The Haunting in Connecticut (PG-13)

“The Haunting in Connecticut,” (or as it should have been called, ‘Plagiarism of The Shining’) is a 2009 horror/thriller movie directed by Peter Cornwell and featuring the tag line ‘Some things cannot be explained’ which is about as original as saying ‘Boo!  It’s a scary movie!’

The film is billed as being based on a true story, though this is only a ruse to add to its supposed scariness (in the mold of “Cloverfield” or “The Blair Witch Project”) and anyone possessing an education higher than the second grade should be able to quickly identify that the only truth to the movie is that the producers had a desire to make a quick buck.

The story begins in June of 1987.  Sarah Campbell (Virginia Madsen) is shuttling her cancer-stricken teenage son Matt (Kyle Gallner) from the hospital where he has begun a series of new treatments.  The normally 4-hour ride takes twice as long as Sarah has to constantly pull over so Matt can be sick and as a result, the family decides it would be prudent to rent a house in Connecticut that is close to the hospital for the duration of his illness.  Sarah finds a large place that is affordable and she wonders what the catch is.  “The house has a bit of a history,” says the owner.  Sarah and Matt move in, along with Matt’s younger brother Billy and cousins Wendy (the gorgeous Amanda Crew) and Mary.  Sarah’s husband Peter (Martin Donovan) will spend weekends at the house as his job will keep him near the everyday home during the week.

From the very first night, Matt begins to experience strange things – visions, hallucinations, and strange noises – which seem to plague only him causing Sarah, and the viewer, to question if the sightings are real or just the effects of the new drug he is on.

Matt chooses to sleep in the basement, or as he tells his mother, it chose him.  As the terrifying visions continue, Matt eventually discovers that the house is actually a former mortuary with a horrible past.  Matt and Wendy discover old photos from the house depicting a séance and mourning portraits (actual staged images of people after they died – why people ever did this is beyond explanation).  At the hospital, Matt befriends a fellow patient, Reverend Nicholas Popescu (Elias Koteas – a clone of Robert DeNiro if ever there were one) who he confides in about the events happening at the house.

Popescu tries to help Matt discover the meaning behind what is happening.  But as the other members of the Campbell family begin to have supernatural experiences of their own, they realize it is more than just a side effect of the drugs.

The plot and effects seem to borrow numerous elements from some very famous horror movies.  Matt discovers that the highway leading up to the house was built on an old burial ground which prompted the developers to move the bodies (“Poltergeist“). The house itself contains post-mortem photos and evidence of a séance (“The Others”).  Peter is a recovering alcoholic (ala Jack Torrance) and in one scene comes home drunk and angry, screaming and ranting about in a way you’ll half expect him to grab an axe and yell ‘Here’s Johnny!’  Even the name of Matt’s cousin, Wendy, is the same name as the lead female character in “The Shining” and house itself is a borderline mimic of The Overlook Hotel.

“The Haunting in Connecticut” does have some scary scenes that will make you jump, but has just as many that are so stomach turning you’ll avert your gaze more out of disgust than fear.  Overall, it’s more of a typical horror film than anything special.

– by Matt Christopher