what I want (at least on the 12 inch edition).
I was too young to “get” The Smiths when they were on radio. And to be honest, I think I was too much into The Cure or Depeche Mode to go for the poetic intimacy of The Smiths. What piqued my interest was Love Spit Love’s deft cover for The Craft, a movie almost all Gen Xer was attracted due to its cast and college radio friendly soundtrack.
Then This is England had Clayhill’s heartwrenching cover of Please Please Please let me get what I want. Then I really paid attention to The Smiths. It finally sink to me its importance. I remember going a few times to The Cookie Club in Nottingham on the gothic night, seeing people happily dancing by themselves listening to great tracks and not a single time was How Soon is Now? spared from being on the playlist.
I’ve mentioned before that you can accumulate a pile of “I’ll listen/read/watch later” stuff in your life and I know it’s unreasonable to believe you’ll be able to consume all of it. But start today, do a little bit. A page or two. An episode or two. Half an hour (or an act). A couple of songs. Never get stuck into a rut, listen to something new today, even if it was released decades ago. You won’t regret expanding your tastes.
-Sam J. Valdés López
https://youtu.be/hnpILIIo9ek?si=IF1lYf2SSm_-KpWs
#HatfulOfHollow #HowSoonIsNow #LoveSpitLove #music #Nottingham #Review #Reviews #Rock #TheCookieClub #TheCraft #TheSmiths #writing -
𝐑encontre 𝐈mprobable
𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐞𝐧𝐲 𝐕ersus 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐊𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐫
#RencontreImprobable #CaileeSpaeny #AlienRomulus #FedeÁlvarez
#FreddyKrueger #ANightmareOnElmStreet #RobertEnglund #WesCraven
#PacificRim2 #BadTimesAtTheElRoyale #Vice #TheCraft #HowItEnds
#Priscilla #CivilWar #Alien #WakeUpDeadMan #DeepCuts
#cinegenres #culte #classic #cinema #film #movie𝐕ersions 𝐂omplètes :
https://cinegenres.com/news/ -
Movies of the day (4/8) 🎬 The Craft(1996) 🎬 Pokémon Detective Pikachu(2019) 🎬 A Dog's Journey(2019) 🎬 Terrified(2018) © TMDB #TheCraft #PokémonDetectivePikachu #ADogsJourney #Terrified #Action #Adventure #Drama #Family #Fantasy #Horror #Movie #MovieOfTheDay #OnThisDay #TMDB
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𝐏ersonnalité de la 𝐒emaine
𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐞𝐧𝐲
Actrice Américaine Née en 1998𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐞𝐧𝐲 est une Actrice à suivre!
#CaileeSpaeny #PacificRim2 #BadTimesAtTheElRoyale
#Vice #TheCraft #HowItEnds #Priscilla #CivilWar #Alien #AlienRomulus #WakeUpDeadMan #DeepCuts #EldenRing #cinegenres #culte #classic #cinema #film #movie𝐕ersions 𝐂omplètes :
https://cinegenres.com/news/𝐅ilmographie :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ryK03eY8L4 -
► https://FunHouseRadio.com <- TUNE IN
Try the stream for more laughs!
#meme #memes #rockyhorror #thecraft -
The man lies and tells everyone that you are the worst lay he's ever had when you only barely kissed, and you're still pining over him? Sarah, I don't care if Nancy fucks with you. How many times does she warn you, you fool? You drink of your sisters, indeed!
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How did I not remember that the first thing we see Sarah do with her powers is kill a homeless man? She's supposed to be the sweet one, good one.
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Treating myself to #TheCraft tonight. I may be posting a lot about it. It is a perfect movie and Fairuza Balk is everything as Nancy.
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I wanted to watch THE CRAFT last night to celebrate the anniversary of its release, but it's not on any streaming service — subscription or ad-supported.
You have to pay Apple or Amazon $4 for a VOD rental.
I'm used to this w/ obscure classics, but this is a 1996 film.
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Since this is often a component of "new year" activities, here is a little talk about "manifesting".
A lot of people weigh in on the subject of manifesting without actually knowing what it is or how to do it. (thanks to *that book which, no, I have not read and don't intend to)
People have accused those that practice this with success or encourage the concept of doing it with ableism, classism, etc. Those that say that could not be more wrong. People that have not either attempted or been successful at a manifestation do not understand it. They have not learned nor been taught how to do it.
