What Is Jinxed About?
The premise of Jinxed in 293 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the sleepy town of Harvest Hills, the Murphy family has long been shadowed by a stubborn streak of misfortune that traces back to a centuries‑old witch’s curse. After their home is wrecked by yet another bout of bad luck, the family seeks refuge in their grandfather’s old house on the outskirts of town, a place that feels both familiar and unsettlingly quiet. The atmosphere is a blend of modest suburban life and an undercurrent of magical superstition, where every creak in the floorboards hints at the lingering hex that seems to follow the Murphys wherever they go.
The story centers on Meg Murphy, a determined teenager who refuses to accept the cursed legacy as her inevitable destiny. She shares the house with her inventive brother Charlie, whose loyalty and curiosity match her own resolve. Their daily routine is punctuated by the presence of Ivy, a school rival whose sharp tongue and competitive spirit have made her a constant thorn in Meg’s side. Adding a tender twist to the mix, Brett, a local boy with a gentle demeanor, becomes an unexpected love interest, although his well‑meaning attempts at romance occasionally stir up the very bad luck they’re trying to escape.
Together, the siblings navigate high‑school challenges, quirky town traditions, and the ever‑present whisper of the curse that seems to target every new beginning. The tone balances light‑hearted teenage comedy with a subtle, whimsical sense of the supernatural, allowing moments of humor to coexist with the genuine yearning to break free from an inherited doom. As Meg, Charlie, Ivy, and Brett each bring their own strengths and quirks, the film promises an adventure that blends family bonds, youthful romance, and a spirited quest to rewrite a legacy that has haunted the Murphys for generations.
What Happens in Jinxed?
The complete story of Jinxed, from the first scene to the last, in 833 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
In 1913, the town seems to sparkle for its luckiest guy, Tommy Murphy [Burkely Duffield], when the girl he adores, Caitlin O’Leary, agrees to dance with him at the bustling festival. The moment is bright, but it sours quickly: a jealous kiss from Violet before Tommy’s date shatters Caitlin’s moment, and in a humiliating mishap he accidentally tears her dress, exposing her underwear. Caitlin’s anger isn’t just about the wardrobe malfunction; she believes the moment reveals a deeper fault line in their romance. The crowd’s whispers and the rumor mill breed fear around Caitlin, who is described by locals as a witch or a young gypsy woman—an accusation that weighs heavily on the pair. In a reflex of hurt and humiliation, Caitlin curses Tommy and all of his descendants with a heavy streak of bad luck, a curse that clangs through the generations.
A century later, Meg Murphy [Ciara Bravo], Tommy’s great-great-granddaughter, looks at the burden with a mix of frustration and tenacity. She refuses to let the family name remain a misfortune magnet, and with her brother Charlie [Jacob Bertrand], she digs into the past to uncover a way to lift the curse. Their search leads them to Tommy’s old diary, a fragile thread that ties the present to the past. The diary reveals a practical, if mystical, remedy: the curse could be broken if Tommy’s prized “lucky coin” is handed to a Caitlin descendant. Meg and Charlie hatch a plan to reclaim the coin and test the theory, knowing that time is of the essence.
Their mission brings them to the Harvest Hills Historical Museum, where they successfully seize Tommy’s coin from a display that has stood for generations. Meg quickly identifies a potential Caitlin descendant in their orbit: Ivy Murray [Elena Kampouris], a school rival whose mean-spirited behavior seems almost to be scripted by fate. The plot thickens when Meg learns that Ivy’s cousin Brett O’Leary [Jack Griffo] is a boy she already knows—someone whose presence is increasingly tied to the very family Caitlin belonged to. The coincidence feels almost scripted by destiny: Brett is a direct descendant of Caitlin, and Ivy herself is connected to the old feud in a way that makes the coin’s transfer feel like more than a simple swap.
At the school festival’s dance, the plan seems to be falling into place. Meg passes the lucky coin to Brett, hoping that this exchange will sever the curse’s thread. Yet a twist of fate emerges when a fragment of Tommy’s diary ends up in Charlie’s hands. Reading it, Charlie discovers that the coin doesn’t simply bestow luck; it acts as a conduit that can shift the curse from one family to another. The revelation rattles Meg, who rushes to Brett’s house only to find chaos—his home is being ransacked by an angry monkey, a manifestation of the misfortune that the coin has triggered. Ivy answers the door and reacts with a mix of anger and concern, realizing the cascade of trouble has come from the coin Meg gave Brett.
