Review: 'Tarot' unfolds as a familiar PG-13 tale woven with threads of cliches and predictable twists

The scenario of college students exploring eerie houses, toying with cursed objects, and inadvertently triggering a malevolent curse is a familiar trope seen in numerous films. Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg's movie "Tarot" simply adds to this long-established pattern. The film fails to transcend the well-worn paths of its genre. 

The story centers around a group of college friends who venture into a secluded mansion to celebrate a birthday. Their festivities take a dark turn when they stumble upon a forbidden room housing occult paraphernalia, including a deck of tarot cards. Unwittingly, they unleash a deadly curse, setting off a chain of events that they must decipher to escape their grim fate.

The rapid escalation of events lacks coherence, leaving the characters adrift in a narrative devoid of context or depth. Cohen and Halberg rely heavily on conventional horror imagery and jump scares, sacrificing substance for fleeting moments of shock. The result is a film shrouded in a perpetually ominous atmosphere that ultimately suffocates any genuine suspense.

The film's PG-13 rating hampers its ability to deliver authentic thrills, as deaths are sanitized of any visceral impact. Despite the efforts of the youthful cast, who inject energy into their roles, they are hindered by clunky dialogue and a lack of character depth. 

Given that horoscopes often shape individuals' personalities, they could have served as a valuable instrument to craft fully developed characters, each possessing complexity and distinctiveness. Although the initial reading scene attempts to establish some character traits—Page's controlling nature, Lucas's sensitivity, and Grant's tendency to distance himself from loved ones—little additional effort is made to evoke empathy or support for these characters. 

While "Tarot" may entertain teenage audiences seeking a mild fright, it falls short of leaving a lasting impression beyond its target demographic.

The ensemble cast, featuring Harriet Slater, Adain Bradley, Avantika, Wolfgang Novogratz, Humberly González, Larsen Thompson, and Jacob Batalon, puts in effort but falls short in delivering noteworthy performances.

From a storytelling perspective, the narrative rushes through scares without offering much depth or thrill, relying instead on generic horror tropes and a weak script. While the film's atmospheric mood and visuals, crafted by cinematographer Elie Smolkin, offer some redeeming qualities, they are ultimately overshadowed by the film's lack of substance.

The Verdict

"Tarot" falls short of its potential, offering little more than a rehash of familiar horror tropes. While it may provide a few scares for teenage audiences, it fails to deliver a compelling narrative or memorable characters. 

Rating

**(2/5) stars