Cursed (2005)

Cursed is the kind of studio werewolf movie that remembers horror can be wickedly fun, especially with Wes Craven at the wheel, nudging the scares and the jokes into the same lane until they start feeding each other. Set in a glossy, night-lit Los Angeles, it plays like a pulpy creature feature with a self-aware grin—snappy, brisk, and happy to get a little messy when the claws come out. Christina Ricci grounds the madness with sharp, likable presence, while Joshua Jackson and a young Jesse Eisenberg add just enough charm and nervous energy to keep you rooting for them as the curse tightens its grip. It’s not subtle and it’s not “Scream,” but if you want a playful, suspenseful ride with some satisfyingly gnarly moments, this one delivers a healthy yelp.

Cursed is clearly trying to be a slick, self-aware werewolf romp in the Scream mold—Los Angeles satire, teen angst, and creature-feature thrills all in one package. The problem is it rarely commits to being scary or funny, so you’re left with a predictable plot, choppy pacing, and effects that look more goofy than gruesome, especially for a Wes Craven title. If you want a sharp horror-comedy with real bite or a genuinely tense werewolf movie, this will likely feel like a watered-down, studio-sanded compromise. That said, Christina Ricci brings some likable energy, and there are a few entertaining moments if you’re in the mood for early-2000s camp rather than quality scares.