Meg pleads her case to Ivy, insisting she never intended for any harm to come from their plan. Ivy, who has often treated Meg with coldness, begins to see the truth in Meg’s words: her own misfortunes have shadowed her life, and the curse has touched them all in some way. The two girls put aside their long-standing tensions and sprint toward the closing ceremony to keep the plan from unraveling. As Brett returns the coin to Meg, a bolt of lightning strikes, and she teeters on a flag tower edge. Brett’s quick action saves her, and their shared moment of danger deepens their bond with a kiss.
From that point on, Meg and Ivy forge an unexpected alliance, and Meg starts dating Brett, turning the page from a cycle of misfortune to a new beginning. Meg’s curiosity and talent lead her to science camp, where she accidentally invents a potion that grows hair on bald heads, a quirky demonstration of the unexpected twists that can stem from curiosity. In a reflective moment, Meg places Tommy’s diary back with the coin after reading the diary’s final note: Tommy, despite his lifelong bad luck, ultimately meets his loving wife at a hospital, and in a dramatic gesture he tosses his coin into a fountain, triggering a flood but reinforcing the belief that attitude matters as much as luck.
The family’s adventures continue with a vacation that takes them to the Grand Canyon, where the same streak of bad luck resurges in a wild sequence that the siblings witness and, to their relief, survive. Ivy and Brett remain in the orbit of the Murphy family, turning their misfortunes into stories they can laugh about together. The film closes with a playful nod to the family name: Murphy, a wink to Murphy’s Law—the idea that “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong”—reimagined as a tale about testing luck, learning forgiveness, and discovering that resilience and connection can outpace misfortune.
Jinxed Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Festival Day and a Kiss” to “Grand Canyon Vacation and Final Twist”. 14 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Festival Day and a Kiss
In 1913, Tommy Murphy wins the girl of his dreams at the town festival when Caitlin O'Leary agrees to dance with him. Violet surprises him by kissing him in front of Caitlin, humiliating his date and setting off a chain of emotions. The moment ends with Caitlin's curse condemning Tommy and all his descendants to incredibly bad luck.
When:1913 Where:Town Festival
- 2
Caitlin's Curse on the Murphy Line
Feeling humiliated, Caitlin curses Tommy and all of his descendants with incredibly bad luck. The curse seems to hang over the Murphy line, threatening misfortune at every turn. The festival becomes the origin point of a generations-spanning fate.
When:1913 Where:Town Festival
- 3
Tommy's Heartbreak
Tommy tries to track Caitlin down to reconcile, hoping to lift the curse. He is heartbroken when he learns she has married someone else, sealing the rift between their families. The revelation leaves him to face a life shadowed by bad luck.
When:1913 Where:Town
- 4
A Century Later: Diary Found
One hundred years pass before Meg Murphy and her brother Charlie discover Tommy's diary while researching a way to end the curse. The diary hints that reversing the curse will require a token from Caitlin's line. The discovery moves the Murphys from desperation to action.
When:2013 Where:Harvest Hills Historical Museum
- 5
The Lucky Coin Stolen
Meg and Charlie manage a daring heist to steal Tommy's lucky coin from Harvest Hills Historical Museum. The coin is the symbolic key to breaking the curse, and its possession becomes the central leverage in the plan. The theft marks a catalyst for a chain of new misfortunes and revelations.
When:2013 Where:Harvest Hills Historical Museum
- 6
Descendants Revealed
Meg realizes Ivy Murray is a descendant of Caitlin O'Leary, and she also suspects Brett is another Caitlin descendant. This discovery ties the modern-town kids to the ancient curse and sets up the festival exchange. The relationships deepen as the dance approaches.
When:2013 Where:School / Town
- 7
Coin Passed at the Festival
Meg schemes to pass the coin to Brett at the town festival, hoping to sever the curse's grip. Brett, unaware of the full stakes, asks Meg to the festival, confirming their shared Caitlin lineage. The exchange stitches together romantic and magical-fate strands.
