Review: Hexed – Disney Isn’t Trying to Hide it Anymore.

It used to be considered a conspiracy theory that Hollywood worships the devil. Then it became a joke, and now they don’t even try to hide it. Almost everything you watch in theaters or listen to on the radio has some sort of occult messaging, even if it’s not overt.

Disney is no exception. They have always hidden some aspect of the occult in their movies, but it never seemed to be beyond the usual fairytale antics. In many of the classic movies, it was usually the villains that used magic the most. Unless you happened to delve deep into the occult or you came out of it, you wouldn’t be able to exactly pinpoint the occult themes hidden in the songs and otherwise good moral messaging. But over the years, things have changed. Not only has Disney’s sense of morality changed to fit more progressive ideals, but they don’t even try to hide the occult anymore. The trailer for their new movie, Hexed, is a perfect example of this.

Hexed follows a young woman named Billy who doesn’t quite fit in at her school. She’s a social outcast, dresses somewhat alt (which is funny given that alternative dress is more acceptable today), and seems to be struggling to get through school. But then, she finds out that she has magic powers, and after being expelled, decides to test them out at home, opening a portal to another world full of witches.

Now, as YouTuber and ex-occultist Jac Marino Chen points out, the imagery used throughout the trailer comes straight from the occult, particularly Wicca from what I’ve seen. Throughout the trailer, not only do you see lunar symbolism (which is especially common in goddess worship), but you also see a grimoire or book of shadows, the use of crystals, tarot cards, fairy rings, etc.

Basically, this movie looks like a mix of Hot Topic and a New Age expo.

Now, some of you reading this might think this isn’t a big deal. After all, it’s just a fun movie from Disney, right? It could be infinitely worse, couldn’t it? After all, it could be promoting LGBTQ+ ideology (if it doesn’t already plan to do that.)

While I can see the point of that, and, honestly, it would be about the equivalent of watching Harry Potter, the outright glorification of actual occult imagery is somewhat shocking. Yes, we saw a form of voodoo promoted to a degree in Princess and the Frog (Mama Odie is cannonically a 197-year-old voodoo priestess). Other overt instances of occult imagery have also been found in some of their Halloween short series and movies. (For example, in one short series I remember watching, an episode focused on two teen witches and one of their houses had pentagrams and other Wiccan/Satanic symbols hidden throughout it.) But this is the first time – that I’m aware of – that they have outright unashamedly made a movie geared towards children that appears to promote Wicca and draws directly from that.

[Author’s Note: That’s also not mentioning how, in the wake of the insane success of Netflix’s Wednesday, Disney has reportedly greenlit the production of a show called Coven Academy, which follows witches living in New Orleans.]

Look, if you want to take your kids to see this movie, fine, but here’s the thing. This movie doesn’t just take one or two things from a mix of religions or worldviews. It is straight up taking from actual ritual magic, promoting it, and isn’t even trying to hide it. It makes those things look like fun, like if you’re a social outcast, you’re actually someone special. While this isn’t new, it’s something that, as Christians, we should be careful about. If you let your kids watch this movie, help them watch it with the same discernment you would exercise if you were watching something like Harry Potter. Help them understand where it comes from, what the worldview is, and why it’s dangerous.

Until next time,

M.J.