Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- sardonic
- eerie
- cult movie night
- halloween viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the HBO production engaging, inventive, funny, and invigorated by its unusual fusion of hard-boiled noir with supernatural spectacle.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
H. Phillip Lovecraft works as a private detective in 1948 Los Angeles, but rejects the magic used by everyone around him.
The film depicts 1948 Los Angeles as a city where magic is a normal hallmark of progress.
The investigation involves the Necronomicon, the Old Ones, zombies, gremlins, gargoyles, and murderous occult forces while maintaining a playful noir attitude.
Lovecraft is hired to recover the stolen Necronomicon, which holds the key to magical world domination.
Films like Cast a Deadly Spell, and why
The Big Lebowski
shared neo-noir detective framework, supernatural menace, and darkly comic tone
Angel Heart
shared occult investigation, noir atmosphere, and grotesque supernatural imagery
Witch Hunt
shared hard-boiled private detective, alternate-history Los Angeles, and supernatural conspiracy
The Frighteners
shared comedic horror, magical world-building, and eccentric monsters
Movie Details
- Director
- Martin Campbell
- Release Date
- 1991-09-07
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (130)
Cast
- Fred Ward
- David Warner
- Julianne Moore
- Clancy Brown
- Alexandra Powers
- Charles Hallahan
- Arnetia Walker
- Raymond O'Connor
- Peter Allas
- Lee Tergesen
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cast a Deadly Spell about?
- A magic-shunning private eye hunts the stolen Necronomicon through a wildly reimagined 1948 Los Angeles crawling with occult conspiracies and monsters.
- What is Cast a Deadly Spell like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cast a Deadly Spell as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Cast a Deadly Spell violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Cast a Deadly Spell as moderate.
- What did critics think of Cast a Deadly Spell?
- Critics broadly found the HBO production engaging, inventive, funny, and invigorated by its unusual fusion of hard-boiled noir with supernatural spectacle.
- Which films are like Cast a Deadly Spell?
- Films with a similar feel include The Big Lebowski, Angel Heart, Witch Hunt, and The Frighteners.
- How long is Cast a Deadly Spell?
- Cast a Deadly Spell runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cast a Deadly Spell?
- In United States, Cast a Deadly Spell streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
