SpookyWatcher

I enjoyed this but there were definitely some bumps along the way. The acting is honestly very solid. Good performances. The concept is fun enough, although not completely original. There's some issues with dialogue and the lead character making unbelievably stupid decisions on multiple occasions. But it's a very moody, haunted hotel story with enough tension and creepy moments to warrant me liking it overall. I wish there was more with the lore: what actually happened in the hotel, etc? I don't mind an ambiguous film if it feels like it's earned the ambiguity of the ending through the remainder of the film. This film is vague throughout and the ending isn't much of a payoff.

Listen, the masses may not like this because it's a carefully paced ("slow paced") project that uses the paranormal to explore grief and mental illness in youth. It's not going to win everybody over. But I think the shots were so carefully constructed, the pace was so respectful to allow the film and characters to breathe, and the horror/drama was balanced incredibly well.

It touches on tropes that appear in many other horror films ("Insidious" "Talk to Me" etc.) but it tells them in their own unique, sensitive story. I found this film INCREDIBLY effective with a good story.

There was a point where the story went a direction I didn't care for, but that is just a matter of my taste vs theirs. It was still an enjoyable ride and I think anyone who enjoys story over jump scares, as well as an exploring the human condition in film may enjoy this.

Scare factor: 5/10 Story: 9/10.