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Despite falling short of masterpiece status, The Covenant demonstrated director Renny Harlin's mastery of suspenseful storytelling.
In the quaint Massachusetts town, Harlin set the compelling premise of teenage children inheriting supernatural powers from ancestral witches' covens, setting the stage for an inevitable chaotic showdown.
Where he really excelled was in capturing the irresistible fantasy drama of a volatile youth. Led by a charismatic cast including Taylor Kitsch and Sebastian Stan, the tensions between peers crackled with hormonal volatility.
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Then, when the effects kick in, Harlin orchestrates with panache. The fast-paced witchy climax brings a satisfyingly grandiloquent twist to genre conventions.
While the logic of the plot could have been flawed, the film worked very well as stylish entertainment on substance perfectly suited to its young audience. It deserves respect for what it achieved within its limitations.
With slicker visual effects and a tighter script, the Covenant universe could have taken off. As it stands, it's a divertimento that achieves its primary goals admirably.
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At the US box office, with an estimated budget of around $20 million, it grossed a respectable $38 million.
The worldwide gross was higher, $67 million in total, demonstrating the international appeal of this genre product to a young audience.
Although critical reception was mediocre, it found strong support from fans, particularly teenage boys.
This box office success, though modest, demonstrated the viability of continuing the franchise universe suggested at the end of the film.