Review of Haunter (2013) by Thomas W — 21 Nov 2013
The first twenty-five minutes-or-so of the little IFC horror film, Haunter, are actually quite good and it captured my interest and curiosity but the story spirals out of control and becomes a confusing hodgepodge of a film as it progresses.
Starring Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine, Zombieland), the film is a cross between Groundhog Day (without the laughs) and the first season of 'American Horror Story' with pieces of several other well-known fright-flicks littered throughout (they are quite obvious while onscreen).
Breslin stars as Lisa, a typical teenager who alone seems to realize that her life is on repeat ... alone with her family (mom, dad and little brother) in a house that is entrenched in an (apparently) eternal spooky, moody fog.
As she tries to break the repetitiveness with moments of rebellion, she eventually discovers a secret, hidden door in her basement and finds a young girl in need of help. Haunter provides flashbacks of backstory as Lisa discovers more-and-more about the history of her home; but as more-and-more is introduced to the audience there are that many more plot points to lose control of .
.. which the director does. Boo! There was much potential in a horror film that would utilize the well-known Groundhog Day premise but the film ultimately does little with it (as Haunter's best moments are found at the film's start).
Breslin is never bad here ... it is just that the film is nothing special. It is mediocre horror-lite.
This review of Haunter (2013) was written by Thomas W on 21 Nov 2013.
Haunter has generally received mixed reviews.
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