The Witch Movie Project: Teen Witch & The Craft

Two teenage witch movies, seven years apart, reveal far more in common than their surface differences suggest. This week, Blane and Courtney break down the 1989 camp classic Teen Witch alongside the 1996 dark-edged The Craft, uncovering unexpected parallels in how both films center young women discovering power at the exact moment they feel most powerless.

Teen Witch opens with pure 80s energy, MTV aesthetics, that unforgettable "High School Blues" rap, and a girl who finds a magical necklace that lets her reshape herself. But beneath the glitter and glamour, Louise faces the same core question as every teen witch: does this power feel real if it's not actually me?

The Craft takes that same premise into darker territory. Four high school outsiders invoke real Wiccan practices, calling the corners, chanting in perfect love and perfect trust, to reclaim agency in a world that treats them as disposable. Courtney breaks down the actual symbolism: the pentacle, the rule of three, braid magic as genuine spell work. She also reveals what happened on set when they filmed the invocation scenes, strange occurrences the director couldn't explain.

Both films grapple with the same truth: witchcraft, in these stories, isn't about evil. It's about girls finding a language for power when the world offers them none.

Plus: an exclusive interview with Robin Lively, who played Louise in Teen Witch.

Subscribe wherever you listen. Watch the full episode at https://youtube.com/@ridethewavemediapodcast. More from the network at https://ridethewave.media/witch-movie-project

The Witch Movie Project, Episode 2: Suspiria (1977 & 2018)

Dario Argento's 1977 Suspiria and Luca Guadagnino's 2018 reimagining are not remakes, they are two distinct visions of the same dark premise: a dance academy concealing a coven of witches who harvest human sacrifice to sustain their power. This episode unpacks both films side by side, tracing how a single story transforms across decades of filmmaking.

The 1977 original uses technicolor distortion, the Goblins' unsettling score, and giallo-style cinematography to disorient viewers into Susie Banyan's confusion. Every frame feels like a stage set, every shadow deliberate. The newer film adds layers, political history woven through Berlin's past, the revelation that Susie herself is Mother Suspirium reincarnate, and Tilda Swinton's transformative triple role. Tom Yorke's Radiohead score replaces the Goblins' eerie drones with something equally haunting.

Both films explore the same recurring theme: belonging. Susie doesn't flee the coven, she discovers she was always meant to be there. Like the previous episode's Midsommar, the horror lies not in external threat but in the protagonist's gradual recognition that this dark world is home.

The hosts examine real folklore versus invented mythology, the craft of building suspense through long, unsettling shots, and why Dakota Johnson's years of dance training matter to the film's visceral power.

Subscribe wherever you listen. Watch the full episode at https://youtube.com/@ridethewavemediapodcast

The Witch Movie Project: The Wicker Man & Midsommar

Folk horror didn't start with Midsommar. It started in 1973 with The Wicker Man, and this episode traces that lineage through two films that ask the same question: what happens when belief systems collide?

Just Blane and Courtney Pearl break down Christopher Lee's favorite performance, the real mythology hidden in every frame, and why these movies work as both horror and commentary on community. The Wicker Man presents Sergeant Howie's Christian faith against an island's pagan rituals. Midsommar flips the script: instead of resistance, Danny finds belonging in a community that offers what her own family never could.

Both films are built on genuine folklore. The maypole, the Wheel of the Year, the runes carved into every surface, the Ättestupa ritual, these are rooted in actual Nordic and Celtic tradition, even when the movies push them toward the horrific. Courtney decodes the symbolism frame by frame: the Othala rune meaning home and inheritance, the costume design that transforms Danny from outsider to accepted member, the foreshadowing woven into murals and songs.

The real tension isn't supernatural. It's about isolation, belonging, and whether community can justify anything. One character resists. One surrenders. Both endings leave you unsettled.

Subscribe wherever you listen. Watch the full episode at https://youtube.com/@ridethewavemediapodcast

More from the network at https://ridethewave.media/witch-movie-project

Can't miss episode! Courtney and Just Blane host a live taping AND finish the season by recording on location in the cemetery that Ari Aster filmed 'Hereditary'!

