Femmine's Favourite Mystical Movies

Whilst it’s not the season to be jolly, it is most certainly the season to be spooky. If, like me, you reach this time of year wishing you could get into the spirit but find yourself overwhelmed, then it’s a good thing I have six movies that’ll help you feel mystical, magical, and maybe even a little bit weird.

The Craft

Are you feeling witchy? Fueled by teenage rage? Then let the 90s whimsigoth wardrobes and spellbinding scenery draw you into this ghastly tale, as four teen girls discover witchcraft and use it to deal with high school drama. Sarah Bailey has just moved to the neighbourhood, quickly making friends with the school misfits, and strange things begin to happen to the group. The further the teens delve into witchcraft, the darker things get, before the group turns against Sarah and fatefully disbands.

This is a tale full of tragedy, a bit like a car crash—you just can’t look away. It’s that darker story you sometimes crave, all while still including themes of friendship and determination. Some call the characters crazy, but I would rather say it’s reminiscent of how many of us may have felt as teenagers.

Practical Magic

As we’re on the subject of witches, I could not recommend this movie enough. One of my favourite Autumn classics, it is set in Coupeville and follows the lives of two sisters whose parents died when they were young, forcing them to live with their witchy aunts. Over time, the pair grew apart: Sally married and had two children, while Gillian moved around from boyfriend to boyfriend. Gillian arrives at Sally’s doorstep in terror, believing she has killed one of her boyfriends, resulting in the pair hiding the body and becoming lead suspects in a police case. Unbeknownst to them, darker forces are at play that they must confront.

It’s hard to describe this film in just one word. It makes the mundane feel magical—just cooking in your kitchen or cleaning once a week somehow feels supernatural. At its core, it’s a beautiful film about family, and the scenery and outfits will make you want to romanticise your own life.

The Love Witch

If you are looking for a Halloween-esque movie that incorporates love in a twisted way, this is the perfect choice. Elaine is obsessed with love and finding a man who will love her to the standard she demands. Using spells and witchcraft, she makes men fall in love with her, who eventually die at her hand. After her husband dies, she moves elsewhere. No one meets her standard until she eventually finds a man she thinks could be the one. Griff, a police officer, has been assigned to investigate the murders of these men, while slowly starting to fall in love with Elaine. She must decide whether to keep Griff alive, as long as he keeps her secret.

Anyone who loves Jennifer’s Body will probably adore this film just as much. One of its many fascinating aspects is that, although it was filmed and released in 2016, the crew used a specific lens to make it look like it was shot in the 70s, capturing the vintage feel of Elaine’s magic.

Labyrinth

Moving slightly away from witches and more towards sorcerers, this movie still contains all the magical elements you’d expect from an 80s film. Like many teenagers, Sarah dislikes her baby brother and family. After being asked to babysit, she curses her brother, who is then taken away by the Goblin King. Distraught, she ventures into his fantastical world to find him. Along the way, she makes friends who help her on her journey and faces those who try to trick and stop her. Sarah must confront and defeat the Goblin King to save her brother from being trapped in his world forever.

This movie is incredibly creative, using puppets and costumes to fully immerse the audience in the world. With its vivid colours and textures, it provides plenty of magical inspiration for Halloween costumes. While the acting might not be top-notch, it’s campy enough to be thoroughly enjoyable—and who doesn’t love a bit of David Bowie!

The Spiderwick Chronicles

If you haven’t read the books but want to be introduced to three children thrown into the world of fairies, I’d suggest watching the 2008 film. The Grace twins and their older sister are pulled from their New York lives and taken to New England, where they discover a guide to navigate the faery world—a guide that must be protected at all costs. Initially sceptical, the children are forced to accept their fate after encountering a monstrous creature, as they must stop an evil force from taking over the world and stealing the book.

This was by far one of my favourite films growing up. During autumn break, my siblings and I would go to our nan’s, and she’d always put this on, making it incredibly nostalgic. Not only is it great storytelling for children, but adults will also find much to explore. With such an intricate magical world, there is a lot going on in this story.

Picnic at Hanging Rock

Whilst it’s not spooky or scary, this film is one of the eeriest mysteries I have ever watched. A girls’ boarding school decides to go for a picnic at Hanging Rock. Strict rules are enforced to prevent exploring the dangerous terrain, yet a group of girls ignore the instructions and vanish into the hills. Their disappearance is never explained.

At the age of sixteen, this felt like the pinnacle of mystery. It felt so real that, in my mind, it became a 70s version of a true-crime documentary. Anyone who loves classic films will be fascinated, as it feels as though you are transported through time. Rocks and stones play a significant role in many folklores, so anyone interested in folktales can relate to the fear the characters felt about the rock formation. The film leaves you with a mixture of dread, awe, and fascination.

Each of these films is mystifying in its own special way. Halloween is my favourite time of year, and for those wishing to celebrate it more and romanticise their Autumn, I would certainly recommend these movies as my top choices—and I hope they can become yours too.

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