1/5
From left to right, Rosario Dawson, Tiffany Haddish, LaKeith Stanfield, and Owen Wilson star in “Haunted Mansion.” Photo courtesy of Disney.
LOS ANGELES, July 25 (UPI) — After a lackluster 2003 adaptation, Disneyland and Magic Kingdom attraction Haunted Mansion finally receives a remarkable movie that rivals the success of the first “Pirates of the Caribbean”.
Haunted Mansion, which hits theaters on Friday, is a clever and emotionally resonant ghost story that captivates audiences, regardless of whether they have experienced the ride or not.
Ben (LaKeith Stanfield) is a talented astrophysicist who encounters Alyssa (Charity Jordan) at a bar in New Orleans. Years later, Ben finds himself alone, giving local tours, but steadfastly denying any belief in the existence of ghosts.
When Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her son, Travis (Chase W. Dillon), move from New York, they encounter genuine apparitions in their new home. Father Kent (Owen Wilson) enlists Ben’s help with a lens he has invented, reputed to be capable of seeing the spirits of the dead.
Once convinced that Gabbie and Travis’ new home is haunted, Ben and Kent recruit the expertise of Bruce (Danny DeVito), a professor of haunted homes, and Harriet (Tiffany Haddish), a medium.
Haunted Mansion strikes a balance between being thrilling like “Ghostbusters” and “Poltergeist,” making it suitable for children to watch while still providing enough intensity to give them a scare. Director Justin Simien skillfully adheres to the cinematic rule of subtly revealing the ghosts during the first half of the movie.
The film not only recreates the iconic visuals of the Disneyland attraction, but also incorporates its own surreal cinematic imagery. Hidden rooms are unveiled through secret passageways, and the spirits within defy the laws of physics.
The group of paranormal investigators follow clues about the home’s original owner, William Gracey (J.R. Adduci), which leads them to encounter other supernatural entities while uncovering the explanation for the haunting.
While some of the plot twists may be predictable for seasoned moviegoers, they are likely to catch younger audiences off guard, especially those who are unfamiliar with M. Night Shyamalan’s films.
At its core, any ghost story revolves around unfinished business. Screenwriter Katie Dippold masterfully captures this theme in a few poignant emotional scenes.
Stanfield delivers a genuinely heartfelt performance as a man who has experienced loss, grounding the film without delving too deeply into adult themes.
The comedic elements are somewhat inconsistent, with not every joke hitting the mark. When jokes fall flat, it can detract from the overall storytelling. However, as the mystery unfolds, Kent manages to land some clever zingers.
Harriet consistently adds a touch of humor while acknowledging the extraordinary supernatural occurrences, and Bruce provides comedic relief as an amusing blowhard.
By the final act, Haunted Mansion becomes a spirited jamboree as all the apparitions are revealed. The film delivers the thrills promised by its title while offering additional layers to create a satisfying movie experience.
Fred Topel, an entertainment writer based in Los Angeles, attended film school at Ithaca College. He has been a professional film critic since 1999, a Rotten Tomatoes critic since 2001, and a member of the Television Critics Association since 2012 and the Critics Choice Association since 2023. Read more of his work in Entertainment.
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