It's a grand idea. Devastated by the death of her husband and child, the aged Sarah Winchester lives in relative isolation. Her massive inheritance -- which she sees as blood money for the countless lives taken by the weapons her family produces -- she uses to catch and eventually liberate the souls of those spirits returned to haunt her. It's all much more exciting because it's based on a true story, the very real, very haunted Winchester mansion in San Jose. And the leading lady is played by Helen Mirren. What could go wrong?
Lots, apparently. While it's by no means the worst horror movie in recent memory, it cannot help but disappoint at nearly every turn. Derivative and dull, the movie lurches through jump scare after jump scare, an interesting technique that might have worked had the film not relied upon them to be a horror movie. Besides these genuinely scary moments, the plot is flat and dull, with nothing unnerving except the constant hammering in the always-under-construction house. So many ghosts appear that I wondered more than once if the idea was to turn this film into a franchise. More often than not, it felt like we were being introduced to varied, fascinating ghostly characters that will reappear in sequels, a sort of Ghost Whisperer franchise.
But I hope not. The best part of the film -- not Mirren or even Jason Clarke, who do what they can with a terribly written screenplay -- is the house itself. Partly filmed in the actual Winchester Mystery House and partly on soundstages, the picture is at its best when it pans, tracks, or hovers over any part of the fabulous house. The thick atmosphere inside is the stuff of a production designer's dreams, and the hardwood interiors, rich fabrics, and mazelike design are nothing if not stunning to behold. Unfortunately, the film also does not do the house justice, relying on a small handful of "iconic" sets for the action instead of actively exploring the interior that would be creepy if it weren't haunted.
It all feels like missed opportunities for something really dynamic. I can applaud the anti-gun premise and message all I want, but it rings hollow in a film that similarly echoes back ghostly whispers of what could have been.
IMDb: Winchester
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