Hell House LLC (2015)

When it comes to found footage, I like to scoff at how ineffective these movies are. They often strike me as cheap and unprofessional output from people who think they can make a great horror movie simply because they own a camcorder. There are a few passable ones out there, but dare I eat my own words when I say that this movie gave me chills.

I guess every found footage movie tries to pretend it's a true story with some documentary wrap-around, and this one is no different in that sense. It follows a group of people who set out to make a haunted house in some dilapidated junk heap hotel they find, which turns out to be a real creepy place in its own right, and wouldn't you know... it's actually haunted.

The film documents their conversion of the place into a haunted attraction within a month or so, and things only get creepier as opening day nears. The movie begins with the reveal that the very first outing ended badly, so the chronicles leading up to the big night are what it's all about. Things that shouldn't be happening with the props are happening with the props, and people are gradually losing their shit and blaming each other. Subtlety without obnoxious jump scares, but rather "Why the fuck is that thing there?!"

This movie left me feeling a bit uneasy. I really like the type of scares they crafted with this one. Dare I bother with the extended director's cut and/or the sequel?!

#Review