Taking the Haunted House too far
It’s a ritual at the start of October to search for new Horror films. Usually the new additions on any of the streaming options you’ve either watched already or just aren’t interested in. But amongst the swathes of cheap gore, you’ll find a tense treat that feeds your orange-and-black Halloween-tinted soul. Thus was my discovery of HAUNT.
This film is set on Halloween night and follows a young woman, Harper, who breaks up with her abusive boyfriend that night before she goes out with her roommate and friends. The night begins innocently enough at a bar where Harper meets a cute guy in a baseball costume/uniform (it serves as both for him). However, when the group leaves the bar, they venture out to a mysterious haunted house – this is where our horrific adventure truly begins.
The group is put through perilous (and deadly) trials set in typical haunted house format including scary costumes, satire of cheesy haunted house activities, and disorienting mazes. They go from room to room to witness various horrors only to find the scares are all too real.
This film incorporates the titillation and fear of haunted houses perfectly. It felt extremely visceral – you go through the haunted house with them! While there is an interesting backstory for our lead and a through-line about abuse and dealing with trauma, the heart of the film is really based in the haunted house experience.
The tension is perfect and really reflects the experience you’d have at a haunted house on Halloween night. It was the perfect solution this year to not being able to go to one in-person this year. Because of this, HAUNT will become a go-to Horror for me going forward!
