A review of "Witchery"

Confessions of a Film Junkie: A review of “Witchery”

By: Brian Cotnoir

     This is one of those films that is so bad that it’s actually very entertaining.  After doing some further research into the film, I have discovered that this film has a few different titles. “La Casa 4” and “Witchcraft” are two popular names for this film, but for the sake of avoiding confusion we will refer this film to what it was referred to when I watched it, “Witchery”.  Even more shocking to me is that “Witchery” (which is known as “La Casa 4” in Italy) is the first sequel to “La Casa 3” which is often referred to as the “Unofficial Evil Dead 3”?!  I never knew there was such a thing as an “Evil Dead 3”! I always just assumed that “Army of Darkness” was “Evil Dead 3”, but apparently I was wrong.                                   

 So the story of “Witchery” actually takes place in an abandoned hotel off the coast of Massachusetts where our main characters Gary and Linda—played by David Hasselhoff and Catherine Hickland—are doing research on witchcraft.  While conducting their research in the abandoned hotel the “island” is invaded by realtors and family that is thinking about buying the property.  Hasselhoff, Hickland, and the others get stranded on the island and have to spend the night in the old abandoned hotel, and after that some crazy, spooky things begin to happen and all hell breaks loose.                                      

  This film is nothing like the “Evil Dead” films. They share some aspects, but to call “Witchery” a sequel to “Evil Dead” is a flat out lie!  The acting in this film is terrible; only David Hasselhoff and Linda Blair do any real acting and Hasselhoff still is no Ash. I actually liked the bad acting though.  It made me laugh hysterically and that was the one thing that kept me from hating this movie.                                           

 Also I liked that I’ve actually been to a lot of the places where “Witchery” was filmed and I didn’t even realize it.  I’ve spent a lot of my childhood on Cape Cod and to see some of the places I’ve been in the film was just exciting and made me want to go back for a visit.  “Witchery” is a corny/campy film and even if you’re a person who’s a real wuss when it comes to horror movies, then this is the film for you!