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.

I like anthologies...

I like the horror genre...

I don't expect too much from a movie, just entertain me. I don't mind if it's a little cringe, or campy, seeing the string or bad acting here or there can be fine.

This movie has the feel of a "really talented" highschool production team.

Terrible characters Terrible writing Terrible acting

The only thing this movie did incredibly well, was being predictable in every way.

There is not a single thing redeemable about this movie, it feels like a "b-side" from a low cost production TV show, like goosebumps or are you afraid of the dark.

Sorry.

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.

At the end of the film Hauntology, I found myself grappling with mixed feelings. On one hand, the premise of the film intrigued me, but on the other, I was left feeling that it could have been a far more engaging experience. As the credits rolled, I couldn't help but reflect on the numerous moments throughout the film that made me cringe, primarily due to the subpar acting and effects. These elements, while perhaps intended to create a unique atmosphere, often detracted from the overall narrative and emotional impact of the story.

The film seems to cater to a very niche audience, one that appreciates the deeper, perhaps more esoteric themes of hauntology itself. This concept, which deals with the presence of ghosts from the past within the current reality, offers fertile ground for storytelling. However, as someone who doesn't necessarily resonate with this specific audience, I felt somewhat alienated. Despite its intellectual ambitions, Hauntology struggled to communicate its ideas effectively, leaving me and perhaps other viewers outside its intended demographic feeling somewhat disconnected.

One of the most notable shortcomings was the acting. The performances came across as wooden and unconvincing at times, which made it challenging to become emotionally invested in the characters. For a film that seeks to explore themes of memory, loss, and the haunting presence of the past, it is vital for the actors to evoke genuine emotions. Unfortunately, the lack of depth in their portrayals made it difficult to connect with their struggles. Instead of feeling empathy or tension, I found myself distracted by the performances, which undermined the film's potential to resonate on a deeper level.

Additionally, the special effects left much to be desired. In a genre where visual storytelling can significantly enhance the atmosphere and narrative, the substandard effects often pulled me out of the moment. Rather than instilling a sense of dread or intrigue, they felt clunky and unrefined. This was particularly evident in the film's attempt to convey its ghostly themes, as the effects did not succeed in creating a haunting or eerie ambiance. Instead of being captivated by the visuals, I was left feeling more amused than scared, which is not the reaction a horror film typically aims to elicit.

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!