Horror movies usually follow a pretty predictable rhythm. You’ve got your jump scares, your creepy kids, and that one basement door that absolutely should have stayed locked. But then The Curse of the Necklace 2024 dropped, and it felt like a weird, nostalgic throwback to the kind of supernatural thrillers we used to get in the late 90s. It isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. It isn’t "elevated horror" with a four-hour breakdown of trauma metaphors. It’s just a solid, creepy story about a piece of jewelry that should have been left in the dirt.
Honestly, the setup is something we’ve seen before, but the execution hits different. Set in 1960, the film follows the Davis family. Frank Davis is a guy trying to get his life back on track, and in a move that screams "bad idea," he gives his estranged wife, Laura, a beautiful antique necklace. He thinks he’s saving his marriage. Instead, he’s basically hand-delivering an ancient, pissed-off spirit into his living room.
What Actually Happens in The Curse of the Necklace 2024?
If you haven't seen it yet, the plot centers on the Davis daughters, Ellen and Judy. They start noticing that their mom isn't just acting "stressed" about the divorce—she’s changing. The necklace houses a soul that doesn't want to just sit in a velvet box; it wants a host.
Directed by Juan Frausto, the film leans heavily into the period aesthetic. 1960 isn't just a backdrop here; the era’s rigid social expectations make the family’s isolation feel way more claustrophobic. When the supernatural stuff starts popping off, there’s no cell phone to call for help. There’s no Google to search "how to exorcise a 19th-century pendant." They’re stuck.
The "curse" itself is rooted in a pretty dark backstory involving a vengeful spirit trapped within the centerpiece of the jewelry. As the movie progresses, the necklace acts as a conduit. It’s not just "bad luck." It’s a systematic takeover of the wearer’s psyche. It’s subtle at first. A flicker in the mirror. A mood swing. Then, it gets violent.
Why this movie works (and where it struggles)
Let's be real. Not everyone loved this. Some critics felt it played too close to the tropes of The Conjuring or Annabelle. And yeah, if you’re looking for a groundbreaking cinematic masterpiece that changes your worldview, this isn't it. But if you want a movie that makes you feel uneasy about that vintage watch you bought on eBay? The Curse of the Necklace 2024 delivers.
The acting carries a lot of the weight. Henry Thomas—yeah, the kid from E.T. who has become a modern horror staple thanks to Mike Flanagan—plays Frank. He brings this desperate, "I'm trying my best" energy that makes the eventual tragedy feel more personal. Christina Moore plays Laura, and her transition from a hopeful wife to a vessel for something ancient is genuinely unsettling.
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What's interesting is how the film handles the "rules" of the curse. Usually, in these movies, there’s a priest or an occult expert who shows up in the third act to explain everything. This movie keeps it a bit more internal. The stakes feel smaller, which somehow makes them feel more intense. It’s a family drama wrapped in a ghost story.
Breaking Down the Supernatural Mechanics
So, how does the curse actually function?
In the world of The Curse of the Necklace 2024, the jewelry acts as a tether. Think of it like a battery. The spirit inside—an entity known in the lore as the "Boy"—doesn't just haunt a house; he attaches to the person wearing the item. This is a classic "object-oriented" haunting.
- Stage 1: The Lure. The necklace is physically beautiful. It draws people in. It makes them feel empowered or "complete" when they wear it.
- Stage 2: Isolation. The wearer starts to pull away from loved ones. In Laura's case, the necklace feeds on her existing marital strife.
- Stage 3: Manifestation. The spirit begins to interact with the physical world. Shadows move. Reflections don't match the person standing in front of the mirror.
- Stage 4: Consumption. The goal isn't just to scare; it's to replace.
Most viewers missed the subtle sound design. If you listen closely during the scenes where Laura is alone, there’s a faint, metallic scratching noise. It’s the sound of the necklace "feeding." It’s a small detail, but it’s those little things that elevate the movie from a generic bargain-bin flick to something worth a watch on a rainy Tuesday night.
The Cast That Sold the Scare
We have to talk about the performances because, without them, this would have fallen flat.
