Second of three from director Steven Soderbergh and writer David Koepp (from KIMI/’22 to BLACK BAG/’25), this middle one uncomfortable in its Haunted House tropes. You can see what they’re up to; going for a literary vibe like Henry James’ TURN OF THE SCREW or Shirley Jackson’s THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE. Both of those with multiple filmings,* they start with an impassive but scary old house to set the tone; and here, there’s also a dysfunctional nuclear family of four (mom, dad, teenage siblings). Moving into a restored gem of a suburban house as they search for a fresh start. The girl in particular, in bad mental shape after the death of two best friends. Perhaps a haunted house not the best place to recover? Soderbergh showing unease with the paranormal, hides behind technical challenge, shooting the whole film as a series of gliding one-takes, fading to black between setups. A filming choice that occasionally, but not always, becomes the floating spirit’s roomba ride POV. But what is it the rest of the time? Soderbergh setting film grammar only to ignore it. (Though bravely eliminating shock cuts!) And why does the family stay put after witnessing things going bump in the night? If they only trusted the ectoplasm as oracle! Maybe the daughter’s smooth-talkin’ sexy-ass, controlling boyfriend would have been exposed in time. With a length under 80" (excluding credits), I think the roomba may have tipped off the filmmakers.
WATCH THIS, NOT THAT/LINK: *Those two literary suspensers released as THE HAUNTING/'63 and THE INNOCENTS/'61. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2008/05/haunting-1963.html https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-innocents-1961.html
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