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Wishmaster
1997 90 min United States of America R 18+
★5.6
Horror, Fantasy
Director: Robert Kurtzman
Trailers
Description
The Djinn, having been released from his ancient prison, seeks to capture the soul of the woman who discovered him, thereby opening a portal and freeing his fellow Djinn to take over the earth.
Budget:
$5M
US Gross:
$15.74M
Worldwide:
$15.74M
Starring
Tammy Lauren
Actor
Andrew Divoff
Actor
Angus Scrimm
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1998
— Best VHS Edition
Key opinion
Wishmaster is widely regarded as an inventive, cult-favorite horror film that succeeds primarily due to the charismatic performance of Andrew Divoff and impressive practical effects. While the film is often criticized for its thin script, low-budget constraints, and inconsistent narrative, it remains a notable entry in the late 90s horror landscape for its unique genie premise.
| Acting | Andrew Divoff delivers a standout, charismatic performance as the Djinn that anchors the film. | |
| Production | Practical makeup and physical creature effects are consistently praised for their quality despite the film's modest budget. | |
| Originality | The film is lauded for its novel and intriguing premise of a malevolent genie granting twisted, lethal wishes. | |
| Pacing | The narrative balance is divisive; some appreciate the brisk pacing and inventive set-pieces, while others find the script thin and the story execution erratic. | |
| Production | Critics are split on the production values; some feel the practical craft overcomes the cheap aesthetic, while others find the overall visual presentation to be low-rent or dated. |