The cult classic Practical Magic is a film about witches, spells and curses. But did you know that a witch actually cursed the production of the film while they were working on it? Did you know that there will be a sequel about a family of witches?
The 1998 cult classic Practical Magic isn't just a beloved witch movie – it also has an incredibly charming story behind it. The film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman tells the story of two witch sisters struggling with love, loss and a family curse. Featuring an all-star cast including Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, Practical Magic was made at the height of overdue '90s nostalgia for magical and supernatural stories.
One of the film's most memorable scenes shows the characters enjoying “Midnight Margaritas” – a natural bonding session drenched in tequila. Behind the scenes, the cast got really drunk on affordable tequila that Nicole Kidman brought to the set, leading to some genuine moments of drunken joy that made it into the final cut.
Beyond the drinking fun, Practical Magic became an unexpected sisterhood for the actresses. Although the film was directed by Griffin Dunne, a man, it created a powerful, almost mystical bond with the female cast. As Kidman recalls, they synchronized their menstrual cycles during the full moon during filming, teasing Dunne that they might soon “turn on him.”
Musically, the film drew on the talents of self-proclaimed witch and Fleetwood Mac legend Stevie Nicks. Not only did Nicks contribute her song “If You Ever Did Believe” to the film, but she also re-recorded her classic song “Crystal,” both with Sheryl Crow.
What many don't know is that the process of making the film was as otherworldly as its plot.
Was Practical Magic a haunted collection?
Just as darker forces plagued Practical Magic behind the camera, we're just as expected to believe the rumors in front of it.
During the filming of the film, stories of the supernatural were circulating among both the cast and crew. Cast members reported strange noises, particularly during the climactic coven scene near the end of the film, which raised suspicions that the fictional sorcery may have stirred something real.
As the director said: “It's something I'll talk about now, but then I'll probably deny it. I didn't want that atmosphere. Like a line from a movie that Aidan has [goes]”I didn't want to add power to the curse.” Not that I believe it. But if you believe in it, you give it strength.”
Was the set truly haunted, or was it just the witchy feel of the set that fit the atmosphere? By far the scariest thing was when the witch consultant they had hired cursed the entire film, as well as the director, when he didn't comply with her demands.
The curse of the witch consultant
It was originally intended to aid ensure the film's portrayal of magic was true, but with the witch consultant they hired, things took a sinister turn. They hired a witch through a director friend they contacted. According to the director, the friend never stopped apologizing for the introduction because it ended badly.
According to the director, the witch received a very generous payment from Warner Brothers for consulting on spells and the like. The director thought it would be fun to take her to Los Angeles, where they shot most of the movie. They wanted to put her in a nice hotel, just as he wanted her to meet Bullock and Kidman, who couldn't wait to meet her.
However, all this backfired because the witch felt offended. She told the producer in a telephone interview: “I will put a curse on you. I curse this movie and I curse Griffin.”
She wanted three grosses from the film's profit, as well as the rights to publish the Practical Magic cookbook. She also left Griffith an ominous voicemail: “There is a land of curses!” and began speaking in the language via voicemail before threatening to sue Warner Bros. as well.
Griffith brought the recording to the legal department and cursed them. It wasn't until halfway through that they stopped the tape and wrote her a check.
New Age exorcism in a New Age movie
The threat of a curse shocked the crew, especially when tragedy struck: a crew member's father suddenly died. Although he was elderly and already ill, many on the set believed it was the work of a witch. In response, Griffin Dunne organized a New Age exorcism to purify the plane.
“It was a very simple New Age ceremony that was as stupid as the idea of someone cursing you over the phone.” he told Vulture when talking about the whole ordeal. “It was mostly chanting, smoke and stuff like that. “I just did it to cover my bases.”
Although he admitted it was “stupid”, the ritual provided him with some comfort and the shoot continued without further incident. However, the incident inspired the filmmaker to write one of Aidens' lines: “Curses only have power if you believe in them.”
Critic reviews and supernatural atmosphere
Despite some entertaining behind-the-scenes stories, Practical Magic was not initially well received. Critics such as Roger Ebert and Entertainment Weekly quickly panned the film, calling it “confusing” and “cursed,” as if the supposed witch's curse had truly taken over the production and performed as poorly as it did at the box office. In fact, it was the last feature film the director made in years, and he said it certainly didn't aid his career.
However, over the years, the film has gained a cult following, appreciated for its charming mix of romance, sisterhood and spooky magic. Today, the film is considered by many to be a classic, performed every fall to get us into the spooky October mood.
As if continuing the magic of the original, news broke in 2024 that Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman would be returning for the long-awaited sequel. The announcement reignited excitement among fans and speculation that the wizarding energy from the first film could soon stir again. The question, however, is: how would the sequel fare if something like a curse was actually placed on the production?
Reference:
Practical Magic (1998) – Trivia – IMDb
How 'Practical Magic' Pissed Off a Real Witch | Vanity fair
Prepare Midnight Margarita and learn 25 secrets of practical magic
Interesting, shocking facts about practical magic that you didn't know – Business Insider
Practical magic cursed by a real witch. Is that why the bombing happened?
Image Source: Pixabay.com
