Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)

57% of critics liked it
(23 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(8,759 ratings)

After a carnival comes to Green Town, the good citizens are compelled to follow their deepest desires, caught under the spell of the malevolent Dr. Dark (Jonathan Pryce) who can grant those desires on one condition: that the grantees will forever join his freak show. Dr. Dark is after two young boys… More After a carnival comes to Green Town, the good citizens are compelled to follow their deepest desires, caught under the spell of the malevolent Dr. Dark (Jonathan Pryce) who can grant those desires on one condition: that the grantees will forever join his freak show. Dr. Dark is after two young boys from the town in particular, while others in the town would certainly be easy marks. The sour-faced, older schoolteacher (Mary Grace Canfield) wants to be a seductive young woman, Ed the bartender (James Stacy) would like to regain his lost left arm and leg, and the librarian (Jason Robards) worries about a wasted life spent only in books. As Dr. Dark works his own brand of voodoo, the citizens and the two boys -- as well as the whole carnival itself -- approach a final reckoning. Something Wicked This Way Comes was based on a Ray Bradbury novel. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Jack Clayton
Written By: Ray Bradbury
Genres: Horror, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Apr 29, 1983 Limited
On DVD: Sep 21, 1999

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Possibilities for a dark, child's view fantasy set in rural America of yore are visible throughout the $20 million production but various elements have not entirely congealed into a unified achievement.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The plot concerns a mysterious carnival outside a small town in the early 1900s that grants the wishes of the town's citizens, with dark consequences.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
A lively, entertaining tale combining boyishness and grown-up horror in equal measure.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The property was snapped up by Disney, which promptly sucked the life out of it, turning it into a scrubbed and innocuous coming-of-age tale. Too bad.
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
WICKED needs to be viewed as a different kind of film
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Try as I might to get into this movie, based on the classic Ray Bradbury tale, I've found myself blocked by its off-putting ways.
, Time Out
Ultimately, though, it's an uneasy blend of horror and whimsy, with the allegory being hammered a little too hard for comfort. It's also marred by some dreadfully tacky special effects and set designs.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
Bradbury's tale connects fear and dread to concupiscent desire and disordered regret — fantasies of wealth or women, preoccupation with lost beauty or physical ability.
, Film4
A film that does not seem to know whether it wants to be genuinely frightening or a fantasy fable.
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
Two or three chilling scenes make up for the periodic patches of dead air.

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

I'm sure Something Wicked This Way Comes would have worked on me had I seen it at the proper age, but unfortunately I didn't. The film isn't altogether a mess. It's directed by Jack Clayton, has a score from James Horner, and features both Pam Grier and Jonathan… More
I'm sure Something Wicked This Way Comes would have worked on me had I seen it at the proper age, but unfortunately I didn't. The film isn't altogether a mess. It's directed by Jack Clayton, has a score from James Horner, and features both Pam Grier and Jonathan Pryce in leading roles. What's not to love? Well it has a couple of annoying child actors in it for starters. Second, the meat of the story doesn't kick in until toward the end of the second act. It definitely gets dark, but not quite as wicked as its title promises. It feels more family-friendly than anything, and I think that's its major weakness. It has plenty going for it, but not enough for something really memorable or captivating. Worth a rent, but not much else I'm afraid.
Thomas J

Cute movie in the company of "The Lady in White" and "Stand By Me". Buddies deal with a mysterious carnival that visits town. I was expecting a little more wicked... but it is more family friendly than horror.
Luke B

Very dark. Very disturbing. I think Disney was very depressed in the 80's. Something Wicked This Way Comes is a mixed bag of brilliance and boredom. When it tells the story of the young protagonists it is slow and doesn't seem to be building up to anything. When we finally… More
Very dark. Very disturbing. I think Disney was very depressed in the 80's. Something Wicked This Way Comes is a mixed bag of brilliance and boredom. When it tells the story of the young protagonists it is slow and doesn't seem to be building up to anything. When we finally get to the carnival, things liven up. Pryce is amazing in his role as Mr. Dark. Charming, sinister and very intimidating. The film touches on deep issues such as regret, acceptance and the fear of growing old. We see many characters past their prime. The aged beauty queen, the crippled sports athlete etc. We see how things become better, but at a cost. Robards is a strong emotional anchor between the world of the children and that of the carnival. Another fantastic Disney death here as well. It's a wonderful tale, but probably best for adults and older kids.
Quinto W

I'm not surprised that this movie managed scare me, since Disney does have an excellent track record of traumatizing the shit out of me - I just wish the final ten minutes weren't so rushed, because they let down everything that came before them.
Marion R

Great creepy scenes and story. The ending of the film is a bit mashed together, but I can forgive it. Awesome!
Jim W

This is a spooky little disney film where the devil takes over a town.