Something Wicked This Way Comes

1983

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Critics Consensus

True terror and typical Disney wholesomeness clash uncomfortably in Something Wicked This Way Comes.

60%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 30

64%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 9,308
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Movie Info

After a carnival comes to Green Town, the good citizens are compelled to follow their deepest desires, caught under the spell of the malevolent Dr. Dark (Jonathan Pryce) who can grant those desires on one condition: that the grantees will forever join his freak show. Dr. Dark is after two young boys from the town in particular, while others in the town would certainly be easy marks. The sour-faced, older schoolteacher (Mary Grace Canfield) wants to be a seductive young woman, Ed the bartender (James Stacy) would like to regain his lost left arm and leg, and the librarian (Jason Robards) worries about a wasted life spent only in books. As Dr. Dark works his own brand of voodoo, the citizens and the two boys -- as well as the whole carnival itself -- approach a final reckoning. Something Wicked This Way Comes was based on a Ray Bradbury novel.

Cast

Jason Robards
as Charles Halloway
Jonathan Pryce
as Mr. Dark
Vidal Peterson
as Will Halloway
Diane Ladd
as Mrs. Nightshade
Shawn Carson
as Jim Nightshade
Pam Grier
as Dust Witch
Royal Dano
as Tom Fury
Mary Grace Canfield
as Miss Foley
Richard Davalos
as Mr. Crosetti
Jake Dengel
as Mr. Tetley
Jack Dodson
as Mr. Douglas
Bruce M. Fischer
as Mr. Cooger
Ellen Geer
as Mrs. Halloway
James Stacy
as Ed the Bartender
Sharon Lea
as Young Miss Foley
Angelo Rossitto
as Little Person No. 1
Peter Risch
as Little Person No. 2
Sharan Lea
as Young Miss Foley
Tim T. Clark
as Teenage Couple
Jill Carroll
as Teenage Couple
Tony Christopher
as Young Ed
Scott DeRoy
as Cooger as a Young Man
Sharon Ashe
as Townswoman
Arthur Hill
as Narrator
Brendan Klinger
as Cooger as a Child
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Critic Reviews for Something Wicked This Way Comes

All Critics (30) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (12)

  • Possibilities for a dark, child's view fantasy set in rural America of yore are visible throughout the $20 million production but various elements have not entirely congealed into a unified achievement.

    Mar 10, 2009 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • The plot concerns a mysterious carnival outside a small town in the early 1900s that grants the wishes of the town's citizens, with dark consequences.

    Mar 10, 2009 | Full Review…

    Jonathan Rosenbaum

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Ultimately, though, it's an uneasy blend of horror and whimsy, with the allegory being hammered a little too hard for comfort. It's also marred by some dreadfully tacky special effects and set designs.

    Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…

    John Preston

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • In its descriptions of autumn days, in its heartfelt conversations between a father and a son, in the unabashed romanticism of its evil carnival and even in the perfect rhythm of its title, this is a horror movie with elegance.

    Oct 23, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • A lively, entertaining tale combining boyishness and grown-up horror in equal measure.

    Aug 30, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/5

    Janet Maslin

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • It's not hokey fun like Watcher in the Woods but just chilling and thoughtful and extremely well acted.

    Apr 4, 2019 | Rating: A | Full Review…

    Rachel Wagner

    rachelsreviews.net
View All Critic Reviews (30)

Audience Reviews for Something Wicked This Way Comes

  • Jul 17, 2017
    In the age of slasher horror and torture porn this tale of a traveling carnival that's trade is misfortune seems light, but still is resonant for it's moral lessons. Perhaps the best Ray Bradbury tale on film, all ominous and creepy, and better meant for adolescents.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Oct 07, 2012
    It starts off creepy and seems like there is a lot of potential, but it kind of just goes downhill from there.
    Sarah P Super Reviewer
  • Jan 01, 2012
    I'm sure Something Wicked This Way Comes would have worked on me had I seen it at the proper age, but unfortunately I didn't. The film isn't altogether a mess. It's directed by Jack Clayton, has a score from James Horner, and features both Pam Grier and Jonathan Pryce in leading roles. What's not to love? Well it has a couple of annoying child actors in it for starters. Second, the meat of the story doesn't kick in until toward the end of the second act. It definitely gets dark, but not quite as wicked as its title promises. It feels more family-friendly than anything, and I think that's its major weakness. It has plenty going for it, but not enough for something really memorable or captivating. Worth a rent, but not much else I'm afraid.
    Tim S Super Reviewer
  • Feb 15, 2011
    Cute movie in the company of "The Lady in White" and "Stand By Me". Buddies deal with a mysterious carnival that visits town. I was expecting a little more wicked... but it is more family friendly than horror.
    Thomas J Super Reviewer
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