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Tammy Lauren, Andrew Divoff, Robert Englund, Tony Todd, Wendy Benson ... see more see more... , Tony Crane , Chris Lemmon , Jenny O'Hara , Kane Hodder , Reggie Bannister

An evil genie, the Djinn (Andrew Divoff), escapes from an ancient statue and wreaks havoc in this horror film from director Robert Kurtzman. The devious Djinn can regain human form permanently if he g... read more read more...rants someone three wishes. The Djinn at first is trapped in a statue, which falls and cracks open when a drunken worker unloads it from a ship. The genie is inside a precious gem that a puzzled pawnbroker gives to university gemologist Josh (Tony Crane). The Djinn kills Josh, and Josh's friend and colleague Alexandra Amberson (Tammy Lauren), who had been resisting Josh's romantic advances, sets out to find the killer. She follows a trail of carnage, and she soon learns the truth about the genie from anthropologist Wendy Derleth (Jenny O'Hara). The Djinn presents itself to Alexandra, who resists his seductive offers to grant wishes, but then the fiend sets his sights on Shannon (Wendy Benson), Alexandra's younger sister. The genie makes his final stand to grant a third wish at a party where antiquities collector Anthony Beaumont (Robert Englund) is displaying the statue. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Flixster Users

47% liked it

27,335 ratings

Critics

21% liked it

28 critics

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Robert Kurtzman

Release Date: June 1, 1997

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DVD Release Date: July 25, 2000

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Stats: 748 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (748)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 30, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Wishmaster is an interesting idea for a horror flick. The film presents the viewer with the plot of an evil genie who grants you three wishes, but destroys your life without you enjoying what you desire. The actor playing the Djinn, Andrew Divoff is good here, and he makes the fi... read morelm better. The film tends to rely on excessive violence and gore to create the horror. In some way it tries to elevate the film a bit. However, it doesn't really work at times. This is still entertaining for what it is, but the script does show its limitations, and you know that it could have been much better. With this film they just stuck with a traditional formula for horror violence, instead of exploring further the concept of an evil genie. I think the film at times lacked focus, and it brought it down a notch. If you're looking for a good film, then this is it. However don't expect anything remarkable. With its interesting idea, I was surprised how under developed the film was. I felt that it was a good flick, but it lacked something to really make it stand out, and be of real interest for horror fans. Expect something good with this one, and you may not be disappointed. Despite its interesting idea, Wishmaster ends up just being another gore induced horror flick. Though entertaining, this could have been a far better film too. For what it is, this is a mindless horror film worth watching because of its interesting ideas. However, you are left wanting more out of this film as well. Aside from lots of gore, which may appeal to the gore hounds out there, this film doesn't offer anything really remarkable in terms of genuine chills and terror.
  • moonrivers
    March 16, 2012
    moonrivers
    The director began as a makeup artist ... which means lotsa makeup effects, lots of them (its the reason for the film), but with a lame-o script there's not a lot of reasons for them. Still the premise is good even if the execution leaves a lot to be desired, and so its a good ... read morenight with a bad movie.
  • Deano78
    October 8, 2011
    Deano78
    A fun idea for a new slasher premise, at least 3 sequels were made. The SFX do look a bit dated now and the gore effects, along with a lot of elements to the film do look a little low budget. With Wes Craven as exec producer and starring Robert Englund and cameos by Tony Todd and... read more Kane Hodder adds a few nice touches for the horror fans. Andrew Divoff plays the evil Djinn very well and with a dark sense of humour. It is a bit cheesy but has a certain charm to it, one for gore fans and horror buffs will enjoy it more than most.
  • kiriyamakazou
    April 25, 2010
    kiriyamakazou
    With all the slashers that came after Scream, it's nice to see a gimmicky supernatural monster doing the rounds. Rather than haunting dreams, this guy grants wishes, but uses a number of amusing play on word jokes, to make sure the wishes end in disaster. It's a bit of fun, with ... read moresome dodgy CGI, and nice practical effects. More for gore than genuine chills. Divoff has a lot of fun as the Djinn, and there are plenty of horror icon cameo's to spot. A fun evenings viewing.
  • ythelastman89
    November 18, 2009
    ythelastman89
    Andrew Divoff (a.k.a Mikael from lost) made this movie worth watching. He is probably one of the best villains, but the movie suffers from cheap effects and a dragging plot. It makes no sense at times, but it has a lot of unintentionally hilarious moments.
  • SirPant
    October 1, 2009
    SirPant
    Fun idea. I liked the orgy scene but a lot of the 'Wishes' didn't make sense, like the 'I wish I could escape' scene. Mindless fun.
  • superclerk25
    April 26, 2009
    superclerk25
    A plain horror movie that gave way to many sequels. Very straight to video in my opinion.
  • 366weirdmovies
    February 15, 2009
    366weirdmovies
    A malevolent Djinn released into modern times will rule the world if he can trick a woman into asking him to grant her three wishes. Fun enough horror outing that could have been much better if it put as much effort into the cat-and-mouse aspects of the wishing game as it does t... read morehe (admittedly good) special effects.
  • puffchunk
    October 18, 2008
    puffchunk
    Despite the numerous plot holes, silly storyline and equal acting, I must admit this film has great special effects and a high fun-factor. Any movie that can incorporate a guy turning into sand, skeletons ripping out of bodies and killing people, killer statues and the bum from ... read moreback to the future gets an A in my book.
  • newvogueravyn
    September 27, 2007
    newvogueravyn
    Not as cheesy as I was expecting it to be, and some of the special effects are actually pretty, well, effective.

View All Wes Craven Presents Wishmaster Reviews

Critic Reviews

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Includes an all-star horror cast. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

My best advice to anyone reading this review -- even someone who considers himself or herself a fan of horror movies -- is to stay away. Full Review

Peter Stack
January 1, 2000
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

An extravaganza of bad special effects and worse acting Full Review

Jeff Millar
January 1, 2000
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

It will be of interest to none but goreheads, who are likely to find the gore rather cheesy.

Stefan Birgir Stefansson
February 21, 2008
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is

Very kick ass

Scott Weinberg
April 17, 2005
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

A bunch of elaborate gore bits surrounded by a whole lot of stupidity.

Gerry Shamray
July 6, 2003
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland

Gimmicky but smart horror film.

John J. Puccio
May 7, 2001
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...two times zero doesn't add up to much.

James Sanford
January 1, 2000
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

Makeup artist-turned-director Robert Kurtzman splashes around as much blood as possible to cover up the fact that 'Wishmaster's' script is about as consistently terrifying as 'Pocahontas.' Full Review

Chris Hicks
January 1, 2000
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Gruesome, nasty and mean-spirited, with emphasis on gory, gooey special effects. Full Review

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Wes Craven Presents Wishmaster Trivia

  • Which 1997 movie, directed by Robert Kurtzman, has the tagline 'Be careful what you wish for.'?  Answer »
  • Legends of horror Tony Todd, Kane Hodder, Ted Raimi, Robert Englund and Angus Scrimm all appeared in what 1997 film together? (Hint: It's about an evil genie)  Answer »
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