Tarot Review: A Spirited Dive into Supernatural Horror

by Haley May 3, 2024

In the shadowy corridors of cinematic horror, “Tarot” deals a hand that is both chilling and thrilling, yet somehow doesn’t quite deliver the full cinematic flush its premise promises. Directed by the duo Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg, this feature teeters between adolescent mischief and genuine supernatural terror, creating an eerie atmosphere that has all the makings of a cult classic but struggles to find its narrative footing.

Tarot Review: A Spirited Dive into Supernatural Horror

“Tarot” unfolds with a group of college friends who, ignoring the cardinal rule of never using someone else’s tarot deck, find themselves ensnared by a curse that brings their darkest fears to life. It’s a novel setup that combines traditional horror elements with the mystique of tarot cards, setting the stage for a series of eerie and suspenseful encounters.

The film is peppered with characters who are unfortunately as ephemeral as the spirits they conjure. The performances, while earnest, are often overshadowed by the film’s ambitious visual effects and the heavy reliance on horror clichés that offer little in the way of character development or innovative plot progression. The tarot cards themselves serve as a unique narrative device, providing a structure to the unfolding horror, yet the film doesn’t fully capitalize on this potential, leaving the audience with a sense of missed opportunity.

Visually, “Tarot” is a treat. The directors make good use of shadow and light, crafting scenes that are both beautiful and horrifying. The animation of the tarot cards is particularly noteworthy, blending traditional imagery with a modern aesthetic that keeps the viewer’s eyes glued to the screen. However, these stunning visuals often compensate for the story’s lack of depth and character arcs that might have made the film more engaging on a psychological level.

The film’s score, which should be a tether to the emotional and eerie, fluctuates unevenly, sometimes underpinning the tension perfectly, at other times intruding with a heavy hand that feels out of sync with the action on screen. This inconsistency is mirrored in the film’s pacing, which rushes through some of the more intriguing mysteries of the tarot lore while dwelling too long on predictable horror tropes.

Despite its flaws, “Tarot” offers a few genuinely suspenseful moments that will satisfy horror aficionados looking for a quick thrill. Its unique premise and visually striking execution are commendable, though it falls short of its potential to redefine the horror genre or offer insights into the intriguing world of tarot beyond surface-level scares.

Overall, “Tarot” is an enjoyable, if not groundbreaking, addition to the supernatural horror genre, recommended for those who enjoy jump scares and visually driven storytelling over complex narratives or character-driven drama.

RATING: 3.0 out of 5.0.

Tarot is now playing in theaters as of May 3rd, 2024.