Something Wicked This Way Comes

Something Wicked This Way Comes is a fantasy thriller set in a small American town in the early twentieth century. A travelling carnival arrives, run by the sinister Mr. Dark, and the townspeople find their wishes apparently granted, though the results are not what they hoped for. Two inseparable boys, Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, become convinced that something evil lies behind the carnival's cheerful facade. With Will's weary father, Charles, they set out to resist Mr. Dark's temptations.

The film was directed by Jack Clayton, his third feature following The Innocents and The Great Gatsby, from a screenplay by Ray Bradbury, adapting his own novel. Jason Robards plays Charles Halloway, Jonathan Pryce plays Mr. Dark, and Diane Ladd, Royal Dano, Vidal Peterson and Shawn Carson appear among the twenty-five credited cast members. Peter Douglas produced for Walt Disney Productions and Bryna Productions.

Released in April 1983, the film had a budget of about 19 million dollars and returned roughly 8 million worldwide, a weak result against its cost. On IMDb it holds 6.7 out of 10 from around 13,000 votes, and on TMDB 6.5 from far fewer voters; a critics' rating of 6.7 from 35 reviews places it close to the audience scores, suggesting a modest but durable reputation rather than widespread enthusiasm.