Good Witch: Curse From a Rose

Good Witch: Curse From a Rose is a whimsical and mystical addition to Hallmark’s beloved Good Witch series, a content context that brings back familiar faces in a refreshing new narrative arch, filled with magic, mystery, and a splash of romance. The magnetic Catherine Bell, known for her role in JAG and Army Wives, reprises her role as Cassie Nightingale, the titular "Good Witch." Graceful yet strong, Cassie with her serene and sagacious persona, continues to have us charmed and hopeful. Sarah Power reprises her role as Abigail, who is direct and unabashedly herself, flawlessly merging confidence with warmth. Catherine Disher returns as the quirky and vivacious Mayor Martha Tinsdale, whose zesty energy and innate curiosity make her a lively character.

Directed by Craig Pryce and written by Darin Goldberg, Good Witch: Curse From a Rose delicately blends humor, tradition, and small-town charm with a dash of magic and spirituality. The movie is set in the idyllic and enchanting small town of Middleton and beautifully captures the essence of small-town life, replete with close friendships, annual traditions, and an affable community.

As Halloween approaches, Middleton is abuzz with joyous preparation for the annual Harvest Festival, a longstanding tradition cherished by all. Meanwhile, darkness lurks on the horizon as an old friend and college roommate of Cassie's named Autumn Delaney, played by Marnie Van Der Burgh, rolls into town unexpectedly. An envious enchantress hell-bent on causing chaos, Autumn's arrival in Middleton heralds a spree of strange occurrences, unraveling secrets, and malevolent magic.

Onto the warm colors and chilling winds of October in Middleton, the calm and collected world of Cassie Nightingale jumbles up as she scrambles to neutralize the chaos stirred by her old friend, save her town, and preserve the happiness of the festival. Simultaneously, the determined and honest Abigail grapples with her own problems, struggling with love and relationships, bringing facet of romance and emotions to the film's magic theme.

Despite the presence of an evil enchantress, the film does not shy away from presenting a lighter and feel-good side of witchcraft, justifying its moniker of 'Good Witch.' The concept of witchcraft is portrayed with an intriguing mix of ancestral wisdom, herbal remedies, and grandmother's tales, making it feel homespun and benign rather than grim or sinister. The movie treats witchcraft as more of a spiritual calling, a way to connect with nature and tap into the universe's wisdom rather than a means to gain power or control others, a refreshing perspective that sets it apart.

Mayor Martha with her roll-up-your-sleeves attitude, tries to keep the town’s Harvest Festival on track despite the mounting abnormalities. Disher's performance adds a buoyant spirit to the evolving tensions and supernatural imbroglios, further contributing to the dynamic narrative arc of this quaint and charming tale.

Good Witch: Curse From a Rose, like its preceding entries, maintains a perfect balance between the mystical and mundane aspects. The movie continues to champion the power of love, friendship, and community, with the magical undercurrent serving as a metaphor for the innate power within us and the magic that comes from connection and understanding.

The cinematography of the movie deserves special mention, successful in capturing the autumnal beauty of Middleton, the bliss of small-town life, and the mystique of the supernatural events with an artistic eye. The film beautifully uses light and color to create an enthralling ambiance that adds to the overall mood of the narrative.

With a well-knit story, endearing performances, and the right amount of magic and mystique, Good Witch: Curse From a Rose proves to be an enjoyable and impactful watch. It successfully retains the charm that the audience has come to expect from the Good Witch series while incorporating an exciting addition of the supernatural, ensuring that it never loses touch with its roots. This feel-good and comforting story reminding us to embrace change and the unexpected, truly embodying the spirit of Halloween, making it an essential watch around the All Hallows Eve.