📽️All Episodes: @RideTheWaveMediaPodcast

🎧All Episodes: www.ridethewavemedia.com

Welcome to an intriguing episode of The Witch Movie Project, where hosts Courtney Pearl and Just Blane take you on a journey through the unsettling worlds of "Return to Oz" and "Hereditary." This episode is a double feature, exploring the connections between these two films and their unique takes on horror and witchcraft.

Join Courtney and Blane as they discuss the eerie sequel "Return to Oz," a film that deviates from the classic "Wizard of Oz" with its darker tones and cult status. Discover the fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, including the challenges faced by director Walter Murch and the film's connection to the original Oz books by L. Frank Baum. The hosts delve into the film's creepy elements, from TikTok to the Wheelers, and the high body count that rivals even the scariest horror films.

In the second half, the hosts explore the chilling depths of "Hereditary," a film that redefines modern horror with its psychological twists and supernatural elements. Courtney and Blane analyze the film's themes of grief, family dysfunction, and the occult, highlighting Toni Collette's Oscar-worthy performance. They unravel the mystery of the demon Paimon and the cult's sinister plans, offering insights into the film's many symbols and hidden meanings.

(00:00) Ride the Wave Media and novel Daybreak present the Witch Movie Project

(01:52) Courtney and I picked our favorite witch movies out of dozens

(05:32) The movie Return to Oz is set in about 1899, so it's creepy

(07:33) This movie has the highest body count out of all the movies we pick

(10:40) Tim Burton definitely took inspiration for Jack Skellington from Jack Pumpkinhead

(11:28) There's a lot, though, to unpack. I want to talk about the Gump. Now, a gump is not real,

(12:12) Walter Murch was the director of this film

(13:29) The Wicked series is really, really good. I've read all of them. This is the last one of the series

(15:13) Now, you got final thoughts on this movie? A lot. Huh? Huh?

(16:51) You have to meet me at a certain location to watch Hereditary

(17:45) This is where they filmed the funeral scene for Hereditary

(21:37) Did you have some more thoughts on Return to Oz? Because, well, it's scary

(23:51) There's a lot of symbolism in this movie. There is. And you will not get to all of it

(26:44) The opening of the movie is when Toni Collette's mom passes away

(29:21) The Hereditary sound effect reminds me of the Grudge

(31:40) This is where the creepiness amps up quite a bit

(34:58) That whole scene driving down the road, swerving to not hit deer

(36:10) The performance of Toni Collette from the beginning of this movie is incredible

(38:20) I think we're meant to believe that this is a coven

(40:43) All these symbols add up to what's really going on in the movie

(44:29) Be careful with people who claim to be a medium or who do seances

(47:59) All I want to say is don't be fooled by the action happening in the scene

(48:57) Charlie: This movie will scar you if you watch it

(52:23) I watched all of them with my husband, and by the end they were gory

(53:16) What are your final thoughts on this movie? Do you have any more points

(55:09) I want to hear what other people out there got to say next

Don't miss this captivating episode filled with horror insights, film trivia, and a celebration of cult classics. Whether you're a fan of witchy films or love a chilling story, this episode is a must-listen.

Return to Oz (1985) [IMDb: Return to Oz](<

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Listen: RideTheWave.media

Welcome to the latest episode of The Witch Movie Project, where hosts Courtney Pearl and Just Blane delve into the enchanting world of "Practical Magic." This 1998 witchy drama, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, weaves a spellbinding tale of sisterhood, spells, and breaking curses. Join the hosts as they explore the film's themes, iconic moments, and behind-the-scenes magic, including the legendary midnight margarita scene.

Courtney and Blane share their personal connections to the film, discuss the powerful sisterhood message, and reveal intriguing insights into the making of "Practical Magic." Discover how the film's depiction of witchcraft aligns with modern magical practices and the importance of intention in spellcasting. Plus, learn about the real-life witchy antics that occurred on set, from curses to exorcisms.

