A mom has gone viral after urging parents to stop their children from watching Hocus Pocus 2.
Hocus Pocus is a movie series that follows three witches – Winifred, Mary, and Sarah Sanderson – who are unwittingly resurrected.
The original was released in 1993 and was initially met with mixed reviews, becoming a box office bomb.
Yet over the years, the film found a cult following, leading to a sequel in 2022.
While many were eager to see more of the Sanderson sisters, one parent brought her concerns to the media.
In a Facebook post, Texas mom Jamie Gooch reportedly warned parents not to let their children see the hyped-up movie.
She felt a ‘strong conviction’ to ‘share a word’ with fellow mothers and advised them to think about what kind of films they let their kids watch, according to Mediaiate.
“As Mothers and wives, WE are the gatekeepers of our homes. Meaning whatever we allow in has a rightful place to reside and grow there because WE have given it permission,” the mom-of-three said.
“What is actually happening when we watch these films? What are we subjecting our minds to? What are we welcoming into the homes of our families?
“I say all of this because I too have fallen into the trap a time or two, and the spiritual warfare I had to endure because of my own ignorance I wish on no one.”
Like the original, Hocus Pocus 2 involves the witch trio being resurrected by teenagers celebrating Halloween.
Gooch issued her concerns about the movie to KWTX, claiming the film can ‘unleash hell’ in one’s ‘home.’
“A worst-case scenario is: you unleash hell on your kids and in your home,” the mom said. “The whole movie is based on witches harvesting children for blood sacrifices.”
She continued: “Do not watch this film.
“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.”
Gooch also revealed that her family hasn’t participated in any Halloween traditions ‘in about four or five years,’ as she doesn’t want to expose her kids to ‘darkness.’
The mom explained: “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 believe whatever comes in our TV screens: there are things attached to that, I’ve seen for myself the things that I’ve watched with my eyes or heard over a TV screen, they’ve become manifested in real life, and then I think ‘Oh my gosh, what did I consume?’”
Gooch told KWTX that her warning had been met with agreement from ‘a lot of people,’ although there were some who ‘didn’t understand.’
Since the mom’s warning has gone viral, many people have taken to social media and shared their views on letting children watch Halloween movies.
In agreement with Gooch, one person said: “Good mom! I agree 100%. Whether people choose to believe or not, the validity of heaven and hell is real.”
Another added: “She is 100% correct. So sad many do not understand the truth.”
Meanwhile, others argued that the film is fiction and shouldn’t be taken so seriously.
“There are enough real problems in the world to worry about, without having to create imaginary ones,” mused one.
A second person wrote: “I definitely respect the choices that she makes for her family. I know a lot of families that do not partake in Halloween but some of her comments are way over the top.”
Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker reprised their roles as the Sanderson sisters for the Hocus Pocus sequel.
In an interview with CBS This Morning, Parker described the movie’s fanbase and how it’s ‘become so diverse’ over the years.
She said (per The Independent): “What is so wonderful and feels so good is that the audience has become so diverse for this.
“People have integrated this into their lives, families and children and babysitters and grandparents and the LGBTQ+ community. It’s just remarkable.”