Disney’s ‘Haunted Mansion‘ has become integral to the company’s eerie collection, spawning three film adaptations. This latest instalment, directed by Justin Simien, follows a Black-led live-action version of the story, featuring a simple plot executed in a straightforward manner. Single mother Gabbie and her son Travis move into their dream antique house, only to discover it’s haunted. They team up with various characters to tackle supernatural disturbances, including a grieving astrophysicist, a priest, a medium, and a haunted house expert.
Despite its star-studded cast, “Haunted Mansion” falls short in terms of quality. The script, penned by writer Katie Dippold, lacks punch and feels forced, with only Owen Wilson and Tiffany Haddish carrying the humor effectively. While the film attempts to appeal to more mature audiences with light innuendos, the jokes often fall flat.
Review
The film does manage to showcase its fun-loving origins by transforming the house into a surreal landscape, complete with classic Gothic elements like never-ending halls and haunted portraits. However, the playful chases and spooky sequences are short-lived, and the movie struggles to build genuine tension until the climactic faceoff in the third act.
One of the film’s major disappointments lies in the underutilization and misdirection of its talented ensemble cast. LaKeith Stanfield‘s portrayal of a grieving character lacks emotional depth, and the romantic subplot between him and Rosario Dawson feels contrived. Despite having seasoned comedic actors like Wilson, DeVito, and Haddish, the film fails to capitalize on their humor.
While “Haunted Mansion” delves into themes of grief, vulnerability, and the power of love, it falls short of becoming a Halloween classic due to its lackluster comedic efforts and misuse of the ensemble cast. Despite offering nostalgic spookiness, the film ultimately misses the mark.
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