2023 Summer Movie Season - Haunted Mansion: Review & Analysis

Happy Haunt!!! 2nd Adaptation Based On Disney Attraction is Spookily Fun Yet Flawed Outing!!!

Review By Brandon Porter

WELCOME. Foolish Mortals.

Story Description

Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her son Travis (Chase Dillon) are eager for a fresh start as they move into their new home. Located off the beaten path on the outskirts of New Orleans, the mother and son duo set up shop inside an old-school 17th-century mansion. However, a minor complication has arisen in their new residence…the house is infested with ghosts and ghoulish apparitions. Determined to rid the mansion of these supernatural squatters, Gabbie and Travis enlist the services of several “professional” contractors: a college historian (Danny DeVito), a “spiritual tour guide” (LaKeith Stanfield), an eccentric psychic (Tiffany Haddish), and an out of the ordinary Priest (Owen Wilson). Together, they must cleanse the residents of these grim grinning ghosts or risk becoming part of the roster of woefully depraved souls. 

A ragtag team to combat the supernatural 
haunts of these halls.

Film Review

Based on the beloved Disney Parks attraction, Director Justin Simien invites guests to the summer’s spookiest housewarming party. Behind an all-star cast and a genuine sense of authenticity in capturing the essence of the attraction, Haunted Mansion aims for a hauntingly fun thrill ride much like the classic attraction that inspired it. After spending some time socializing with these grim grinning ghosts, Disney's second attempt at a cinematic adaption based off of the beloved Disney Parks attraction is a vast improvement from its maligned predecessor from 20 years prior. It is very clear Justin Simien took the task of creating a movie based on the ride very seriously. An obvious fan of the attraction itself, Simien makes sure that he perfectly captures the essence, look, and feel that longtime fans expect. All while trying to deliver a story that is just as engaging and immersive as the attraction it's based on. In that department, he partially succeeds. For starters, the staked cast actually does a great job at keeping things relatively engaging throughout the film's 2-hour runtime. The obvious standout is LaKeith Stanfield as Ben. After incorrectly assuming he was a supporting character, it is made clear within the film's opening minutes that he is the film's primary protagonist. Stanfield does a terrific job carrying the majority of the weight in the film. He plays off of every member of the cast extremely well and his character's arc is emotionally moving and really added incredible value to the narrative. While Ben is the most fleshed-out character, the other supporting roles don't get as much depth though they are far from a deterrent to the film. Rosario Dawson and Chase Dillon are a fun tandem as Gabbie and Travis while Danny Devito, Owen Wilson, and Tiffany Haddish offer some strong comedic infusion as Bruce, Kent, and Harriet. The chemistry really holds the film together in places it should fall apart. Credit to the talented cast and Simien's directing for steering what could have easily been a sinking ship.  

Don't ignore her. She's sensitive.

As I mentioned before, the film benefitted strongly from the authentic feel of the ride being put to the screen. From the production design, music, and visual references, Simien and the team have a deep love for the lore and essence of the attraction. There is little to critique when it comes to questioning whether this movie feels like a Haunted Mansion film. That said, the movie isn't without fault in some other areas. The movie tries its best to craft a story about grief and there are moments especially involving Ben's character where you feel the weight of the thematic elements. There is some stuff here that could've really put this film over the edge as something special but some of the gems are undercut by some elements that rob the film an opportunity to really stand out. This is in no way a dealbreaker for the film for it still has plenty of fun for everyone but it shows that the film could have really been taken over the edge if it had really played into those elements that were working so well. Overall, Haunted Mansion is exactly what it should be for a movie based on a theme park attraction. It's a campy and goofy good time but in ways that don't decrease the entertainment value. Don't get it twisted, a much better film is definitely under the surface but what was presented is good enough to make this visit to the home of 999 happy haunts worth the trip. 

Rating and Final Thoughts

With just enough elements to make the visit worth it, Haunted Mansion is flawed yet still does a
great job at authentically making the world of the attraction comes to life on screen. 

In Leota we trust.