The Covenant

Four friends keep their ties to a powerful, hidden lineage that links them to a centuries old magical tradition. They keep this secret through tests of loyalty, summers spent studying runes, and a code that binds their group. When a fifth force long thought extinct begins to awaken, the friends must balance their normal high school lives with the duty of guarding a powerful force. Rivalries surface as a jealous energy grows within the circle, threatening to crack the trust they depend on. As the threat intensifies, each boy must reckon with what his gifts mean for his future and for the safety of everyone around him. The story tracks their struggle to stay united while facing a waking darkness.

Released in 2006, the film was directed by Renny Harlin, with J.S. Cardone credited for its underlying concept, drawing on a pulsing mix of sorcery and suspense that suits his adaptation vision, and features rising talents in the cast today.

Box office performance was modest for a mid budget horror title, with the film notching a respectable domestic turnout but failing to become a major worldwide hit, leaving it as a niche late 2000s release for fans of the genre.

It occupies a place among 2000s teen fantasy thrillers for its sleek look and a male bond at its core with occult power as a central driver. The film helped launch later careers for its young cast while contributing to a wave of stylish supernatural stories that linger with fans.

Critics offered mixed reviews, with some faulting its familiar tropes while others praised its energy and visual style. Key themes include inherited power and the burden of secrecy, loyalty tested by envy, and the choice between friendship and the danger that power invites. It still feels stylish on later viewings.