Forbidden Fruits
The brief
Meredith Alloway turns a dead mall into a surprisingly effective horror playground where Victoria Pedretti's unhinged energy anchors a cast that commits fully to the campy witchcraft premise. The film walks a tricky tightrope between social satire and genuine scares, mostly landing on its feet thanks to genuinely creepy basement sequences that feel claustrophobic and wrong. Lili Reinhart sheds her Riverdale sweetness completely here, delivering something darker and more interesting than her previous work. Perfect for anyone who loved The Love Witch's feminist horror mood or wished Suspiria had more millennial workplace anxiety.
The verdict
If you're drawn to feminist horror that blends workplace satire with genuine scares and can appreciate campy witchcraft executed with full commitment, this is a strong recommend for your next horror night. If you prefer straightforward scares without social commentary or can't tolerate tonal shifts between comedy and genuine creepiness, you'll find this too uneven to enjoy.
Watch with
- 👥 Horror fans who appreciate feminist themes
- 👥 Perfect for a spooky night with the coven
- ⚠️ Skip if you're sensitive to occult themes
Heads up
- Graphic violence and blood (moderate)
- Occult/witchcraft themes throughout (frequent)
- Claustrophobic basement sequences (moderate)
- Psychological manipulation between characters (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Meredith Alloway
- Cast
- Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Chamberlain, Gabrielle Union, Hailey Summer
Official synopsis
Free Eden employee Apple secretly runs a witchy femme cult in the basement of the mall store after hours –
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Rose (2026)
Both explore toxic female dynamics through horror and botanical symbolism.
Total runtime: 1h 43m + 1h 33m = 3h 16m
