Alex, Jane, and Sukie are three single middle-aged women in the town of Eastwick who have a ritual of meeting every week to do activities in lieu of a more active and paired-up social life. One night, as they begin to fantasize collectively about their dream man, he seems to arrive, seducing them and giving them a magical hedonist party—the lives of anyone else be damned.
The root of the film is frank commentary about women's agency and desires, which makes it odd that the source material, book or film, wasn't penned by women. Some see it as satire, but to me, the film, at least, felt earnest. The trio discuss their sexuality and life goals openly and the man they accidentally conjured, a demonic guy called Daryl Van Horne, is the kind of misogynist who puffs himself up with feminist talking points before complaining when the women turn out more complicated and strong than he expected. In the end, the story turns into a pretty incredible metaphor—by recognizing Daryl's toxicity, the women come to realize the [magical] power they have when united, and become witches capable of out-hexing the Devil. It's ultimately a story about women who've been mistreated trying again and ultimately taking the reins on their next attempt.
The tone of the film would make this a perfect double feature with Death Becomes Her. Both are dark supernatural comedies that feel like they nearly could have been made by Tim Burton and both feature a thematic center of feminist commentary. Both have more than a little camp as well. Some characters in this film say drag-queen filthy lines with an earnest that makes it incredibly funny, and Jack Nicholson as Daryl is the highlight, Nicholsoning it up while saying hilariously vile lines and doing great physical comedy. Funny how he's been the horror-villain caricature of misogyny twice. Susan Sarandon is also the most gung-ho sex-liberated thrall in a supernatural story twice as well...
I think this film is a little niche but it's a fun watch with some really good comedy, thrills, and commentary behind it.
Literature An oddball comedy with interesting feminist tones.
Alex, Jane, and Sukie are three single middle-aged women in the town of Eastwick who have a ritual of meeting every week to do activities in lieu of a more active and paired-up social life. One night, as they begin to fantasize collectively about their dream man, he seems to arrive, seducing them and giving them a magical hedonist party—the lives of anyone else be damned.
The root of the film is frank commentary about women's agency and desires, which makes it odd that the source material, book or film, wasn't penned by women. Some see it as satire, but to me, the film, at least, felt earnest. The trio discuss their sexuality and life goals openly and the man they accidentally conjured, a demonic guy called Daryl Van Horne, is the kind of misogynist who puffs himself up with feminist talking points before complaining when the women turn out more complicated and strong than he expected. In the end, the story turns into a pretty incredible metaphor—by recognizing Daryl's toxicity, the women come to realize the [magical] power they have when united, and become witches capable of out-hexing the Devil. It's ultimately a story about women who've been mistreated trying again and ultimately taking the reins on their next attempt.
The tone of the film would make this a perfect double feature with Death Becomes Her. Both are dark supernatural comedies that feel like they nearly could have been made by Tim Burton and both feature a thematic center of feminist commentary. Both have more than a little camp as well. Some characters in this film say drag-queen filthy lines with an earnest that makes it incredibly funny, and Jack Nicholson as Daryl is the highlight, Nicholsoning it up while saying hilariously vile lines and doing great physical comedy. Funny how he's been the horror-villain caricature of misogyny twice. Susan Sarandon is also the most gung-ho sex-liberated thrall in a supernatural story twice as well...
I think this film is a little niche but it's a fun watch with some really good comedy, thrills, and commentary behind it.