The Haunting at 25: A Glossy, Goofy Adaptation Out of Time

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As a huge fan of Shirley Jackson’s “The Haunting of Hill House,” I have had the pleasure of exploring various adaptations throughout the years. Among them, Jan de Bont’s 1999 film leaves me feeling underwhelmed and disappointed.

As a gamer, I’ve experienced the chilling tale of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House being brought to life on screen no less than three times over the past 65 years. Yet, it’s the middle adaptation that leaves me with mixed feelings and intrigued for an alternate take.

Jackson’s inspiration for her haunted house story came from a team of psychic investigators she had learned about, who explored a creepy house and gathered tales of people who might have been delusional or mistakenly reporting ghost sightings. These stories reminded Jackson of classic ghost narratives, compelling her to write her own chilling tale. To create an authentic setting, she researched a suitable old house (later discovered to be designed by her great-great-grandfather) and amassed a collection of existing ghost stories for added detail and atmosphere.

As a huge fan, I have to say that this chilling tale about Hill House, one of the most renowned ghost stories from the last century, has left an indelible mark on me. The house itself seemed to defy location, existing in multiple places and nowhere at all, which made it ripe for reinterpretation whenever film or literary adaptations came along.

Hill House revisited

In the revised version, individuals are drawn to Hill House due to past encounters with strange phenomena. A tight-knit band of explorers choose to seclude themselves within the mansion, eager to uncover evidence supporting the existence of the supernatural.

During their visit, they encountered some unusual occurrences and subtly depicted supernatural incidents. Unsurprisingly, these events led to a chilling turn of events, making the narrative compelling. However, it’s the well-developed characters that truly make this story stand out.

Robert Wise, renowned director of “The Sound of Music” and “West Side Story,” was the pioneer in bringing “The Haunting,” originally released in 1963, to life on screen. His interpretation beautifully conveyed the essence and framework of the novel, remaining fairly true to its original form. As a result, audiences appreciated his chilling and suspenseful take on this classic ghost story.

At the opposite end lies Mike Flanagan’s 2018 Netflix production, “The Haunting of Hill House,” widely recognized as an adaptation, yet with a flexible narrative. Nonetheless, Flanagan masterfully focuses on the individual hauntings of each character, vividly bringing their experiences to life.

In 1999, The Haunting marked a departure from Jan de Bont’s usual film genre. Up until then, his resume didn’t suggest a horror background. He had directed Speed and Twister before taking on Hill House. Most of his work focused on cinematography, with titles like Die Hard, Basic Instinct, Black Rain, and Lethal Weapon 3 under his belt. However, he did have some horror credits to his name, such as Flatliners, Cujo, and Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker.

The Haunting trailer

In a new twist on the novel’s theme, “The Haunting of Hill House” invites strangers – portrayed by Lili Taylor, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Owen Wilson – to Hil House under the pretense of a sleep study led by Dr. David Marrow, played by Liam Neeson. However, Marrow conceals his true intentions as he is deeply connected to the house’s ominous past. Soon enough, the mansion unleashes its sinister side through chilling and violent hauntings.

In this rendition, de Bont effectively conveys a gothic atmosphere. The Hill House design impresses with its vastness and contributes to an awe-inspiring sense of place. However, Father Time has taken a toll on the late-90s CGI, which unfortunately detracts from some of the excellent work accomplished there.

In this rendition, the film faces a conflict between contrasting tones which undermines its intended Haunting effect. It aspires to be a contemporary and edgy adaptation of a classic horror story, recalling the late 90s horror trend. However, it falls short of being either genuinely frightening or amusingly campy. This is particularly intriguing since it attempts to adopt a more intense tone than its original source material. Regrettably, the desired atmospheric suspense is lost due to subpar acting or weak writing from the cast (it’s a combination of both).

A Bad Haunting

The final product leaves something to be desired, coming off as both quirky yet lackluster. It doesn’t quite reach the level of campy brilliance needed for cult status, nor does it achieve the ironic appeal of a watch-along favorite due to its mediocre execution. Instead, it resembles an overpriced carnival ride more than a deep exploration into psychological horror and personal trauma.

Adapting something isn’t always about sticking to the original tone. It can be enjoyable to explore new directions, but this should come from a deep appreciation and genuine understanding of the source material. Unfortunately, in The Haunting directed by Jan de Bont, it seems that the filmmaker didn’t fully grasp the essence of the book and the 1963 movie. As a result, the characters lack depth and significance to the horror presented, making the 1999 film feel as emotionally engaging as a humorous YouTube commentary.

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2024-07-23 23:40