31 Days of Halloween: Ill-Fated Enterprise

Hell House LLC (2015)
******* (7 out of 10 stars)
Director: Stephen Cognetti
Producer: Joe Bandelli
Starring: Ryan Jennifer Jones, Danny Bellini, Gore Abrams, Jared Hacker, Alice Bahlke

“We have to go back inside.” – Alex

Review:

Dear Harvesters of Halloween Horrors, of all of the theatrical and sinister streaming frights I have perused in an ongoing effort to reveal the truths of stories that are old, new, vivid, and obscure, this film had slipped past me, almost without notice. In truth, I passed it by because found footage films had always seemed poorly crafted and watching it, a fruitless enterprise. Hell House LLC was surprising on a couple of levels. Before I get into that, let’s recoil backward to consider what it was all about.

The premise is purely practical: Five years after an unexplained disaster claimed the lives of tour goers and event staff on the opening night of a haunted house, a documentary crew tries to piece together the details of the terrifying tragedy, to discover what really happened. It is a simple story, though it was expertly told and believably acted. It would be easy to give spoilers, which I will avoid.

When this movie started, my expectation was that it would be like any found footage film. Full of feebly framed fears and fake freak-outs, ending with poorly achieved emotional meltdowns and an unsatisfying conclusion. This film was delightfully different, and though found-footage films are often a boorish bastion for amateur direction, penury scares, and incidental actors, this one was not that. No, dear viewers—definitely not. The director took an approach where he expertly assembled different film techniques when he switched between the different perspectives of the film, always being aware of what the viewer was seeing and how it was being perceived and ingested.

The acting in this film was also a towering cut above the cold gruel I was expecting. Ryan Jennifer Jones, portraying Sara Havel, delivered a performance that was both haunting and heartfelt. Her character, the sole survivor of the tragedy, provided the emotional anchor of the film. Jones’s ability to convey trauma and resilience added depth to the narrative, making her scenes particularly compelling.

Danny Bellini, as Alex Taylor, the determined leader of the haunted house crew, brought a sense of urgency and desperation to his role. Bellini’s portrayal of Alex’s unwavering commitment to the project, despite the mounting horrors, was both believable and tragic. His performance helped to drive the plot forward, keeping viewers on edge.

Gore Abrams, playing Paul O’Keefe, added a layer of skepticism and dark humor to the film. Abrams’s character often served as the audience’s voice, questioning the sanity of continuing the project amidst the eerie occurrences. His interactions with the other characters provided moments of levity, balancing the film’s tension.

Jared Hacker, as Tony Prescott, and Alice Bahlke, as Diane Graves, rounded out the cast with strong performances. Hacker’s portrayal of Tony, the practical and often fearful member of the crew, was relatable and grounded. Bahlke, as the documentary producer Diane, brought a sense of professionalism and determination to uncover the truth, adding credibility to the film’s documentary style.

It seems that had I continued to overlook this film I would have missed a real gem. From here out, my dear readers, I will concentrate on this film only as it compares with other films.

First, the pacing was acceptable, sustaining the story with an ever-growing sense of dread and suspense. The scares were there, and not always hidden from view. This film challenges you with recognition that not everything is right, and allows you to realize the coming of danger and the foolhardiness of the characters, which builds the suspense in an eerily effective way. The director’s skillful manipulation of tension and timing ensures that the audience remains on the edge of their seats, anticipating the next chilling revelation.

Moreover, the film’s setting—a dilapidated hotel turned haunted house—serves as a character in its own right. The eerie atmosphere, combined with the claustrophobic confines of the hotel’s dark corridors and hidden rooms, amplifies the sense of dread. The production design deserves commendation for creating a believable and immersive environment that enhances the overall horror experience.

It still suffers from some predictability when it is unwanted and some unpredictability when more clear and definitive answers are needed. Certain plot points may feel familiar to seasoned horror aficionados, and there are moments where the narrative could benefit from more clarity. However, these minor shortcomings do not detract significantly from the film’s overall impact.

Still, I enjoyed this film and would watch it again with my fiendish friends and frightening fans of horror. Hell House LLC stands as a testament to the potential of found footage horror when executed with care and creativity. It is a film that invites viewers to look beyond their preconceptions and embrace the terror that lurks within.