Hauntology

Wow, wasn't expecting to watch a homegrown horror on the same day as the mega Megalopolis, so this review was supposed to be much shorter in my mind, but the similarities between the two really stood out to me, and I ended up kinda writing a two in one blended review for both haha

"Don't Dream It, Be It" - HAUNTOLOGY (2024), dir. Parker Brennon 🎩👻🌈🎩👻🌈🎩👻🌈🎩👻🌈🎩👻🎩

By happenstance, I was paid to watch a screener at home for this crowdfunded, small scale indie I had not heard of on the same day as spending money to witness Francis Ford Coppola's self financed epic, Megalopolis, up on the big screen after over a year of eager anticipation for its release being involved in the production myself. What I didn't anticipate going in though, was how I left the theater surprisingly struck by the similarities seen within the unintended double bill, despite the glaringly apparent distinctions between the two films.

READ REVIEW ON LETTERBOXD: (RollTide1931)

#hauntology #parkerbrennon #Megalopolis #francisfordcoppola.

"Hauntology" is a wickedly clever LGBTQ+ horror anthology that'll haunt you long after the credits roll. Director Parker Brennon weaves four interconnected tales set in "one of the most haunted places in the country," serving up a supernatural smorgasbord that's equal parts chilling and thought-provoking.

Let's peek into our ghostly grab bag:

"Witchcraft Becomes Her": Julian Cashel's magical transition journey gives new meaning to "body horror." With a witchy assist from Annalisa Drouais, Julian exorcises toxic masculinity - literally!

"The Day Mabel Came Out of the Grave": Great-great-great grandma Mabel Bishop rises from the dead for a second chance at sapphic love. Who says you can't teach an old ghost new tricks?

"Paint and Black Lace": A giallo-inspired masterpiece where the deceased artist May Felner turns art thieves into, well, art. It is, if you will, a killer aesthetic.

"The Old Dark Cashel House": Journalist Madeline Ishii faces off against the ghost of racist patriarch William Cashel. It's "Casper the Friendly Ghost" meets "Get Out."

Brennon's secret sauce is a dash of social commentary, a sprinkle of regional lore, and a heaping helping of family ties. The result is a cohesive supernatural feast that's more satisfying than your average anthology appetizer.

"Hauntology" proves that the only thing scarier than ghosts is outdated prejudice. It's the perfect treat to kick off your spooky season, showcasing solidarity and sisterhood that transcend both generations and planes of existence. Trust me, this director is one to watch... if you dare!

I saw this film at its premiere at Dances with Films waaaay back in June (I'm just now joining this site.) I truly enjoyed it. If you didn't get it by the name, this film is a horror anthology. A lot of indie films go this route. I believe because it elevates a lot of the problems with production schedules. You can make a film piece by piece or have multiple directors come on and each tackle a section. This film appears to only have one director though throughout its smaller stories. This led to a lot of fun with the themes it tackles. If you're a member of the LGBT community, you'll find a lot to love here. And, that's a huge crossover in horror fandom. Like most horror, I feel like its best to go in blind to these, but I will say, the one about the art gallery was my favorite. When I think of this movie, that's the one that sticks with me. That and the ending wrap around that ties the whole experience together nicely.

Hauntology is somewhat difficult to categorize. More spooky than terrifying, this anthology manages to wrap its unique narrative into consistent themes and tones. Writer-Director Parker Brennon directs all segments, weaving together a film that pays homage to several sub-genres, making Hauntology a tapestry of horror, supernatural scifi, giallo slasher, monster movie, and psychological tension across it's segments. The thread binding Hauntology's narrative together is the isolation, fear, and "otherness" experienced in queer, BIPOC, and feminine perspectives, subtly explored by Brennon and an ensemble cast that is particularly impressive for a small independent film. Those haunting elements of the film are further invoked by an intentional pace and atmospheric photography, perfectly matched by a score that manages to somehow sound both foreboding and eerily cheerful.

Don't come expecting copious jump scares or buckets of blood (although there are some of booth). Hauntology is entirely more "Let's Scare Jessica to Death" or "Carnival of Souls", than it is "Terrifier" or "Nightmare on Elm Street". What does come in abundance are easter eggs and tribute nods worthy of rewatches and Reddit boards.

I'm taking the time to write a review for this terrible movie because I feel like I need to warn others. I honestly don't understand how some viewers gave it a high score. The acting is awful at best-wooden, forced, and completely unconvincing. The story, while somewhat acceptable in the first 20 minutes, quickly falls apart due to lazy writing and a complete lack of originality. The plot unravels into a predictable mess, filled with clichés and nonsensical decisions that make it hard to stay engaged.

The dialogue is unnatural, making it even harder to take the characters seriously. There's no real depth or development, and by the halfway point, I found myself struggling to care about anything happening on screen. The pacing is all over the place, dragging in some scenes while rushing through others, making the entire experience feel disjointed.

If you value your time, I strongly recommend skipping this film. You'd be better off reclaiming those 90 minutes to watch paint dry-it would be far more entertaining and significantly less frustrating than sitting through this disaster. Save yourself the disappointment!