The Covenant (2006) Review

Hello Readers,

The other night, while scrolling through Netflix, I stumbled upon The Covenant. The chokehold this film had on teenage me was undeniable, it had everything I loved back then: moody characters, supernatural powers, and plenty of drama. Naturally, I decided to rewatch it as an adult—and, dear Reader, I’ve aged myself by at least 50 years in the process.

 
My friends and I used to lovingly call this film "five fit lads throwing fireballs," and honestly, that pretty much sums up the whole story. It’s not a bad film I still enjoyed it but it doesn’t quite hit the same way it did back then. Interestingly, this movie introduced me to several household names, including Sebastian Stan, Jessica Lucas, Taylor Kitsch, Steven Strait, and even a brief cameo from Chace Crawford.
 
At its core, the movie’s plot and backstory are genuinely compelling, feeling like the love child of The Craft and The Lost Boys. The story follows four students at an elite private school, each descended from colonial witches linked to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Their ancestors formed a secret covenant to protect themselves from persecution, with a grave warning: overusing their magic could lead to addiction, rapid aging, and even death, making their inheritance both a gift and a curse.
 
A fifth family, obsessed with power, broke away from the covenant and was believed to have died out. However, the "Sons of Ipswich" soon discover that a descendant of this rogue family has returned, seeking vengeance and ultimate power.
 
Looking back, older me can’t help but think this story would make for an incredible TV series. A series format would give the plot room to expand, delve deeper into the rich backstory, and explore the tension between power and its consequences in greater depth.

L x

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