“Practical Magic” Hired a Witch Consultant, and Then She Put a ‘Chilling’ Curse on the Film

A real witch tried to curse Practical Magic

In a bizarre turn of events, the film Practical Magic found itself entangled in a real-life curse after hiring a witch consultant for authenticity. The 1998 romantic movie, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, delves into the world of curses and witches, making the curse that followed its production even more ironic.

Director Griffin Dunne revealed in a 2023 interview with Vanity Fair that the decision to hire a witch consultant was meant to make the rituals in the film feel more realistic. However, what started as a straightforward hire soon spiraled into a chilling subplot for the film. The witch consultant, who was paid handsomely by Warner Brothers, took offense to the offer and demanded a share of the film’s profits and even rights to publish a Practical Magic cookbook.

The situation escalated when the witch left a curse on the director’s voicemail in a mysterious language, threatening to sue the studio. Dunne described the experience as chilling and handed the recording over to the legal department, who promptly settled the matter with a cheque. Despite efforts to contain the situation, whispers of the curse lingered on set.

Although Dunne played down the impact of the curse, an unfortunate incident where a crew member’s elderly father passed away before filming began raised questions among the cast and crew. Despite attempts to quell the rumours, the curse became a topic of fascination for the lead actresses, Bullock and Kidman, sparking discussions throughout production.

Despite the eerie atmosphere surrounding the curse, Practical Magic was completed, with Dunne reflecting on the experience as a peculiar adventure that often accompanies film productions. He acknowledged the heightened energy on set during the exorcism scene, where the intensity of the performances felt like delving into uncharted territory. The chanting and energy of the scene added to the mystique of the curse’s presence during filming.

As discussions of the curse continued, the legacy of Practical Magic remains intertwined with this strange chapter in its production history. The film’s enduring popularity and cult following only serve to heighten the intrigue surrounding the real-life curse that briefly plagued the set.