Guest post by Hex Education author Maureen Kilmer
Maureen Kilmer graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and three children. She thankfully has not had to battle the forces of darkness (unless going to Costco on a Saturday counts). She is also the author of Suburban Hell, her horror debut.
Releasing on September 19th, Hex Education is Bewitched meets Yellowjackets where a former coven reunites to stop their lives from going up in flames.
Halloween has always been my favorite time of the year. From the decorations to the scented candles, cozy blankets, and the feeling of possibilities and magic in the air—I love it all. But my favorite aspect of spooky season has always been scary movies and television shows. As a child with a deep, innate love for all things horror—I hosted a sleepover in seventh grade to watch the original Halloween. I was shocked when some friends opted out—I naturally gravitated toward movies about witches. There is something about wish fulfillment, about claiming power that comes from within, about a group of women coming together to make things happen, that resonates with me even today. Who wouldn’t want a magic arsenal of supports and tools to make their life easier, better? Even now, as an adult, I find witches and witchcraft fascinating.
Thus, when I sat down to write HEX EDUCATION, I thought about the witchy movies and television shows that resonated with me in my younger years. Here is a list of my favorite “vintage” witch portrayals that I used as inspiration as I wrote the book:
1. Charmed
This show first aired while I was in college. My roommate, who did not share my love for all things witchy, would hide under her comforter or run to the room next door when the show came on. Three sisters, imbued with genetic magic powers, fighting to save innocent lives with a touch of romance on the side—what’s not to love? I recently discovered that it’s still aired in morning reruns. After rewatching, I can confidently say it holds up.
2. The Craft
The seminal witch movie of my teen years. The witches in the movie enact revenge on the mean girls and terrible guys in their high school. Did I mention witchcraft as wish fulfillment?
3. Hocus Pocus
As soon as my daughter was old enough, I had her watch this movie. She now fires it up annually just after Labor Day, assuring me I did something correct as a parent. My evergreen thought on the movie is that I really, really want to go to a Halloween party like the one all the parents attend. Minus the enchantment and danger to my kids.
4. The Worst Witch
Fairuza Balk’s first witch movie, prior to The Craft, also starring Tim Curry. I recently rewatched this, and I had many questions. One of which was why there was a trippy, hallucinogenic music video in the middle of the movie.
5. Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Salem the talking cat was definitely an inspiration for Katy Furry, a sassy orange tabby cat who gains the ability to speak after some magic goes awry in my book.
6. Teen Witch
Where to begin with this one? Random musical numbers, Madame Serena, high 80s fashion, the dreams of becoming the most popular girl in school. Truly nothing else can ‘Top That.’
7. The Blair Witch Project
The last scene of the movie is etched into my brain. I remember when the credits rolled in the theater, everyone sat in stunned silence. Not to mention the fantastic marketing campaign that preceded the release. I watched the faux documentary before I saw the movie, unaware that it was all a stunt. It made the ending that much scarier.
8. The Witches
Apologies to my younger brother, but I still chuckle when I remember his panicked reaction to the scene when the witches reveal themselves. They peel back their regular human skin (if Angelica Houston can be called ‘regular’ anything), and emerge in their witch form. Their terrifying appearances are somewhat similar to how I look when I’m on deadline for a book.
9. Halloweentown
This is another movie I’ve required my children to watch. Released long before the days of HD, it’s grainy, blurry, and fantastic. Disney Channel in the 90s and 2000s had quite a plethora of fantastic original movies (Smart House, anyone?), but Halloweentown will always be at the top. If anyone has found the secret portal to Halloweentown, please send it my way.
10. The Wizard of Oz
The classic witch movie. Although evil, the Wicked Witch really got dealt a bad hand. Dorothy dropped an actual house on her sister, and then stole her shoes. Sorry Dorothy, but I get it.
I hope some of these movies or shows make it into your yearly Halloween viewing! I will be snuggled up with a cup of tea as I watch the witches right the world’s wrongs, from the comfort of my couch.
