Something Wicked This Way Comes

In the charming town of Green Town, Illinois, friends Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade are unexpectedly released from detention for whispering in class. This sets the stage for their adventure, marking the beginning of their journey just after school.

The boys encounter Tom Fury, a mysterious salesman who introduces them to his lightning rods that promise protection from an approaching storm. This mysterious encounter ignites their curiosity and foreshadows the magical events to come.

A captivating carnival appears overnight in Green Town, led by the enigmatic Mr. Dark. The townsfolk are hypnotized by various attractions, setting a darker tone as Will and Jim feel a mixture of intrigue and foreboding.

Will and Jim discover a stunning yet off-limits carousel at the carnival. Their curiosity leads them to a confrontation with Mr. Dark, who senses their interest and feels threatened by their presence.

The boys witness Mr. Dark using dark magic on his assistant, Mr. Cooger, forcing him to regress into youth via the carousel. This horrifying display shows the depth of Mr. Dark's powers and the perils they face.

Tensions arise between Will and Jim due to Jim's jealousy of Will's age. Their argument is interrupted when they see Tom Fury being tormented by Mr. Dark, which impels them to put aside their differences and focus on the threat.

The Dust Witch, Mr. Dark's assistant, attempts to manipulate Tom Fury into revealing secrets about the storm. Despite the pressure, Fury remains unwavering, showcasing the strength of his character in dark times.

As darkness deepens, Will and Jim find themselves surrounded by a horde of spiders unleashed by Mr. Dark. However, the lightning rod gifted to Jim provides unexpected protection, allowing them to escape the perilous encounter.

At dawn, Mr. Dark leads a dark procession through the town, rallying the enchanted townspeople. Will and Jim soon realize that this parade is a hunt targeted at them, elevating the stakes of their impending confrontation.

Charles, feeling the urgency of the situation, confronts Mr. Dark in a desperate attempt to protect Will and Jim. He cleverly uses his intellect to momentarily thwart the sinister plans of the carnival.

Inside the library, Charles shares his painful history with Will and Jim, revealing that this battle with Mr. Dark is not new to their family. His father's past failure against Mr. Dark adds weight to their current struggle.

In a shocking turn of events, Mr. Dark abducts Will and Jim after he renders Charles unconscious. This grave moment leaves Charles devastated and motivates him to mount a rescue after having witnessed the boys' fears.

Charles faces Mr. Dark inside the hall of mirrors, struggling against the chaos surrounding him. Although taunted, he draws strength from his love for his son, which ultimately defies the evil influence of Mr. Dark.

Just as Mr. Dark tries to unleash the carousel's powers, the intervention of Will and Charles, coupled with a powerful strike of lightning, destroys the carousel. This act signifies the waning of Mr. Dark's powers and the boys' triumph.

After the chaotic events, Will, Jim, and Charles return to their hometown, celebrating their victory over Mr. Dark. Their spontaneous dance embodies the joy and relief now that the threat of darkness has finally dissipated.