Hauntology (2024)

By rtsatre

Hauntology is somewhat difficult to categorize, this anthology less of a pure horror film and more a collection of spooky stories that explore the things that haunt us. Definitely more "Let's Scare Jessica to Death" or "Carnival of Souls", than it is "Terrifier" or "Nightmare on Elm Street". Writer-Director Parker Brennon directs all segments, creating a film that pays homage to several classic sub-genres, making Hauntology a tapestry of horror, supernatural scifi, Giallo slasher, monster movie, and psychological tension across it's stories. The thread binding Hauntology's narrative fabric together is the isolation, fear, and "otherness" experienced in queer, BIPOC, and feminine perspectives, subtly explored by Brennon and an ensemble cast that is particularly impressive for this small independent film. Those haunting elements of the film are further invoked by the film's intentional pace and atmospheric photography, perfectly matched by a score that manages to somehow sound both foreboding and eerily cheerful. There are also a lot of cool easter eggs throughout that probably make rewatches worth while.