Haunted Mansion (2023): A getaway to the horror genre for kids
Given the massive popularity of some Disney Park attractions, it should come as no surprise that the studio will take advantage of them and adapt the most well known rides into big budget films. With the release of The Haunted Mansion starring Eddie Murphy 20 years ago, this nostalgic movie was guaranteed to get a reboot. Directed by Justin Simien (best known for Dear White People) Haunted Mansion (2023) tells the story of a single mom who discovers that her newly bought mansion needs exorcising. She hires a psychic, a priest, a historian, and a tour guide, with a special camera, to help her with her ghastly problem.
Storywise, the plot is pretty simplistic and straight forward, and you don’t have to watch the original movie to enjoy this iteration. The film is composed of a star-studded cast, including LaKeith Stanfield and Rosario Dawson playing more serious roles, whilst Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson and Danny DeVito play the comedic relief. While some gags brought out a chuckle, others overstayed their welcome and stretched the jokes a bit too much. Besides the playfulness of the haunted mansion itself, there’s a deeper narrative that was developed with LaKeith Stanfield’s character, which provides a gateway for introducing children to sensitive themes like grief and loss; weaving these themes into the storyline in a way that’s age-appropriate but can also resonate with an older audience.
We have to bear in mind that Haunted Mansion’s target demographic is a younger audience. Introducing the horror genre to kids with gentle scares and allowing them to be spooked out without crossing a certain boundary. The story does a good job of creating a ghostly atmosphere that aligns with the theme park attraction, incorporating parts of the ride into the film, such as the “Doom Boogie” or the “changing portraits”. However, the movie relied heavily on the use of CGI, which felt made the effects feel hollow, making the narrative somewhat walk on a thin line of style over substance. Compared to the original film, that used special effects and makeup that help elevate the spooky essence and brought a distinctive style.
Regardless of its imperfections, Haunted Mansion is a simple yet solid Introduction to the horror genre for a younger generation. Remember, when Halloween season is around the corner, add it to your list for a family-friendly spooky time.
Writer’s Note:
This review was written and published during the strikes of the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Without their work, the film being covered would not exist.
