Haunting of the Innocent

Haunting of the Innocent from 2014 is a horror movie directed by Matt Hish, known for his works in Retina and Engineer. The movie stars a talented cast with Rib Hillis playing the lead role as Tom, Jessica Morris as Megan, Hannah Cowley as Abby and the rest of the supporting cast.

The story revolves around Tom, who after getting fired from his job, decides to move his family to a remote coastal town, hoping for a peaceful life. Soon enough, he rents an old mansion, which unbeknownst to him, has a dark history. The ghostly presence of a little girl haunts the house, and weird noises in the middle of the night add to their fear.

Tom and Megan's relationship is already on the rocks, and the haunted mansion doesn't help their situation. Their daughter, Abby, becomes friends with the ghostly apparition of a little girl, and as things start to get out of control, the family begins to fear for their lives. They turn to a local historian who learns about the mansion's history, and as they unravel the mystery, they begin to realize how deep-seated the problem is.

The storyline of Haunting of the Innocent is a classic haunted house trope, and audiences will find familiar elements from horror movies like The Amityville Horror and The Conjuring. However, the movie did manage to bring a certain level of uniqueness to the plot by giving the story a twist that audiences will appreciate.

The movie's pacing is decent enough, and it manages to keep the viewers engaged throughout the runtime. The plot development is slow in some areas, but the climax makes up for it, as it brings everything together in a satisfactory manner. The director used jump-scares with a great effect in a few scenes that will make audiences jump out of their seats.

The cast does an excellent job of portraying their characters, and their performances keep the movie interesting. Rib Hillis, who plays Tom, convincingly portrays the character's descent into despair as he struggles to protect his family. Jessica Morris’ portrayal of Megan brings a much-needed sympathy to the movie. The child actor, Hannah Cowley, who plays Abby, does a commendable job of carrying the weight of the movie on her shoulders.

The movie's main strength lies in its sound design, which is a standout feature. The creepy and atypical sound of the old house sets up the perfect environment for the horror genre. In horror movies, sound plays a crucial role in creating the perfect atmosphere, and Haunting of the Innocent excels in this aspect.

Another noteworthy feature of the movie is its cinematography. The visuals of the coastal town combined with the spooky mansion provide a perfect backdrop for the movie. The mansion's interiors, when combined with the haunting sound design, provide a sense of dread throughout the movie.

In conclusion, Haunting of the Innocent is a well-made horror movie that will keep viewers entertained. While the plot of the movie is not groundbreaking, it does have a unique twist that audiences will appreciate. The sound design and cinematography are the movie's highlights, along with the performances of the cast. For horror fans looking for a classic haunted house thriller with a touch of uniqueness, Haunting of the Innocent is a movie they shouldn't miss.