Mum warns parents not to allow kids to watch Hocus Pocus 2 at Halloween

17 October 2023 , 14:28

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Mum warns parents not to allow kids to watch Hocus Pocus 2 at Halloween

With Halloween just around the corner and countless spooky films on the box to get us in the mood, Hocus Pocus 2 is a great place to start for both children and adults alike.

Or so you'd think. For one mum has warned fellow parents to stop them watching the Sanderson sisters sequel, first released last year. The flick, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy is the highly anticipated follow-up to 1993 original and is available to stream on Disney+ now.

Jamie Gooch believes the movie could even be capable of somehow casting spells through TV screens. "Do not watch this film," she wrote in a now-deleted Facebook post. "Everybody thinks it's fake and innocent, but they could be casting any type of spell that they want to, anything could be coming through that TV screen into your home."

Jamie Gooch believes the Sanderson sisters could be could be 'casting any type of spell that they want to' through TV screens (Matt Kennedy)

The mother-of-three continued, explaining she had taken the stance in fear of the family film influencing children into taking part in witchcraft and sacrifices. "A worst case scenario is you unleash hell on your kids and in your home," she added. "The whole movie is based on witches harvesting children for blood sacrifices."

Gooch said she felt the need to speak out owing to the fact the movie is aimed at younger children, according to Tyla. Acknowledging her opinion would prove somewhat controversial, she said the risk of families being "bewitched" proved too concerning to simply ignore. She added: "I was a little bit scared when I hit post because I was afraid of the reaction that I would get... the post was for people who've been on the fence on the decisions they need to make for their family."

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Of course, there are far creepier offerings out there to terrify youngsters this October, which is why Gooch retreated a little to generalise her warning, applying it "all year round". She said: "I think it goes further than just a movie, it goes further than Halloween, it's a year-round thing, we constantly need to be cautious of what we're consuming, what we're bringing in and what we're sending out.

"I think it goes further than just a movie, it goes further than Halloween, it's a year-round thing, we constantly need to be cautious of what we're consuming, what we're bringing in and what we're sending out." Gooch finished by admitting that some have labelled her advice as "crazy", but overall the reaction has been "positive".

At the end of the cult original first film, the Sandersons' 'grimoire' (book of spells) was seen still alive, with the eye on the front coming open - suggesting their curse could continue. Hocus Pocus 2 sees three students Becca, Izzy and Cassie learn of an intriguing ritual where witches get their powers on their 16th birthday. So they duly light the Black Flame Candle which can raise the spirits of the dead for as long as it remains lit. In doing so they wake up the Sanderson sisters and accidentally unleash them on the unsuspecting city of Salem.

Alan Johnson