Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor (2023) spoiler free review
Every story has an origin. Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor is a 2023 American found footage horror film directed and written by Stephen Cognetti and produced by Joe Bandelli. It’s the fourth installment in the Hell House LLC franchise and serves as a prequel to Hell House LLC (2015). The film had its limited release on October 24, 2023, and was released on October 30, 2023 on Shudder.
A group of cold case investigators stay at the Carmichael Manor. After four nights, the group was never heard from again. What is discovered on their footage is even more disturbing than anything found on the Hell House tapes.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Bridget Rose Perrotta as Margot Bentley, Destiny Leilani Brown as Rebecca Vickers, James Liddell as Chase Bentley, Cayla Berejikian as Catherine Carmichael, Victoria Andrunik as Margaret Carmichael, Darin F. Earl II as Bradley Moynahan, Searra Sawka as Alice Harper, Thomas J. Cipriano as 80’s News Anchor, Michael Caprioli as Donald, Celeste Cicon as Antique Store Clerk, Marlene Williams as Eleanor Carmichael, Dayna Michelle Kurtz as Linda, Joe Bandelli as Hell House Clown, and Robert Savakinus as Arthur Carmichael.
My opinion
Opening with interviews and footage explaining the Charmichael’s family story the film takes us to see the found footage of Margot. She and her team stayed in the manor for 5 days but they were murdered in a mysterious way. The answers to this crime lie in the recordings that will leave your hair standing on end.
Effectively imitating the documentary and found footage format Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor takes us through the corridors of this mansion that hides dark secrets between its walls and clowns. Yes, you read that right, clowns. These simulate realistically sized figures but have the ability to move on their own. Along with them, the film manages to scare effectively with jumps scares that could make you scream more than once, especially if you don’t like clowns. The camera work is solid and fitting with the found footage format creating an immersive experience by adding realism increasing the scary atmosphere.
This prequel or sequel, since it is never one hundred percent clear what it is, is an improvement in the franchise after the two previous installments failed to replicate the impact of the first film Hell House LLC, released in 2015. The pace of the plot manages to create a tense atmosphere even with a story that lacks logic. It is common for characters in horror movies to make decisions without using logic. But in this case it was somewhat exaggerated. The acting is average and the way the characters were written makes them somewhat difficult to tolerate.
Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor it’s a good return to the franchise but it’s starting to lack originality. Now available on Shudder.
[Editor’s note: This piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.]