(00:00) Ride the wave and Crescent Communities present the witch movie project

(01:43) Carl talks about his Halloween party centered around the witch movie project

(03:38) You grew your hair out because of a 1998 witchy drama

(04:24) The movie is based on a novel by Alice Hoffmande

(07:03) Sally Jilly Owens and Jenny Owens are witches cursed in this movie

(10:24) Love spell is ultimately what helps break family curse, right? Yeah. The actual, like, love that breaks the curse

(12:48) Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman became very close on set

(13:24) Nicole Kidman needed 70 or 80 takes for this movie

(15:17) Sethe allegedly had a witch curse on the set during filming

(17:42) The midnight margarita scene is an iconic moment in film

(22:02) Hollywood has always tried to do different things with what witchcraft and witches are

(25:51) Barbra Streisand reportedly tried to buy the house

(27:11) Dark walls are really in right now. I just painted my wall black yesterday

(28:05) Let's talk about Jimmy. This guy. Just trash. That's about the best word you could say for him

(31:38) When I first watched this movie, I was a kid, right

(35:31) They mentioned Hecate. What's the name of witchcraft goddess

(40:45) You got, you had a couple more things there on practical magic

(42:25) All right, well, I'll tell you, I loved it. I haven't seen this movie in a while

(43:43) We're about to dive into the 1987 supernatural horror slash comedy Witches of Eastwick

(48:00) Three single ladies in Eastwick are seduced by the devil

(52:49) Jack Nicholson is perfect for this role as essentially the devil

(54:10) That speech about women is both infuriating and fascinating at the same time

(56:55) The movie starts out with women talking about how they're sick of men

(01:01:44) Felicia and Clyde are front and center to me in this movie

(01:06:20) She didn't eat any cherries, you know. Yeah. I remember thinking, oh, this is horrible

(01:07:05) Let's talk about the town. Pretty stereotypical, like, New England type of

(01:10:28) For the three women, it's like liberation from societal expectations

(01:13:11) The final Wizarding World movie screening event is Saturday, October 26

(01:17:15) Let me thank our sponsors novel daybreak by Crescent communities. And South Jordan. Also, we got to thank Liv cake parties

Don't miss this captivating episode filled with magical insights, film trivia, and a celebration of witchy sisterhood. Plus, get ready for the big event on October 26, presented by Novel Daybreak by Crescent Communities, featuring a live podcast taping, movie screening, and a thrilling costume contest with fantastic prizes! Whether you're a fan of witchy films or simply love a good story, this episode

*Watch The Full Episode On YouTube!*

In this special bonus episode of The Witch Movie Project, hosts Courtney Pearl and Just Blane bring you an exclusive interview with Robyn Lively, the star of the cult classic "Teen Witch." Recorded at FanX in Salt Lake City, this episode captures the magical moment when the hosts unexpectedly met Robyn Lively, sparking an impromptu and unforgettable conversation.

Join Courtney and Blane as they dive into the empowering themes of "Teen Witch" and "The Craft," exploring how these films inspire young women to believe in themselves. Robyn Lively shares her thoughts on the enduring message of her iconic role as Louise and even treats listeners to a nostalgic rap from the movie. Discover the parallels between these two beloved witch films and celebrate the positive impact they continue to have on audiences.

(00:00) Ride the Wave and Novel Daybreak present the Witch Movie Project

(01:15) Courtney and Blane discuss the feedback from the Teen Witch vs. The Craft episode

(02:35) The serendipitous meeting with Robyn Lively at FanX

(04:12) Robyn Lively joins the conversation and talks about her role as Louise

(06:45) The empowering message of believing in yourself

(08:23) Robyn performs the famous rap from Teen Witch

(10:01) Robyn Lively supports Promise to Live and shares a heartfelt message

(12:00) Courtney receives a special amulet from Robyn

(14:30) Closing thoughts and gratitude to sponsors

Don't miss this enchanting episode filled with nostalgia, inspiration, and a touch of magic. Plus, learn about the important work of Promise2live.org, an organization dedicated to suicide prevention and awareness. Whether you're a fan of witchy films or simply love a good story, this episode is a must-listen.

Robyn Lively [Robyn Lively - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0515194/)

Teen Witch (1989) [IMDb: Teen Witch (1989)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098453/)

The Craft (1996) [IMDb: The Craft (1996)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115963/)

Promise2Live [Promise2Live](https://www.promise2live.org)

*Watch The Full Episode On YouTube!*

In this bonus episode of The Witch Movie Project, hosts Courtney Pearl and Just Blane dive into the magical world of anime with a special focus on two classics: "Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Howl's Moving Castle." This episode is a delightful surprise for anime enthusiasts, featuring an exclusive interview with the prolific voice actress, Ryan Bartley, known for her work in over 170 anime and video games.

