The Haunting of Julia Fields

Apparently, the film with the most 'on the nose' title ever - 'The Haunting of Julia Fields' - was 'based on a true story.' If that means a girl rents a house, then I guess it's correct. But I'm guessing the film-makers wanted to imply that the supernatural elements which befall her are the part which is supposed to be real. I guess if you make it until the end you'll realise which parts were supposed to be 'real' and which weren't. Um, that's pretty much a summary of the movie. A girl - Julia Fields, would you believe! - moved into a rented house in Florida where she's slowly stalked by more and more supernatural events and entities.

And when I say 'slowly' I mean slow. The film isn't long (not that much over an hour), but it does tend to drag. I wanted to like this one more than I probably did, but there just isn't that much that happens. Unless I blinked and missed the part where the story explains why a young girl (who looks more like she should be in college) can rent her own home and never seems to have to work, the central character does little more than wander round the house in her pyjamas and then hears a noise.

I know some people will say that this is all done to build tension, but there comes a time when the audience is just crying out for something to actually happen. It doesn't help that Julia Fields lives on her own, therefore she doesn't really have many times where she can interact with any other character - until she encounters one creepy person after the next.

However, saying all that, I did make it until the end. It wasn't just because the film was so short that it was easy, but I actually quite liked the lead actress' performance and she certainly did her best with what little she was given. Plus I wanted to see whether there was going to be some sort of major twist/payoff in the final moments. I won't spoil the ending, but I will go as far as to say that, although this is an easy watch and has a few moments of creepiness, there isn't that much that a seasoned horror fan won't have seen before, meaning you can take or leave it really.

Okay, low budget, really frustrating and annoying dialogue, but wow. The ending is completely the opposite of what you'd expect. Based on a true story in some ways.

There should have been more characters involved, more depth to Julia's character other than blogging, and staying round the house in her pjs. I sort of get why, because the script was short and they wanted to get to the point but much better use is the English language was badly needed other then saying, totally, like, it's like, seriously. Like, like, really, I'm so, like. Look America you know there are many more words than that right? Is this how American girls talk really!? What in every film? Also a bit more clarity needed in the final third rather than us just being made to wonder.

Aside from all that, blown away as to how surprising this was. Well done this time. Audience reviews are lying.

This movie had so much potential but was a bit of a disappointment. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good..The story is a true story so they could have really took this to another level and built some substance. The main actress' acting was robotic and almost cringe. I couldn't get lost in the movie because they weren't selling me on their roles. It was obvious they are actors. Bless their hearts they tried... it could have been scarier but kinda felt like a fever dream instead. There were a few creepy parts though. I think they could have added scarier music to make you feel unease and get your adrenaline pumping. The end is really rushed and there is no build up. It just kinda wraps up where you are left wondering what just happened and you're wanting more substance and detail.

There aren't many movies that I've watched that where I finish it I feel like I've wasted my time...this however is one of those. Biggest waste of an hour and a half of my life ever!! Horrible acting, horrible storytelling, horrible storylines. It was just all around horrible. I kept waiting for something to click and have it take off, that click never came. The main character actress has potential to do good things in her career, in my opinion. However, all the supporting actors are "B" actors and actresses at best, and that's being generous. Don't waste your time like I did...you've been warned.

It wasted mine. I forgave the plot contrivances, dumb little errors and writing flaws that made no sense - in the dwindling hope it would "get to the good part." While this movie is available for free, it's not worth it. It hasn't a good part. There is no pay-off to "Balloon Boy," no development of the paranormal aspects, the script is just in every way awful. The acting - what there is of acting, is merely acceptable. Neither good nor bad. The incorporation of the cell phone text messages does not though, pass for dialogue, drama or tension building. And boy happy howdy, does this sham of a movie rely on that. GET IT? SHE'S 22, SHE HAS A CELL PHONE! That doesn't make a movie. I'd tell the people behind this thing to try again. But, they sure weren't trying with this.