Warlock – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Warlock

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1989

22%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A 1989 horror flick about a time-traveling warlock and his Puritan pursuer—dated, violent, and strictly for nostalgic genre completists.

6.2/10

56%

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Warlock

movie

R, 1989

22%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A 1989 horror flick about a time-traveling warlock and his Puritan pursuer—dated, violent, and strictly for nostalgic genre completists.

6.2

56%

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6.2/10

56%

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: this is a B-grade 1989 horror movie that even at the time was middling (44 Metacritic, 48% audience score). The premise—evil warlock time-travels to modern LA, Puritan witch-hunter follows—has potential, but the execution is dated, the effects are cheesy, and the violence is genuinely graphic.

It's strictly adult territory with its occult themes, body horror, and violence against women. But even for adults, it's a tough sell in 2025. The pacing drags, the acting is uneven (though Julian Sands chews scenery effectively), and it feels every bit of its 36 years.

If you're a completist for 80s horror or have nostalgia for VHS rental nights, maybe. Otherwise, there are dozens of better horror options that have aged more gracefully. This is a skip for families and a 'only if you really know what you're getting into' for genre fans.

Age Fit

This is adult horror content, period. The 17+ rating from Common Sense Media is spot-on. Even older teens who can handle horror should know they're getting graphic violence and occult imagery wrapped in very dated 1980s production.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A time-traveling witch-hunter chasing an evil warlock through centuries doesn't exactly model cooperation or kindness. The horror elements include dark magic, violence, and disturbing imagery that's far from emotionally healthy content. This is a villain-focused story with graphic content throughout.

Imaginative

The time-travel premise (17th century Puritan witch-hunter landing in 1980s Los Angeles) is genuinely creative, and the fish-out-of-water dynamic offers some originality. The magical elements and hunt for scattered pages of an evil grimoire provide decent fantasy world-building, even if the execution is B-movie level.

Safe

This is a horror movie with graphic violence, dark occult themes, and disturbing imagery. Common Sense Media rates it 17+. The warlock kills people in gruesome ways to collect body parts for his spell. There's violence against women, body horror, and intense supernatural scares. Definitely not something you want a kid stumbling upon.

Enriching

Beyond some basic fish-out-of-water culture clash humor and a straightforward good-versus-evil framework, there's not much here. It's pure B-grade horror entertainment without meaningful themes or character development. The historical Puritan angle could spark curiosity about witch trials, but that's a stretch.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The time-travel fish-out-of-water concept (Puritan witch-hunter in 1980s LA) has genuine creative spark
Julian Sands brings charismatic menace as the villain warlock
For 80s horror fans, it's a cult curiosity with some memorable practical effects
The grimoire-hunting MacGuffin plot keeps things moving at a decent clip

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic horror violence including body mutilation and occult rituals—this earned its 17+ rating
The 1989 production values and pacing feel extremely dated; modern viewers will find it slow and cheesy
Women are primarily victims in disturbing ways throughout
Dark magic and satanic themes are front and center

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think people in the 1600s were so afraid of witchcraft?"
"If you could time travel but had to survive in a completely different era, what would be hardest to adapt to?"
"What makes a good villain in a horror movie—someone scary or someone you kind of understand?"

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