The Haunting in Connecticut

In this drama/thriller, Kyle Gallner plays Matt Campbell, a cancer-stricken teenager undergoing excructiaing experimental treatment.  Matt’s doctor insists on knowing immediately if he shows any signs of hallucination whatsoever so that treatment may be stopped.  When Matt and his family move into an old house that they find out was used as a mortuary, Matt starts to see things that he’s convinced aren’t real – that is, until during a game of hide-and-seek, little Mary (Sophie Knight) falls through the attic floor getting her leg caught, leading to the discovery of some very old, very straaaange photos…

Matt and Wendy (played by Amanda Crew) do some research at the local library to find the story behind this mysterious and strange house their family is living in, and they don’t like what they read.  They call in Reverend Popescu (Elias Koteas) to assist, a man Matt met at the hospital after one of his treatments.  Despite Matt and Wendy’s pleading, Matt’s mother (Virginia Madsen) commands the Reverend to leave the house, claiming that he’s causing the condition of the sickly teenager to worsen.  Not too long after, the rest of the family begins to experience strange happenings in the house as well.  Mrs. Campbell finally breaks down and calls upon the Reverend once more to come and rid the old house of whatever may be possessing it.  Drama unfolds when Matt wakes up with cuts covering his entire body and he is rushed to the hospital for emergency care.  The doctor tells Mr. & Mrs. Campbell that Matt is sedated and resting, and may very well pass away before the night ends.  They enter the room to sit by his side, and he is gone….

The acting in this film was done well, which surprised me a little since there aren’t any big names on the roster.  The graphics/special effects to display the “horrors” within the house were also well done, from what I saw – I spent much of those scenes with my hands over my face, peeking through my fingers.  To be completely honest, I don’t really know why I watch horror movies.  I hate to be scared.  And yet, here I sit, writing my thoughts on what?  A horror movie.  I’m always intrigued by anything that claims to be Based On A True Story as this film does (the actual story is said to have occurred in Southington, CT from 1986-1988).

This movie is definitely worth adding to your Netflix queue or making the short trip to Blockbuster to rent it.  Just make sure you watch it during the day, and make sure you snuggle up close to someone big and strong who will walk with you to the bathroom afterwards, check for monsters under your bed, the boogeyman in your closet, and dead people in your walls.

I’m scared after uploading that image.  I’m supposed to go to sleep now?  Geez Louise.