Cursed (2005)

Director:

Wes Craven

Writer (WGA):

Kevin Williamson (written by)

Release Date:

25 February 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Plot:

A werewolf loose in Los Angeles changes the lives of three young adults, who, after being mauled by the beast, learn they must kill their attacker if they hope to change their fate to avoid becoming werewolves too.

Plot Keywords:

Werewolf | Car Accident | Death | Attack | Costume Party

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Portia de Rossi	...	Zela
Mya	...	Jenny
Shannon Elizabeth	...	Becky
Kristina Anapau	...	Brooke
Daniel Edward Mora	...	Jose (as Daniel Mora)
Solar	...	Zipper
Jesse Eisenberg	...	Jimmy
Milo Ventimiglia	...	Bo
Jonny Acker	...	Earl
Eric Ladin	...	Louie
Christina Ricci	...	Ellie
Joshua Jackson	...	Jake
Derek Mears	...	Werewolf
Nick Offerman	...	Officer
Ken Rudulph	...	Newscaster

Also Known As:

Verflucht (Germany)
Wes Craven's Cursed (USA) (complete title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for horror violence/terror, some sexual references, nudity, language and a brief drug reference. (edited version)

Runtime:

97 min | 99 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #41126) | New Zealand:R13 | Iceland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:15 | Canada:14A (British Columbia) (edited for re-rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating on appeal) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) (original rating) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Czech Republic:15 | Finland:K-15 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R (original rating) | USA:Unrated (DVD version) | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Germany:16 | Brazil:14

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Center Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Dimension Films

Trivia:

In the beginning of the film, Jake shows Ellie a prop iron maiden. The prop is an exact replica of the iron maiden used in the 1960's "The Addams Family" (1964) TV show. Ironically, Christina Ricci was in The Addams Family (1991).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: At the car crash scene, when the werewolf pulls Becky out of the car, its snout and fangs bend in a very unrealistic way, revealing that the "wolf" is actually a rubber prop.

Quotes:

Joanie: Putting on weight, Kyle?

Movie Connections:

References "The Partridge Family" (1970)

Soundtrack:

Spirits

Seen Better, Seen Worse

Ellie and kid brother Jimmy are driving home late one night through the Hollywood Hills when something huge and monstrous crosses their path. One nasty road accident later, the annoyingly whiny female passenger of the car they just hit is dragged off into the woods by a mostly unseen creature which rips the woman to shreds - and good riddance. Ellie and Jimmy do not escape unscathed themselves. The creature has mildly injured them both and soon, brother and sister are experiencing heightened senses and suffering the Mark of the Beast on the palm of their hands. For Jimmy, it's a blessing in disguise as he returns to high school and battles the school bully. For Ellie, it's the first step on the path towards discovering who the real monster is, and the suspects are numerous. Will she and her brother discover the identity of the beast in time to save themselves from the curse? Or will they too become full fledged werewolves at the next full moon?

"Cursed" doesn't take itself very seriously as a horror film, or as a comedy. It seems to be trying to decide which it wanted to be, and hadn't made up its mind in time for the closing credits. There are a few genuine laughs to be found throughout, and some nifty references to the bygone days of Universal Creature Features, but for the most part this is a silly, airbrushed effort, filled with Beautiful People acting stupidly. I should have considered myself warned when I saw Scott Baio's name in the opening credits. The werewolf itself has a few good scenes, but I was kind of disappointed to see the legendary Rick Baker's name in the credits, and then find myself face to face with a CGI beast later on. And what was Christina Ricci doing in this? Did she lose a bet with Wes Craven or something?

This film might have fared better in the 80s, but it seems somewhat lifeless and unimaginative these days. I'm just glad I had a free pass, otherwise I would be feeling profoundly ripped off right about now.