The Haunting Review

Review of The Haunting (1963) by screenqueeen: 👍 4/5

HOOPTOBER 666 DAY 20 7 DAYS REMAIN

This has a very different approach than the William Castle/Hammer style of horror films, and it takes a little while to acclimate to it. There seems to be a higher threshold of suspension of disbelief at the start but according to the opening narration, everything is posited as true or at least believed (however nothing that's presented as "true" can be verified). Once we enter the thoughts and concerns of Eleanor, things become a lot more twisted.

She even questions herself at certain points, making any convictions she comes to during the film up for debate whether anything meaningful is happening to her at all. This does force you to ask yourself who you most identify with here, because when nothing can be proven and almost everything around you is incapable of being understood, relatability is the next best option.