Manifesting is not hoping, wishing, thinking or even believing for or of a desire. It is the manipulation of resources including energy, people, places, locations, timing, and opportunity to align the processes that create the desired outcome.
The most important thing to understand when manifesting anything is that you are not creating a new thing, only moving things around in the universe. If you desire money, then someone has to give up that same money. Trying to manifest "riches" could result in someone you love dying and leaving you an inheritance. The unintended consequences of reckless manifestation is your peril. You must think through each detail and be very specific how, when, who, what is changed to enact your desire. When you learn to see the world around you, detect every resource and opportunity, use every option, and be able to start a long string of consequences, then you have started down the path of manifesting.
People all over the world use this type of energy manipulation but not everyone wants or desires the same things. A person in one country might want to manifest a house for themselves and their family or maybe a fancy vacation. A person in a different country might want to manifest a large enough meal to feed not only themselves but their neighbours for one night. To say that manifesting cannot work because there are poor people or sick people everywhere in the world is to completely miss the point. You can never know other's deepest desires or needs by looking at the world through the lens of your own life.
To be truly successful at this kind of magical practice you have to know how to do energy work. Using the energies of the Earth to effect change in your immediate environment is the first step. This practice takes months or years to learn to use effectively. Correctly using meditation and stillness, learning to hear the sounds within silence, to feel the vibrations of every object are necessary parts of this kind of magic. Next you have to develop a keen sense of situational awareness, be able to sense the logical path of a motion, detect the probably outcome of an action. You have to be able to read signs, see the value in a resource, be able to put random events into motion. You have to be able to know when to say yes and when to say no. You have to be able to detect danger in one path and success in another.
This kind of intense awareness does not work if drugs or alcohol or present. (you can't meditate after 3 glasses of wine- you'll just fall asleep) Every country, every culture has magic workers. It takes a lot of practice and that comes easier to some than others. But if you want to change your life or have needs that are not being met, you do have the power. You can learn the craft of manifestation. It takes work, dedication and deep self-awareness. What you end up getting might not be exactly what you started out desiring but it might be the best thing for you in the end.
#Witchcraft #Manifesting #TheCraft #Meditation #EarthEnergies #WitchCrafting #Magic
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I thought I'd try out some homemade paper (link is below). I figured Nancy Downs from "The Craft" would be a good subject to test out this paper. It's also suitably Halloweeny.
Initial impression is that I like the look and feel. The only drawback is it's not great for any sort of rough erasure. But I think I'm going to like it overall.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09...
#NancyDowns #TheCraft #drawing #MastoArt
24x Replay:
https://youtu.be/vHwLb4vT2moYT Short:
https://youtube.com/shorts/MCHjUkB1geA See less -
#Iwatched #TheCraft (1996) and let's be honest: This was #Clueless (1995) with witches and magic. Not a bad thing. The hedonistic materialism of Clueless could do with a darker counterpoint. But The Craft takes its magical shenanigans a lot more serious than its characters, who do whatever increasingly questionable routes the plot takes them. Until the good clean girl is empowered and the broken punk girl safely secured in a psychiatry and everyone's learned their lesson. Bleh.
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The Craft is on #Criterion this month. Still as good as when I remember it as a teenager. Scratches a certain itch of that inner witchy side still in me.
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#TheCraft, 1996, directed by #AndrewFleming and starring #FairuzaBalk, is currently part of the #HighSchoolHorror collection on #TheCriterionChannel.
It was better than I expected, mostly because of #Fairuza's performance and is a rare #movie with four #female leads, who all behave badly (to very different extent, but still).
Not great #cinema, but good fun, for me, even with the bugs.
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"We are the weirdos, mister" by Talia Outwrong (talzir)
🔗 https://feminerds.tumblr.com/
🔗 https://www.redbubble.com/people/taliaAF/shop#quotes #movies #film #TheCraft #tattoo #art #TattooArt #artwork
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Just watched The Craft: Legacy. Even though I am not a hardcore fan of the original it's still fun. And this sequel succeeds where it is supposed to be fun buuuuut fails at everything else.
#Letterboxd #FilmMastodon #MastodonFilm #TheCraft
https://letterboxd.com/jannefantastic/film/the-craft-legacy/