The Hopewell Haunting

This film was a whole lot of nothing. Nothing happens at all. It's world-record-level boring. There's no character development. There's no emotional experience. It isn't remotely horror. Or a thriller. It's not suspenseful. It's not entertaining. It's not campy. It's got nothing going for it. The whole thing feels like clickbait.

The acting is so painfully awful, you just can't get past it. And the script is even worse. The only redeeming quality was the atmosphere and possibly a little of the cinematography, but since everything else was completely butchered, it doesn't do much. The sound editing could have been fantastic and eerie but instead of being tactful and subtle, it was completely obnoxious, failing to have its intended effect.

I am giving two stars because I somehow got conned into watching to the end thinking MAYBE something redeeming would happen in the final five minutes. It didn't.

Please do yourself a favor and skip this. I seriously implore you to not waste your time. This isn't even worth playing in the background. It isn't worth watching for horror connoisseurs, completionists, or anyone expecting horror or any of its elements in any capacity whatsoever. This is easily in the top 10 worst films I've ever sat through.

Loved it. Aside from the very haunting scenery and authentic acting, it had many edge-of-the-seat scary elements with a conclusive and thoughtful ending. The period in time and the scenes really add to the overall melancholy vibe. The scary parts deliver well. I was peeking through my fingers a few times. It had a wonderful, deeper storyline that lent to a greater understanding of the main character's struggles. There was a sad element too, which I won't reveal. And surprisingly, there were a few happy emotions as well. Good story with a decipherable ending. We love a thoroughly good, quality haunt, and this truly delivered.

You'll love this if you don't need a plot or story. Great darkly shot scenes where you don't see anything. Mind numbing dialogue and repetitive dull soundtrack. Old snot rag is the basis of the film that never gets explained or developed. The only terror I experienced was due to the fact that I watched the entire production. Did everyone in rural Kentucky wear brand new clothes? They did in this.

If you really want to enjoy this you're going to need to drink multiple Mint Juleps. I believe that the well of Hope in Hopewell has run dry. The only haunting you experience after viewing this is the terror you realize how much time you've lost.

This film was enjoyable to watch and is worth finishing despite the sometimes slow pace it presents. There is a certain humility to this film with regards to what is common in horror being made along side it.

If you are used to typical derivative horror film making styles, this could be a divisive viewing for you. It does contain mediocre acting, and low budget sets but it also does not try to be bigger than it's own britches in that regard. Those qualities don't take away from the film. You simply accept that this is what it is and let the story guide you. It is easy to emphasize with the characters.

I wouldn't ever view this again, but I am glad that I saw it.

Firstly, the film uses excellent ambiance and sound to draw the audience in. The cinematography lends itself to the period. The relationship tension serves to set the tone of the film up until the catharsis. It teases jump scares, relying more on suspense; delivering a truely scintillating sequence between the haunt and the lead. Undoubtedly, a good after midnight film when you don't want something too scary but want something gripping.

The dialogue could have been better linked to the bible; It would have made the character's return to faith more concrete and enjoyable. The jaded nature of the protagonist makes the character arc quite satisfying, even though it's somewhat understated. It's beauty is in its minimalism, and the set does a lot of work for the feel of the film.

Unanswered questions allow the audience to imagine their own narrative and is a welcome style choice.