Pushing the Limits of Belief and Reality

Read Time:4 Minute, 20 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
A Cursed Man
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 38m
Director(s): Liam Le Guillou
Where To Watch: in select theaters on March 22, 2025, and VOD on March 25

RAVING REVIEW: Some ideas may be best left unexplored, but that doesn’t stop this documentary from charging straight into the unknown. The premise is as risky as it is fascinating: an attempt to determine whether magic is real by inviting the worst of it. Liam Le Guillou places himself at the mercy of magic practitioners worldwide, willingly subjecting himself to curses to separate myth from reality. A genuinely thought-provoking journey follows that blurs the line between belief, science, and psychological influence.

The film wastes no time establishing its stakes, opening with a simple but powerful question: can a curse change your life? The quest kicks off in California, where respected practitioners in the Ced tradition offer a stark warning—dabbling in forces one doesn’t understand is dangerous, even if done in the name of curiosity. Still, the pursuit continues, with a minor ritual performed not to harm but to heighten awareness. Whether this truly shifts the filmmaker’s perception or merely plants a seed of expectation is left to interpretation.

New Orleans offers the first major test of the premise. Long associated with mysticism, the city presents a mix of skepticism and caution. Some spiritual figures outright refuse to participate, dismissing the concept as reckless or disrespectful. However, a hoodoo practitioner ultimately agrees to place a curse, setting the film on its course. Soon, unexplained experiences emerge—disturbing dreams, mysterious sensations—but whether these are genuine supernatural effects or the power of suggestion remains the core question.

From there, the journey expands globally, with stops in India and Mexico to encounter those who claim the ability to cast and break curses. The visuals here capture each ritual's intensity in immersive and intimate ways. The deeper the filmmaker descends into this world, the more layered the exploration becomes. The idea that belief might be the most powerful force at play is explored through interviews with scientists and psychologists, lending a grounded counterpoint to supernatural elements. These moments provide an analytical perspective but never quite dismantle the uncertainty that lingers over the entire experiment.

One of the film’s strengths is its ability to create tension without resorting to manufactured scares. There’s no need for ominous sound effects or jump cuts—the genuine unease comes from the subject matter itself. The way these ceremonies unfold, with their intricate details and long-standing traditions, is unsettling in a way that feels raw rather than staged. Watching the filmmaker willingly step into situations where others refuse adds unpredictability, making for an engrossing viewing experience.

That said, the documentary doesn’t entirely avoid some structural issues. It sometimes struggles to balance its multiple perspectives, shifting between firsthand experiences, expert interviews, and context without always weaving them together. Some segments feel underexplored, particularly regarding the psychological implications of belief. A more thorough breakdown of how fear and expectations can physically manifest could have strengthened the argument that perception plays as big a role as any supernatural force.

The film does exceptionally well in challenging the audience to question their biases. Whether approaching the subject as a believer, skeptic, or someone on the fence, it presents enough material to provoke thought without forcing conclusions. Some may see the entire experiment as confirmation of magic’s existence, while others may argue that it’s a testament to the mind’s ability to shape reality. Either way, it doesn’t let viewers off the hook easily, refusing to offer a simple resolution.

It’s rare to see someone voluntarily participate in such an experiment, making the personal stakes all the more engaging. The fact that it doesn’t provide definitive answers may frustrate some, but that ambiguity makes it compelling for others. This film is about belief—whether in the supernatural, the psychological, or the unknown forces that shape our lives.

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[photo courtesy of SECOND SHOT FILMS, ROBBINSCAGE]

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