Tarot, a 2024 American supernatural horror movie, marks the directorial debut of Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Nicholas Adams. Derived from Nicholas Adams’ 1992 novel “Horrorscope,” the film features a cast including Harriet Slater, Adain Bradley, Avantika Vandanapu, Wolfgang Novogratz, Humberly González, Larsen Thompson, and Jacob Batalon. Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, Tarot hit theaters in the United States on May 3, 2024.
CHARACTERS
- Harriet Slater portrays Haley.
- Jacob Batalon takes on the role of Paxton
- Avantika Vandanapu plays Paige.
- Adain Bradley appears as Grant
- Humberly González embodies the character of Madeline.
- Wolfgang Novogratz portrays Lucas.
- Larsen Thompson assumes the role of Elise.
- Olwen Fouéré stars as Alma Astryn.
STORYLINE
A group of friends, including Haley, Grant, Paxton, Paige, Madeline, Lucas, and Elise, decide to celebrate Elise’s birthday by renting a mansion in the Catskills. However, tensions arise within the group due to Haley and Grant’s recent breakup. In an attempt to distract themselves, they turn to Haley, who reads their horoscopes using a box of peculiar tarot cards found in the mansion’s basement, despite Haley’s warning that using someone else’s deck violates the rules of Tarot. As each member receives their card, eerie events unfold, particularly when Haley draws the Death card for herself.
Upon returning to campus the next day, the friends notice that Haley’s readings are eerily accurate, with Lucas receiving a financial reward and other predictions coming to fruition. However, the seemingly harmless game takes a dark turn when Elise is brutally killed by a monstrous version of the High Priestess card. As more tragedies befall the group, Haley reveals her long-standing connection to Tarot, which she used to predict her mother’s death during her illness.
Concerned that the tarot cards are responsible for the deaths, the group seeks help from Alma Astryn, an occult expert. Alma unveils the dark history of the cards, revealing that they were cursed by an Astrologer whose daughter was killed after predicting a tragic event. Urged by Alma to destroy the deck, the group heads back to the mansion, only to face further terror as they are attacked by manifestations of the tarot cards.
As the group battles for survival, they must confront the dark forces unleashed by the cursed deck. Ultimately, Haley confronts the Astrologer’s spirit, leading to a climactic showdown where she releases her grief and breaks the curse, destroying the cards and ending the terror. With their ordeal over, Haley and Grant reconcile, and the group begins their journey home, relieved to have survived the nightmare.
BOX-OFFICE COLLECTION
As of May 5, 2024, the supernatural horror film Tarot has earned $6.5 million in the United States and Canada, with an additional $3.7 million from other territories, resulting in a global box office total of $10.2 million.
Upon its release in the United States and Canada, Tarot premiered alongside The Fall Guy, with initial projections estimating an opening weekend gross of $5-6 million from 3,104 theatres. The film exceeded expectations by generating $2.5 million on its first day, which included $715,000 from preview screenings. Ultimately, Tarot debuted with a total of $6.3 million, securing a fourth-place position at the box office.
