Tags:
Film: Forbidden Fruits
Year: 2026
Director: Meredith Alloway
Writers: Lily Houghton and Meredith Alloway
Starring: Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung and Victoria Pedretti
Review:
This was a film that I almost saw at the Gateway Film Center. If memory serves, the times weren’t lining up for life. At the time, I also wasn’t completely sure that this was a horror movie. Now that this is available on VOD and it looks to be coming to Shudder, which solidified it. I did see part of the trailer ahead of its theatrical run. After realizing it was a genre film, I’d stop watching so I came into this one as blind as I could.
Synopsis: at a mall store, Apple (Lili Reinhart) leads a secret witch cult with coworkers Cherry (Victoria Pedretti) and Fig (Alexandra Shipp). New hire Pumpkin (Lola Tung) questions their sisterhood, forcing them to confront inner darkness or meet violent ends.
Now we start this with an odd scene. Apple is in her car when a guy pulls up next to her. He is staring and she makes hand gestures toward him. This causes him to start masturbating. She then tells him to roll down the window and throws her coffee on him. This does set the tone for how odd this film is.
It is from here that we see Apple with her co-workers and friends, Cherry and Fig. Apple is the leader. Cherry is a bit ditzy. Apple is hard on her, constantly scolding and demanding her to do things differently. She reluctantly always agrees. Fig knows how to humor her and avoid the treatment that Cherry receives. As they walk through the mall where their employment is, they hit the food court. Their meals are given to them and it doesn’t look like they pay. It is here that they meet a new girl, Pumpkin.
She is currently working at a pretzel shop. Apple is all but ignoring her. Fig is intrigued to talk to her. Cherry follows the lead of what Apple does. Fig sees potential. Pumpkin then comes into the store later and is given advice of what to do by Fig. It is from there that Apple sees the potential as well. She wants to initiate this new girl into their group.
The trio then give Pumpkin a lay of the mall where they work. Pumpkin just moved to the area. She goes through a trial shift and then impresses enough to go through the ritual. It is there that she questions if this group are witches. They don’t agree that they are, but they also don’t fully debunk it. Apple is annoyed that the final say is from the manager, Sharon.
Pumpkin then starts to learn more about the members of the group and does what she can to get close to them. It is from there that they start to share secrets that they keep from Apple. This includes a former member of the coven, Pickle (Emma Chamberlain). It takes a turn as everyone’s routines unwind and Apple loses her control.
That is where I’ll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I want to start is that I first didn’t realize that this is based on a stage play. There’s a fun nod to this that at the climax, Apple is wearing a shirt that shares the name of the source material. Also, while watching this, this has heavy vibes of The Craft. Both feature a trio of witches, this one leans a bit less in that aspect, but both trios are looking for their fourth. There are similar trajectories as things fall apart as well.
Now that I’ve set that up, let me preface that I do think some people will have issues with this film. It is following a group of women that are in their early twenties. How they talk and act is a bit outrageous. I also feel like part of this is by design. They’re all good looking. This gives them the ability to manipulate men around them. Apple wants things done in a particular way. Fig and Cherry with different approaches go along with it. Pumpkin to an extent knows how to navigate fitting in while also rocking the boat. I did find the group dynamic to be intriguing.
Where I want to shift would be the horror elements. It is light in the beginning. We see that this trio might be witches. It is at the least, performative with the ritual to initiate Pumpkin. The deeper that she gets ingrained into the group, that’s where the tensions rise. Cherry has on her schedule that every Wednesday, she has therapy. Pumpkin notices she does something else instead. Fig is hiding her relationship with Norman (Siddharth Sharma). Pumpkin is learning their secrets and for good reason. This culminates in a stressful climax that goes wild.
Going along with that is that I love the idea that it could appear that there's nothing supernatural happening. Things happen to Pickle, that could just be her finally snapping. There are other things that the group point to the hex that they did, when in reality there is a supernatural aspect. What happens though at the climax makes me think that they either have the worst luck imaginable or other forces are inserting their will. I do appreciate having the events play out and for us to decide.
A story element to also explore is the performative sisterhood. Apple seems like she cares about Cherry to help her. In reality, she is causing her harm through bullying her mentally. Pumpkin points out that she doesn’t normally fit in well with girls like this. She also isn’t fully telling the truth and we see bits when she’s alone. Fig wants to live her life how she did, but using this to fit in. Apple is the one who is harboring deep seeded issues and won’t stop at anything to get her way.
Additional themes include weaponized girlhood and performative feminism. Apple subverts 'Shine Theory' to manipulate the group, creating a toxic dynamic. Shared trauma also connects the characters, as Apple, Cherry, and Pumpkin have all lost their fathers, with Cherry's backstory suggesting even deeper pain. Finally, the film critiques the dark side of consumerism and influencer culture.
Moving to the performances, Reinhart is excellent as Apple, portraying an arrogance that masks deep insecurities. Tung shines as her counterpart, Pumpkin, whose indifference to the group dynamics enables her to manipulate Cherry. Shipp is solid, while Pedretti impresses as the ditzy Cherry, a character burdened by unresolved trauma. Chamberlain and the supporting cast deliver effective performances, and a cameo by Gabrielle Union adds to the fun.
The filmmaking elements embrace a timeless arthouse aesthetic consistent with an IFC-backed production. The cinematography and framing create a versatile atmosphere that blends 90s mall culture with 70s fashion and modern sensibilities. While visual effects are sparse, they are brutal when utilized, likely through a mix of practical and CGI techniques. The experience is further enhanced by effective sound design and a fitting musical score.
In conclusion, this offers a compelling, if occasionally polarizing, exploration of performative femininity, consumerism, and toxic power dynamics within a modern coven. Through its unique blend of arthouse aesthetics, sharp social commentary, and strong central performances, the film effectively navigates the intersection of 90s mall culture and contemporary psychological horror. While it may challenge viewers with its intentionally abrasive characters and fluid supernatural elements, the film ultimately succeeds as a thought-provoking genre piece that leaves the audience questioning the true nature of the events unfolding on screen.
My Rating: 8 out of 10