Henry Thomas as Frank Davis
Thomas has this incredible ability to look perpetually worried. In The Haunting of Hill House, he was the frantic father. Here, he’s a man trying to buy back his family's love. When he realizes that the "gift" he gave is the very thing destroying his wife, the guilt is palpable. It’s a grounded performance in a movie that gets pretty wild by the end.
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Christina Moore as Laura Davis
Moore has to do the heavy lifting. Playing "possessed" is hard because it’s easy to look goofy. She avoids the over-the-top growling and instead goes for a cold, detached vibe. It’s way scarier when your mom looks at you like she doesn't recognize you than when she’s screaming in Latin.
The Kids (Brynne Kurland and Maisie Merlock)
Child actors can make or break a horror movie. In The Curse of the Necklace 2024, they actually feel like sisters. Their fear feels reactive and honest. When they’re hiding under the bed, you’re not thinking about the script; you’re thinking about how much it would suck to be in that position.
Comparing 2024's Curse to Classic "Cursed Object" Cinema
Cursed objects have been a staple of horror since... well, forever. You’ve got The Monkey's Paw, Oculus, and The Hope Diamond (the real-life version).
What makes the 2024 film stand out is the era. By placing the story in 1960, the director taps into that "Atomic Age" anxiety. Everything looks perfect on the outside—the manicured lawns, the polished cars, the pearls—but there’s rot underneath. The necklace is a physical manifestation of that rot.
Unlike Annabelle, where the doll is inherently creepy-looking, the necklace in this film is actually something you’d want to wear. It’s seductive. That’s the real "curse." It’s not just a scary thing; it’s a beautiful thing that hides a monster. It plays on our vanity.
Common Misconceptions About the Ending
Spoiler territory here, so skip ahead if you haven't watched.
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A lot of people walked away from The Curse of the Necklace 2024 confused about whether the spirit was actually banished. The ending is a bit of a "gut punch" because it suggests that while the immediate threat might be contained, the cycle isn't necessarily broken.
The spirit of the Boy is tied to the jewelry, not the house. This is a crucial distinction. In many ghost movies, you can just leave the house. Here, the haunting is mobile. As long as the physical object exists, the threat remains. Some viewers thought the necklace was destroyed in the final confrontation, but if you look closely at the last frame, there's a lingering shot that suggests otherwise. It’s a classic horror trope, sure, but it works because it leaves you with that lingering sense of dread.
Production Details You Might Not Know
The film was shot on a relatively modest budget, which forced the crew to get creative. They used practical effects wherever possible. The way the shadows move in the hallway? That wasn't all CGI. They used old-school lighting tricks and "pepper's ghost" reflections to create that eerie, grounded feeling.
Director Juan Frausto has mentioned in interviews that he wanted the film to feel like a "lost" movie from a different decade. He avoided the fast-paced, "MTV-style" editing that plagues a lot of modern horror. Instead, the camera lingers. It waits for you to see something in the background. It’s patient.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Your Time?
If you’re a horror completionist, you’ve probably already seen it. If you’re a casual fan, you might have skipped it because it didn't have a $100 million marketing budget.
But honestly? The Curse of the Necklace 2024 is a solid 7/10. It’s not going to win an Oscar, and it’s not going to be the subject of a thousand video essays. But it’s a well-acted, atmospheric, and genuinely creepy story that respects the genre’s roots. It’s perfect for a late-night viewing when you want to be spooked but don’t want to deal with a plot that’s so complex you need a whiteboard to track it.
What to do next if you liked the movie:
- Watch 'Oculus' (2013): If the "haunted object" trope is your jam, Mike Flanagan’s take on a cursed mirror is the gold standard.
- Check out 'The Conjuring' (2013): For that same 60s/70s period horror vibe, this is the obvious choice.
- Research the real-life 'Cursed' necklaces: Look up the "Delhi Purple Sapphire" or the "Hope Diamond." Reality is often weirder than fiction.
- Look for more Juan Frausto films: He has a specific style that leans into "grindhouse" and indie horror sensibilities. It’s worth exploring his filmography if you liked the aesthetic of this one.
The real takeaway? Maybe think twice before buying "antique" jewelry from a guy who seems a little too eager to get rid of it. Some bargains come with a price that isn't listed on the tag.