When I saw the trailer for the new movie Tarot, I thought, “That’s going to be terrible. When does it come out?”
Tarot is the latest offering in the carnival of horror tropes and clichés. My expectations were low. I only saw it because the tarot seemed crucial to the plot, and I wanted to see what the film did with it. While many Pagans and tarot enthusiasts dismissed or laughed at the trailer, others, particularly professional readers, expressed concerns. Many people are afraid of the tarot and movies like Tarot reinforce fears. In this blog, I review the new movie Tarot and debunk some myths about the tarot.
The movie 'Tarot' (no spoilers)
Tarot follows a group of seven university friends who rent a mansion in the middle of nowhere to celebrate a birthday. When they run out of alcohol and search the house for more, they break into a locked room. The room is filled of curiosities, including a deck of handpainted tarot cards in a wooden box with the zodiac wheel and inverted pentagram.
Haley (Harriet Slater), our pretty, white, blonde heroine, knows a little about divination, and the group urges her to read the cards for them. In doing so, she unleashes a curse and dooms our protagonists. Who could have seen that coming?
After the first two deaths, the survivors start to piece the puzzle together. With the help of Google, they enlist the aid of an expert astrologer, learn more about the curse, and seek a way to break it.
Tarot has an interesting visual landscape and creative moments but they don’t compensate for its shortcomings. Some critics will blame its PG-13 rating, but a film doesn’t need an R or M rating to be terrifying. Poltergeist (1982), The Sixth Sense (1999), The Others (2001), The Ring (2002), The Exorcism Of Emily Rose (2005), and A Quiet Place (2018) are all PG-13 films that delivered rich characters, tension, and sophisticated chills. The problem with Tarot is the basic, contrived, and predictable plot; this film has no surprises. The movie relies heavily on jumpscares, its characters are bland and underdeveloped, and the dialogue is terrible. Also, why aren’t there any extras in this movie? The dorms are empty, the metro is empty; where is everyone?
Tarot and astrology in 'Tarot' (spoilers ahead)
We can’t talk about the use of tarot and astrology in the movie without spoilers. Skip this section if you prefer to avoid movie spoilers.
When she reads the tarot, the heroine, Haley, uses the cards to “read the stars”. She lays 12 cards in a circle representing the zodiac. A 13th card in the centre “indicates the overall theme of the reading”.
Haley’s first reading is for the birthday girl. She tells Elise (Larsen Thompson) that, as a Libra, she is investigative and needs to make sense of the world, but her curiosity leads her into the unknown. Elise is climbing the ladder of success, but the 13th card, the High Priestess reversed, is a warning to slow down; she could cause Elise to slip up and suffer a crushing blow.
The next night, Elise investigates strange noises in her dorm’s attic, and the High Priestess attacks and bludgeons her to death with the ladder leading to the attic. Tarot is a horror movie, so the tarot figures must be horrific.
Within the first 15 minutes of the movie, Haley unwittingly predicts how each person will die and which tarot figure will kill them. The film uses astrology to affirm the characters are fated to die, reminiscent of Final Destination (2000). However, it would’ve been just another night and a mediocre tarot reading if the deck wasn’t cursed.
When Haley and her friends enlist the help of an expert astrologer, they learn that the tarot deck belonged to an 18th-century astrologer who served a Hungarian Count. When the astrologer correctly predicted that the Count’s pregnant wife and child would die in childbirth, he ordered his men to kill the astrologer’s daughter. Enraged with grief, the astrologer killed herself during a ritual to curse the tarot deck to kill anyone who used the cards.
Many horror movies have mommy issues, but I wonder if Hollywood realises that the vengeful mother is not a wholly unsympathetic character. At least Haley acknowledges that the astrologer is a woman in much pain.
Debunking 'Tarot' movie myths (no spoilers)
The film depicts tarot figures as frightening characters that harm the protagonists. While this can make for thrilling cinema (in another movie), it misrepresents the tarot.
Tarot is a centuries-old practice that combines art, intuition, and symbolism to provide insights and guidance. Far from being a source of fear, tarot cards are tools for self-reflection, personal growth, and understanding.
Most tarot decks feature imagery rich in symbolism but not frightening. Traditional decks like the Rider-Waite-Smith, for instance, use detailed and colourful illustrations that convey their meanings through familiar archetypes and scenes. The imagery is designed to be evocative and thought-provoking rather than terrifying.
Some modern tarot decks have a darker aesthetic. These decks often appeal to those who appreciate gothic art or enjoy exploring the shadow aspects of their psyche. While the artwork in these decks might be more intense or macabre, the underlying purpose is to provide insight and facilitate personal growth. The choice of deck is highly individual, and what resonates with one person might not be with another.
Let’s debunk some more myths about the tarot.
Myth: Tarot is evil or dangerous
Tarot cards are not instruments of evil or malevolent forces. The tarot is a tool with no inherent power. They are a medium through which we can explore our thoughts, feelings, and circumstances. Tarot readings are safe and can be incredibly enlightening. They can offer comfort, guidance, and clarity in times of uncertainty.
Myth 2: Tarot predicts a fixed future
The future is not predetermined; our actions and choices shape our paths. Tarot is not about foretelling inevitable events. Instead, it provides a snapshot of potential outcomes based on current energies and circumstances. Tarot helps to highlight possibilities and guide decisions.
Myth 3: Using another person's deck is bad luck
In Tarot, Haley warns her friends that using another person’s tarot deck is bad luck before she proceeds to read for them. This belief likely stems from the idea that tarot decks absorb the energy of their owners. While it’s true that personal items can carry energy, this does not mean that using another person’s deck is inherently harmful. You can cleanse and charge a tarot deck before using it and infuse it with your energy and intentions. Many readers find that using different decks, whether borrowed or gifted, can provide new perspectives and enrich their practice. Be sure to ask a person for permission to use their deck.
Tarot might not be a cinematic masterpiece, but it can still be enjoyable, especially for those who eat up anything with occult themes or want to procrastinate for 92 minutes. The film does little to help the reputation of tarot cards (or astrology), but at least it provides an opportunity to dispel myths and promote a deeper understanding of this beautiful tool for introspection, guidance, and personal growth.
Tarot is PG-13 and playing now in movie theatres.
