The Covenant is a 2006 American dark fantasy horror film directed by Renny Harlin and written by J. S. Cardone. The film stars Steven Strait, Sebastian Stan, Laura Ramsey, Taylor Kitsch, Jessica Lucas, Toby Hemingway, and Chace Crawford. The Covenant was released in the United States by Sony Pictures Releasing on September 8, 2006. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, it was a moderate box office success.

Plot

In the town of Ipswich, four high school boys – Caleb Danvers, Pogue Parry, Reid Garwin, and Tyler Simms, together known as the Sons of Ipswich – are the descendants of colonial witch families and thus wield magical abilities. Their powers manifest on their 13th birthday and grow stronger until they Ascend at 18. Ascending increases their powers significantly but also ties their powers to their life force. The more an Ascended individual uses their magic, the more addicted to it they become, which can lead to premature aging and death. While attending a bonfire, Caleb meets Sarah Wenham, a transfer student from a public high school in Boston. The Sons also meet Chase Collins, a new student at Spenser Academy. Their meeting is cut short when cops appear to break up the party. The boys escape by using their powers. After a student is found dead near their campus, various paranormal occurrences take place, with Sarah and her roommate Kate Tunney being the focus of it. Upset, Caleb suspects Reid – the most reckless of the warlocks – but he angrily denies the accusation. Caleb and later Pogue see a "darkling", a dead spirit and a malicious omen. Meanwhile, Caleb and Sarah become romantically involved. During a swim race, Caleb notices Chase displaying magic usage. After researching, Caleb concludes that Chase descends from a fifth family, one believed long extinct. As the Sons discuss this revelation, Pogue learns that his girlfriend Kate was rendered comatose by a spell. Enraged, he hastily confronts Chase, but this ultimately lands him in the hospital as well. Caleb visits Sarah, only to fall into Chase's trap. Chase reveals that he was unaware of his magic's origin, having been adopted. After locating his biological father, he learned of the price for Ascension; but it was too late, and he has become addicted to using magic. His biological father then transferred his power to him. Chase wants to force other Ascended witches to transfer their power to him, starting with Caleb. Despite Caleb's warning that having more power does not save him from aging to death, Chase ignores him. Before leaving, Chase threatens Caleb's family and friends if he does not get what he wants. Caleb reveals the truth to Sarah and takes her to his father William, a 44-year-old man with a decrepit old body from magic abuse. When Sarah suggests that one of the other three transfer their power to Caleb so he could fight Chase, he refuses as it would cost the person offering their life. On the night of Caleb's 18th birthday, he leaves to face Chase and has Reid and Tyler safeguard Sarah. However, Chase easily kidnaps her. At an old barn, the two confront each other. Chase reveals a spellbound Sarah and gives Caleb an ultimatum of his life for hers. Caleb ascends but refuses to give up his power. The two duel, but Caleb is outmatched. Back at home, Evelyn, Caleb's mother, begs her husband to save Caleb. Upon learning that his son is fighting for his life, William sacrifices his life by willing his powers to his son. Once his father's power is infused within him, Caleb hits Chase with a final blow that engulfs him. Sarah, Kate, and Pogue are freed from their curses. Firefighters arrive on the scene and inform them that a third person was not found, suggesting that Chase somehow survived and escaped. The pair get into Caleb's car, and he casually uses magic to fix the busted windshield. Sarah grabs his hand in reassurance and they drive off together to rejoin the rest.

Cast

Graphic novel

A comic book prequel to the movie was released by Top Cow Comics. Top Cow Comics founder Marc Silvestri also served as associate producer for the film.

Reception

Critical response

It is ranked 89th on the website's list of the 100 Worst Movies of All Time. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B−" on an A+ to F scale.

Box office

Upon its release in the United States, the film managed to top the box office charts with a $8.9 million opening on what was called a "weak" weekend. By the end of its theatrical run, The Covenant earned $23.3 million in the U.S. and $13.9 million in other territories for a total of $37.3 million worldwide). The film cost roughly $20 million to produce, not including marketing.

Home media

The Covenant was released on DVD and Blu-ray on January 2, 2007. It went on to sell 1,618,891 units, which translated to revenue of $26,578,576.