Join Courtney and Blane as they explore Ryan's journey in the anime industry, her love for Miyazaki films, and her role as a voice actress. Discover how Ryan's passion for anime and voice acting has shaped her career, and listen as she shares her experiences working on beloved films like "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire." Ryan also discusses the challenges and rewards of being a voice actor, offering inspiring messages of hope and encouragement for those pursuing their dreams.

(00:00) This is a bonus episode with the anime classics Kiki and Howl

(01:33) Ryan Bartley loves anime. Did you really enjoy anime growing up

(03:55) Arnold has been doing voiceover since he was a kid

(05:19) Acting is a lot of rejection, so how do you deal with it

(09:25) Ryan Gosling talks about working on the latest Ghostbusters movie

(11:23) Courtney says she would love to do voiceover work someday

Don't miss the chance to hear Ryan Bartley's insightful conversation and join us for our big event on October 26, presented by Novel Daybreak by Crescent Communities. Enjoy a live podcast taping, movie screening, and a thrilling costume contest with exciting prizes! Whether you're a fan of anime or witchy themes, this episode is a must-listen.

Kiki's Delivery Service [IMDb: Kiki's Delivery Service](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097814/)

Howl's Moving Castle [IMDb: Howl's Moving Castle](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347149/)

Ryan Bartley [Ryan Bartley - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3211470/)

*Watch The Full Episode On YouTube!*

In this enchanting episode of The Witch Movie Project, join hosts Courtney Pearl and Just Blane as they venture into the magical worlds of "Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Howl's Moving Castle." This week, they explore the captivating artistry and empowering themes that make these Hayao Miyazaki classics timeless treasures.

Courtney and Blane dive into the stunning animation, the inspiring female role models, and the whimsical storytelling that define these films. Discover how "Kiki's Delivery Service" showcases a young witch's journey to independence and self-discovery, while "Howl's Moving Castle" presents a tale of transformation and courage amidst the chaos of war. The hosts also touch upon the cultural significance and the universal appeal of these beloved anime masterpieces.

(00:00) Ride the wave and novel daybreak present the witch movie project

(02:17) Liv cake parties is gonna decorate the event

(03:24) Let's talk about two movies slash three, maybe bonus. Yeah, we're going to kind of add in that bonus movie

(04:31) You got transported. Transported to an, uh. anime universe

(05:02) Courtney Hill says she put anime off because it seemed cheesy

(11:15) Who is voice, the english voice? Um, Phil Hartman

(13:28) Wittc h: Miyazaki does a great job with female role models

(17:57) Tombo is the young boy who becomes a good friend to Kiki

(21:44) Besoms were used by witches to clean their house, um,

(23:57) Kiki loses her powers, but she gets them back through friendship

(26:18) Hal: Howl's moving castle is a fantasy romance with some wit

(28:11) Gene Simmons, old Sophie, Billy Crystal. Go through the rest of those people that are voices in this

(29:24) Howl's moving castle was inspired by a book by Diana Wynne Jones

(32:02) Sophie gets harassed by soldiers in the beginning of the movie

(34:23) I think anime got a bad rap somewhere along the way

(36:35) Old Sophie wakes up, she's like 90 years old in her body

(39:43) Howl howls against the war that's happening in this novel

(41:04) Sophie takes care of the witch of the waste in the movie

(43:09) Spirited away is our, like, third we have to mention

(43:51) All of these movies have this sort of theme of transporting into another world

(46:53) The war going on. I want to also note that that was not in the novel

(47:52) I want to point out that throughout the movie, you see Sophie break the curse of being old

(50:31) Ride the Wave media is hosting a Halloween party in October

Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in these beautifully crafted worlds and join us for our big event on October 26, presented by Novel Daybreak by Crescent Communities. Enjoy a live podcast taping, movie screening, and a costume contest with exciting prizes! Whether you're a fan of anime or simply love a good story, this episode is a must-listen.

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) [IMDb: Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097814/)

Howl's Moving Castle (2004) [IMDb: Howl's Moving Castle (2004)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347149/)

Hayao Miyazaki [Hayao Miyazaki - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0594503/)

Phil Hartman [Phil Hartman - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0367005/)

Kirsten Dunst [Kirsten Dunst - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000379/)

Christian Bale [Christian Bale - IMDb](https://www.imdb