Why Critics are Dead Wrong About the ‘House on Haunted Hill’ Remake
House on Haunted Hill remake doesn’t always get the love it deserves, but that’s by absolutely no fault of its own. This 1999 redux stands as an absolutely effective reimagining that helped set the template for the modern horror remake as we know it. The Dark Castle-produced reimagining updates the classic story for modern (circa 1999) audiences while charting its own course. And that’s precisely what I expect from a reboot.
The flick turns 25 today, which makes now a particularly opportune time to look back on the picture and its legacy. 25 years later, the film remains a woefully underrated effort. In fact, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the critics of 1999 were dead wrong about this one. House on Haunted Hill is far better than its abysmal 31% ‘fresh’ Rotten Tomatoes rating suggests. This redux delivers a mixture of dark comedy, chilling atmosphere, gruesome kills, and a top-notch cast. What’s not to like?
This update on the 1959 classic unfolds like this:
Because she knows a good time when she sees one, the ravishing Evelyn Stockard-Price (Famke Janssen) plans to host her birthday bash in a former sanitarium. Years prior, the institution was damaged in a fire that killed all of the patients and the majority of the staff. Evelyn thinks the building’s history adds a macabre flare to her celebration. But little does she know that the dwelling holds a grudge and plans to collect a blood debt.
On the night of Evelyn’s soiree, a group of guests that neither Evelyn nor her husband, Stephen (Geoffrey Rush), remember inviting show up. Stephen entices them with the chance to win one million dollars. But in order to do that, they’ll have to survive the night. And doing that will be easier said than done.
House on Haunted Hill stands as a fairly early example of a modern horror remake done right. In fact, I would argue that it helped set the template for the glut of reimaginings that eventually followed. This redux wisely pays tribute to its predecessor but separates itself by introducing a supernatural counterpart not seen in the original. Let me tell you, that differentiation delivers some truly horrifying scares.
The supernatural entities in the House on Haunted Hill remake are a welcome addition.
The supernatural component ends up being one of the strongest pieces of the film. The unhinged terror that the house and its undead occupants rain down on the guests is truly frightening. The specters are vicious and have a burning desire to inflict pain upon the film’s protagonists. That aspect is all the more effective because it’s well-supported within the narrative. The ghosts aren’t just vengeful for the sake of creating tension. They have an agenda and an axe to grind. That lends a sense of righteousness to their quest to collect their pound(s) of flesh. The specifics regarding the comeuppance are revealed as the story unfolds. But I won’t give anything more than that away so the uninducted don’t miss out on the surprises in store.
Director William Malone uses lighting tricks and aggressive camerawork to make the specters appear as imposing as possible. He augments the tension by framing his core cast walking down the ominous corridors of the home from voyeuristic angles that suggest they’re being watched. Spoiler alert: They are.
The characters are colorful and entertaining.
Speaking of the core characters, Stephen reads as a loving nod to the late Vincent Price. He has a similar look to the late actor, sporting a pencil-thin mustache, and the character even shares the Price surname. Geoffrey Rush was a wise choice to take on the role. He’s able to nod to a major point of inspiration for the remake without coming across like a low-rent imitator.
The poisonous (pun intended) dynamic between Evelyn and Stephen mirrors the relationship between Frederick and Annabelle (their counterparts from the 1959 original). That brings an element of black comedy as these two people hate each other. In fact, they would both like to see the other dead. Yet, here they are making their best attempt to be good hosts. Their gallows humor yields some memorable laughs. Each convincingly sells their utter distaste for the other.
Additionally, Chris Kattan proves a welcome presence as he provides his signature brand of comic relief. The SNL alum seems to be having a great time playing the harbinger of doom. He’s the equivalent of Crazy Ralph in Friday the 13th. He’s the voice of reason, vocalizing what the audience is thinking. That approach generates some chuckles, but it also helps immerse the viewer. If no one is calling out the inherently foolish nature of what these people are getting themselves into, the viewer is far more likely to fixate on that. But when a character acknowledges what the audience is likely thinking, it’s as if we have permission to move on and enjoy the film.
This picture is timeless in its own way.
In addition to being an underrated affair with a strong cast, House on Haunted Hill is also something of a time capsule. The flick is quintessentially ‘90s as it features a Lisa Loeb cameo, Blockbuster Video product placement, a nu-metal soundtrack, and a cast of hot talent from that era. With all that said, the film isn’t nearly as dated as it could be. The hairstyles, most of the wardrobe, and the set design are all fairly classic. The film strikes a perfect balance between delivering that 90s flavor while also feeling timeless.
Oh, and did I mention the effects? They are fantastic. The kills are brutal. And the falling stained glass sequence is still just as impressive looking now as it was 25 years ago. Some elements might appear ever so slightly dated-looking to some, but I’d argue that they hold up far better than the majority of horror films released in the late ‘90s.
The set design and location scouting are also impeccable. The interiors make the central locale so much fun to be stuck in. The minimalist décor nods to the dwelling’s past as an institution. And the Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles serves as the perfect exterior for the infamous domicile. The presentation makes the house itself function very much like an actual character.
The final verdict on House on Haunted Hill:
House on Haunted Hill is a strong reimagining that charts its own course while nodding to the 1959 original. The cast shines; the supernatural component adds a nice twist; and the film manages to be a product of its era and timeless all at once.
If you are in the mood to pay a visit to the House on Haunted Hill on its anniversary, head over to Tubi where you can find it streaming for free (with ads) as of the publication of this post.
Categorized:Editorials
