Haunted Mansion (2023) spoiler free review
Welcome Foolish Mortals. Directed by Justin Simien Haunted Mansion is a 2023 American supernatural horror comedy from a screenplay by Katie Dippold. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures is the second theatrical film adaptation of Disney’s theme park attraction. It premiered at Disneyland on July 15, 2023, and is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 28, 2023.
A single mother and her son move into a mansion, only to find that it is haunted. To combat the spirits, they hire a former paranormal investigator turned tour guide, a priest, a psychic, and a college history professor.
Film synopsis
The cast includes LaKeith Stanfield as Ben, a paranormal tour guide, Tiffany Haddish as Harriet, a psychic, Owen Wilson as Father Kent, a priest, Danny DeVito as Professor Bruce Davis, a college historian, Rosario Dawson as Gabbie, Chase W. Dillon as Travis, Gabbie’s son, Jamie Lee Curtis as Madame Leota, Jared Leto as the voice of the Hatbox Ghost, Winona Ryder as Pat, a New Orleans tour guide, Hasan Minhaj as a sketch artist, Dan Levy as Vic, and Charity Jordan as Alyssa, Ben’s recently deceased wife.
My opinion
The perfect Halloween movie for kids has arrived. This new version brings all the aspects of the theme park attraction with a message about grieve. But its important to always remember to who this film is directed, to the little ones. The story is simple to follow and understand, sometimes even been redundant, with a predictable resolution. Still, that won’t take away the fun with a cast and visual designs that make hard to look away.
Danny DeVito and Owen Wilson do what they do best as the responsables for the mayority of the jokes. But, Tiffany Haddish and Chase W. Dillon‘s performances should’t be overlooked as both of them bring more fun to the table. The characters are generic and nothing outstanding, just like the rest of the film, there’s nothing revolutionary about it. But, is the cast that makes it enjoyable and worth watching. The visual designs and sets are mesmerizing, perfectly capturing the essence of the rides that fans have been visiting for decades. The ghost are scary looking, haunting the corners and waiting in the background turning the film into a family friendly Insidious. Haunted Mansion is exactly what is expected from it; an enjoyable and fun spooky film for kids, nothing more nothing less.
*This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist. Critics are not on strike and are not obligated to stop reviewing movies or TV shows.*