THE CRAFT (1996)
Starring Robin Tunney and Fairuza Balk
This witch flick hit the nail right on the head when it comes to making a successful horror movie: Make sure your target audience is women. That way horror fans like me can take 'em to 'em.
So-called "witchcraft" has been a major craze in America in recent years. Even though it's based on the teachings of a crazed, pro-rape, anti-women occultist named Aleister Crowley, wicca (as it's called) has many feminist followers. Modern wiccans (or witches) claim their religion is a nature-loving, peaceful pagan craft that demands individual responsibility among its practitioners. Actually it's just another fad—not unlike the metric system in the 1970s or Beanie Babies in the 1990s. But that's another story. In any case, "The Craft" does a great job of treating this wiccan religion with a mild modicum of respect. It isn't portrayed as Satanism ("Rosemary's Baby," "Suspiria," et al) or anything inherently evil.
Four Catholic school girls—including Neve Campbell, in a small role before she hit it big with "Scream"—start experimenting with witchcraft and gain powers. Tunney's character casts a love spell on the school jock who used her (Skeet Ulrich from "Scream), turning him into a puppy dog. But the bitch of the bunch (Balk) goes power mad, and soon Tunney finds herself in a supernatural war with her. There isn't much gore in this film, but there's plenty of suspense and great characterization. Balk is especially good in her role. It's a shame that Campbell isn't given much screen time.
Highly recommended if you're in the mood for well-produced, gleaming teen horror. A sequel was reportedly in the works, but never seemed to get off the ground.