Warlock Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A 17th-century warlock parties like it’s 1988 while a very confused witch hunter tries to adjust to modern conveniences, all while a random woman rapidly ages.

🍿 Warlock: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Escape from 1691

In Boston, 1691, a powerful warlock (Julian Sands) is sentenced to death for his dark practices. Giles Redferne (Richard E. Grant), a dedicated witch hunter, ensures his capture. However, during the execution, a supernatural storm erupts, whisking the warlock away through time.

Arrival in 1988 Los Angeles

The warlock arrives in 1988 Los Angeles, crashing into the home shared by Kassandra (Lori Singer) and Chas. He quickly resorts to violence, murdering Chas to steal a ring he desires. Meanwhile, Redferne follows the warlock through the time portal, finding himself disoriented and out of place in the modern world.

The Grand Grimoire

The warlock’s mission is to locate the three scattered pieces of the Grand Grimoire, a Satanic bible that contains the true name of God, which, if spoken backward, can undo creation. He uses dark magic and violence to track down the Grimoire fragments, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Kassandra’s Curse and Alliance

After the warlock steals her charm bracelet, Kassandra is cursed to age 20 years each day. Desperate, she reluctantly teams up with Redferne, who understands the warlock’s evil agenda and how to stop him. Together, they embark on a cross-country pursuit, facing numerous challenges and supernatural threats.

The Chase to Boston

The search for the final piece of the Grand Grimoire leads them to Boston. They learn the last page is buried in a graveyard. The warlock also makes his way to Boston, gaining assistance by making deals, he now has all three pieces of the Grand Grimoire and only needs to speak the name.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Warlock (Julian Sands): A powerful and cruel 17th-century warlock who escapes to modern-day Los Angeles to find the Grand Grimoire and undo creation.
• Giles Redferne (Richard E. Grant): A determined 17th-century witch hunter who pursues the Warlock through time to stop him from destroying the world.
• Kassandra (Lori Singer): A modern-day woman cursed by the Warlock who reluctantly joins forces with Giles to reverse the spell and save humanity.
• Chas (Kevin O’Brien): Kassandra’s kind roommate who is brutally murdered by the Warlock after trying to show compassion.
• Channeler (Mary Woronov): A fraudulent spiritualist who attempts to channel a spirit for the Warlock and pays a gruesome price.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Giles Redferne: “Witches loathe salt.” – Giles explains the weaknesses of witches, highlighting their aversion to salt as a defense against their magic.
• Warlock: “I’m a warlock, and I don’t need a broom.” – The Warlock dismisses the conventional image of witches, asserting his power transcends traditional tools.
• Giles Redferne: “Let your attention lie before you, not beside you.” – Giles admonishes Kassandra after she nearly crashes the car, imparting wisdom from his time.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $7,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $9,094,451
• Worldwide Gross: $9,094,451

💥 Warlock Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching *Warlock* as a kid and being genuinely creeped out by Julian Sands. Richard E. Grant’s over-the-top performance as the witch hunter was hilarious, and Lori Singer’s character was relatable. The special effects might be dated now, but back then, the flying scenes and the aging makeup were pretty effective. Overall, *Warlock* is a fun horror movie that I enjoyed watching again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 80s horror movies”
  • “Viewers interested in supernatural thrillers”
  • “Fans of Julian Sands and Richard E. Grant”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and gore”
  • “Supernatural themes”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Disturbing images”

Professional Reviews

• Collider.com: “Steve Miner’s unsung 1989 B-movie *Warlock* manages to outshine its contemporaries through fine writing, directing, and above all, acting. The beauty of Warlock’s story lies in its simplicity. This is not a film with delusions of grandeur; it has more in common with *Highlander* than *Braveheart*.
• IMDB User Reviews: “This movie actually is a pretty fun film with a lot more going for it than most people might think just looking at the cover. Sands is perfectly cast as the warlock, an evil-to-the-core witch who works for nothing less than the uncreation of the cosmos. Fighting him is an out-of-his-element witch-hunter who has chased him to the present (Grant) with a peculiar confidence. He knows his enemy and knows what he needs to do to prevent the warlock from completing the Grand Grimoire, but is lost in the present.

Audience Reactions

Richard E Grant provides great comic relief as a fish out of water.: The movie is cheesy and fun to watch.

Overall Consensus: Warlock is a fun, cheesy horror movie with great performances from Julian Sands and Richard E. Grant, even though some of the special effects have aged badly.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The filmmakers initially struggled to find the right tone, unsure if the film should be pure horror or have comedic elements. They ultimately decided on a blend of both.”
• “The special effects, particularly the flying sequences, were achieved using wires and blue screen technology, which were considered state-of-the-art at the time but now appear dated.”
• “The script went through several revisions, with different ideas for the powers of the warlock and the methods of defeating him.”

🖥️ How to Watch Warlock?

Warlock is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability. You can also find it on physical media such as DVD and Blu-ray.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Warlock, you might like these similar films:

• Highlander (1986): Features immortal beings battling across centuries, much like the warlock and witch hunter.
• The Craft (1996): Deals with themes of witchcraft and supernatural powers, focusing on a group of teenage witches.
• Time After Time (1979): Uses time travel as a main plot element.
• Season of the Witch (2011): Features witch hunter traveling to remote location.

🛒 Warlock Related Products

• Warlock: The Ultimate Collection (Blu-ray): This limited edition Blu-ray set includes all three *Warlock* movies with tons of bonus content. A must-have for die-hard fans and collectors of 80s horror.
• Warlock Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original movie poster for Warlock. Perfect for decorating a home theater or adding to a collection of horror memorabilia.
• Warlock T-Shirt: Show your love for Warlock with this stylish T-shirt featuring iconic imagery from the film. Made from soft, comfortable material, it’s perfect for everyday wear.

🎧 Soundtrack

Warlock features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “CORAZONITA” – performed by Los Almejas

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Warlock (1988) – The True Zamiel

Ever wondered what a demonic Steven Tyler incarnation looks like? Check out this wild scene from the original Warlock – it’s definitely a trip!

✨ Rate