Character Analysis: Thackery Binx

Character Analysis: Thackery Binx

By: Brian Cotnoir

     There’s no doubt about it: When you think Disney, you think animation.  However, Disney Film Studios have actually had a great deal of success with their live action films.  The “Pirates of the Caribbean” films have grossed over 4 billion dollars worldwide!  And yet, they are still known primarily as a animation film studio.  Well, there’s one live action film that Disney released that is very near and dear to the hearts of many from my generation, and every fall I see more and more people break out their copy to watch it for Halloween. I of course am talking about “Hocus Pocus”.  “Hocus Pocus” has some sentimental value to me.  Not only was it a film that was made and released during my childhood, but its set in my home state of Massachusetts, and parts of it were actually filmed in Salem, MA.  When I was in college my friends and I would go into Salem on Halloween, and I just got a feeling of sweet nostalgia every time we went.  It is an amazing film that’s filled with interesting and memorable characters, and I’m going to do a Character Analysis on one of the films characters, Thackery Binx.

CHARACTER: Thackery Binx from “Hocus Pocus” (1993)

Thackery Binx from "Hocus Pocus" (1993)

Thackery Binx is a young farm boy from 1693, who lives in Salem, Massachusetts.  One morning Thackery notices that his little sister Emily has been spirited away by the evil Sanderson Sisters, who are alleged witches.  The Sanderson Sisters lure the children of Salem out into their cottage in the woods in order to feed them a special potion that allows them to drain out the child’s life force so they can remain young and beautiful forever.  Thackery tries to rescue his sister, but his heroic plans are thwarted by the 3 sisters and he is transformed into a black cat.  The Sanderson Sister’s drain the life force of Emily, but are soon caught in the act by the Binx family and the residents of Salem.  Thackery’s family is completely unaware that their son has been transformed into a cat; a form in which is unfortunately doomed to spend the rest of his life in, until the curse is broken.  He is immortal and nothing—not time, disease, or even being run over by a car—can kill him.                  

Heeeeere kitty-kitty

    Flash forward 300 years to Halloween night and teenager Max Dennison (who just so happens to also be a virgin) lights the black flame candle in brings the Sanderson sisters back from the dead.  Max, his little sister Dani, and his friend Allison are now being pursued by the Sanderson Sisters and the only person who can help them is Thackery Binx.  Fortunately for Max and the others Thackery has the ability to communicate with them (which brings up the question, how come Max, Dani, and Allison can communicate with him, but Thackery’s parents were unable to talk to him 300 years ago?).

THE ACTORS:

One unique thing about Thackery Binx is that he is portrayed by two different actors.  In the opening and closing scene Thackery is played by actor Sean Murray.  However, the voice of Thackery is done by voice actor Jason Marsden, and not just when he’s Binx the Cat, he also voices all over of Sean Murray’s lines too.  I have no idea why they did that?  I have done my research and couldn’t find any reason why they chose to cast Thackery like that. I can’t understand they wouldn’t just have Sean Murray read the lines for Binx the cat or why they wouldn’t have had Jason Marsden play Thackery in the live action scenes.  To be perfectly, honest I would have preferred it if they would have had Jason Marsden play Thackery and be the voice of Binx the Cat.

Sean Murray, the actor who played Thackery Binx

 

Jason Marsden the voice of Thackery and Binx the Cat

CHARACTER IS SIMILAR TO OR INSPIRED BY:

     Thackery is similar to the character Salem Saberhagen from the Television series “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (the 1^st episode of which came 3 years after “Hocus Pocus”).  Both are men who were transformed into black cats.  However, their similarities stop there.  Thackery was transformed into one for trying to stop the Sanderson Sisters from killing his sister.  Salem was transformed into a cat for trying to “take over the world”.  Thackery’s story and personality is more tragic and brooding, while Salem’s story and personality is more comedic.

Salem from "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" (1996)

 

FATE OF THE CHARACTER:

     The Curse on Thackery is broken after Max, Dani, Allison, and Billy Butcher (a resurrected zombie) vanquish the Sanderson sisters, by exposing them to the sun light the day after Halloween.  Binx is now dead, and his spirit is scene in the graveyard.  He thanks Max, Dani, and Allison for their help setting him free from the curse that was put on him over three centuries ago.  The last we see of Thackery is walking off into the sunrise with the spirit of his long deceased sister Emily, to happily spend eternity together in the afterlife.