Haunted Mansion is a story of ghosts and grief. Ben Matthias (LaKeith Stanfield) was a budding astrophysicist until tragedy struck and pushed his life in a different direction. After a failed career trying to capture photographic evidence of spirits, he is despondent and broke. When an offer comes his way to investigate a haunted house, Ben is happy to collect the money but remains unconvinced that ghosts are real. At said house—Gracie mansion—Ben meets Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her son Travis (Chase Dillon). Upon discovering that a supernatural threat may be genuine, he becomes sympathetic to their situation and begins working on unraveling the mystery of the haunted mansion.
What works in Haunted Mansion is the coat of whimsy around some heavy, but important, themes about death and coping. With a terrific cast comes terrific moments, and Haunted Mansion doesn’t waste its assembled talent. Stanfield and Dawson are immediately likable as individuals with complex motivations and huge hearts. In addition, Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers, Night at the Museum) provides consistent levity as an overly optimistic priest, excited by every new development. But the most impressive component of Haunted Mansion is how it uses humor as a gateway to explore complicated issues. Particularly, how grieving the loss of loved ones is normal, but learning to manage and control those feelings is essential.
RELATED: Disney’s Haunted Mansion Movie Arrives On Digital And Home Media
People seeking a specific, focused genre of film to fit their mood may not enjoy Haunted Mansion as much as others. Director Justin Simien (Dear White People, Bad Hair) has created a movie that sits at the crossroads of comedy, drama, and horror. As Haunted Mansion floats and wanders, these three tones can sometimes feel in conflict with each other. For example, many jokes feel juvenile in nature and will likely tickle younger viewers. However, those same people might recoil in horror when the ghosts begin screaming, throwing axes, and possessing people against their will. The transitions and balance of these mixed genres may not feel smooth or congruent to audience members.
Haunted Mansion is a great pick for families with slightly older kids this Halloween. While it may suffer from a case of identity crisis, Haunted Mansion delivers fun moments of laughter and thrills.
Recommended if you Enjoyed: Ghostbusters (2016), Hocus Pocus 2
Haunted Mansion is now available on Disney+ and for rent/purchase on most digital streaming platforms.
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