When:2013 Where:Town Festival
- 8
Diary's Secret Revealed
A fragment of Tommy's diary ends up in Charlie's hands, revealing that the coin's transfer has inadvertently cursed Brett's family. The revelation heightens the tension as the consequences ripple through the next generation. The diary ties past and present into a single thread.
When:2013 Where:Charlie's Home
- 9
Monkey Mayhem
Brett's house is suddenly raided by an angry monkey, a bizarre manifestation of the curse's mischief. The chaos underscores how unpredictable luck has become for the Murphys and their Caitlin-linked rivals. The incident accelerates the push to fix the situation before the festival's end.
When:2013 Where:Brett's House
- 10
Meg and Ivy Unite
Meg convinces Ivy that she never intended to cause harm through the coin swap, and Ivy confronts how the curse has affected her as well. The two set aside old grievances and race toward the closing ceremony to set things right. Their uneasy alliance becomes a foundation for future friendship.
When:2013 Where:Ivy's Home / Town
Show the other 4 events of Jinxed Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Closing Ceremony and Coin Return
At the closing ceremony, Brett returns the coin to Meg, and a bolt of lightning strikes just as Meg is knocked toward a flag tower. Brett's quick rescue leads to a kiss, sealing a healing moment for both families. The public displays of luck falter, but personal bonds begin to mend.
When:2013 Where:Closing Ceremony
- 12
Fresh Bonds and a Scientific Discovery
Meg and Ivy become best friends, and Meg and Brett start dating as the curse loosens its grip. At science camp, Meg accidentally invents a potion that grows hair on bald heads, showing her scientific potential. The Murphys begin to embrace a hopeful future despite the curse's past.
When:2013 Where:Science Camp
- 13
Tommy's Final Note and the Fountain
Meg rereads the last part of Tommy's diary, which recalls that Tommy, due to bad luck, meets his wife at the hospital and throws his coin into the fountain, causing a flood. She learns that the curse is tied to attitude as much as fate, and that a positive mindset matters. The tale reinforces the idea that attitude shapes luck.
When:1913 Where:Hospital and Fountain
- 14
Grand Canyon Vacation and Final Twist
Meg's family travels to the Grand Canyon, their mischief provoking more bad luck for Ivy and Brett, who must run for their lives while laughing at the chaos. The scene caps the story with a playful note on Murphy's Law turning every plan into an adventure. The family reflects on luck, love, and resilience.
When:2013 Where:Grand Canyon
Who Are the Main Characters in Jinxed?
8 characters, among them Tommy Murphy (Burkely Duffield), Meg Murphy (Ciara Bravo) and Mrs. Murphy (Keegan Connor Tracy): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Tommy Murphy (Burkely Duffield)
Played by Burkely Duffield
In 1913, Tommy is the town's luckiest man whose joy turns to despair when a public humiliation triggers a curse on his line. Obsessed with righting the wrong and reconciling with Caitlin, he remains romantic and hopeful even as misfortune compounds. His arc anchors the backstory that motivates Meg to break the spell decades later.
- 🌀 Curse
- ❤️ Romance
- 😢 Tragedy
- MM
Meg Murphy (Ciara Bravo)
Played by Ciara Bravo
Meg is the determined great-great-granddaughter who refuses to accept a cursed fate. She cracks her great-great-grandfather's diary and teams with her brother to retrieve the lucky coin, orchestrating a plan to end the curse. Her curiosity and resilience drive the modern quest, revealing loyalty to family and friends.
- 🎯 Determined
- 🧩 Ingenious
- 🤝 Collaborative
- MM
Mrs. Murphy (Keegan Connor Tracy)
Played by Keegan Connor Tracy
The present-day matriarch who anchors the family in tough times, offering support and practical advice. She navigates the chaos caused by the curse while keeping Meg focused on the goal of breaking it. Her protective stance reinforces the theme of family bonds.
- 👩👧👦 Matriarch
- 🛡️ Protective
- 🤝 Supportive
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Ivy Murray (Elena Kampouris)
Played by Elena Kampouris
A former mean girl who is revealed to be a Caitlin descendant, Ivy starts as a rival to Meg but grows into a crucial ally. Her vulnerability surfaces as the curse touches her life, prompting empathy and a shift toward teamwork. She becomes a key partner in breaking the spell.
- 😡 Mean
- 👯♀️ Rivalry
- 💡 Insight
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Brett O'Leary (Jack Griffo)
Played by Jack Griffo
Descendant of Caitlin who becomes Meg's love interest and a catalyst for the film's events. He helps Meg by returning the coin and supporting the race to the ceremony, even as the curse tests their fate. His involvement ties Caitlin's past to the present romance.
- 💘 Love Interest
- 🧭 Catalyst
- ⚡️ Chaos
- G(
Grandpa (Jay Brazeau)
Played by Jay Brazeau
The family elder who embodies memory and wisdom, hinting at the chain of misfortune and offering guidance from the shadows. He guards family lore and may provide crucial context about the diary and the coin. His presence links generations and grounds the story in shared history.
- 👴 Elder
- 🗃️ Keeper
- 🧭 Guiding
- D(
Dad (Donavon Stinson)
Played by Donavon Stinson
Meg and Charlie's father figure in the modern day, who supports his children as they navigate the curse's fallout. He represents ordinary resilience amid extraordinary magical events. His steady presence helps anchor the family during chaotic misadventures.
- 👨 Father
- 🤝 Supportive
- 🛠️ Practical
- CM
Charlie Murphy (Jacob Bertrand)
Played by Jacob Bertrand
Meg's brother, a quick-witted ally who reads Tommy's diary and helps move the plot forward. He uncovers the diary's clues, contributing to the plan to retrieve and return the coin, even as the situation grows more chaotic. His curiosity propels the modern investigation into the family legacy.
- 🧠 Clever
- 🧭 Seeker
- 🤝 Partner
Where and When Is Jinxed Set?
Jinxed is set in 1913 town festival, Harvest Hills Historical Museum, Grand Canyon and Local… (1913; 2013). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1913; 2013
The film alternates between 1913, when a chance encounter at the town festival ignites a curse, and roughly a century later (around 2013), where Meg and her family attempt to reverse it. The past frames the present through diaries and artifacts, while the modern era intensifies the stakes with science camp breakthroughs and urban school life.
Where
1913 town festival, Harvest Hills Historical Museum, Grand Canyon, Local hospital
The story moves between a 1913 town during a bustling festival and a modern era centered on Meg's quest to lift a centuries-old curse. Key locations include the Harvest Hills Historical Museum, where the cursed coin and Tommy's diary are kept, as well as hospital scenes and a Grand Canyon vacation that intensify the misfortune. These places ground the tale in small-town roots while setting the stage for magical misadventures that span generations.
- 🏛️ Historic
- 🗺️ Scenic
- ⚡ Supernatural
What Are the Themes of Jinxed?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Curse & Luck, Inheritance and Friendship & Unity.
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01
Curse & Luck
A single humiliating moment in 1913 births a curse that travels through time, turning luck into a dangerous force for the Murphy family. The lucky coin and Tommy's diary become conduits of fate, pulling Meg into a quest that tests trust and resilience. The film explores how misfortune often masks deeper desires, shaping relationships rather than negating them. The tension between fate and agency drives the emotional core of the story.
-
02
Inheritance
The curse appears hereditary, passing from Caitlin's line to Meg and Charlie through artifacts and secrets. Meg's research and Charlie's discovery reveal a lineage that binds past to present. Reconciliation requires confronting family history rather than erasing it. The theme shows that identity is shaped as much by ancestry as by choice.
-
03
Friendship & Unity
The story culminates in an alliance between Meg and Ivy, transforming rivalry into cooperation. They join forces to reverse the coin's mischief, racing to the closing ceremony. The film highlights how empathy, humor, and teamwork can defy a seemingly preordained curse. In the end, friendship becomes as powerful as magic in rewriting a family's fortune.
What Kind of Film Is Jinxed?
Whimsical in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Whimsical
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A whimsical and lighthearted family film that follows a teen's magical quest to break a generational curse, blending playful mishaps with themes of forgiveness, friendship, and budding romance.
- quirky
- hopeful
- lighthearted
- magical
- optimistic
- playful
- family curse
- teen romance
- magic and witchcraft
- rivalry to friendship
Quiz
How well do you remember Jinxed? Test yourself on the story.
