Haunter, 2013.
Directed by Vincenzo Natali.
Starring Abigail Breslin, Sarah Manninen, David Hewlett, Stephen McHattie, Michelle Nolden, and Peter Outerbridge.
SYNOPSIS:
The ghost of a teenager who died years ago reaches out to the land of the living in order to save someone from suffering her same fate.
From the writer and director of Splice comes Haunter, which plays a lot like a reverse ghost story version of Groundhog Day.
Lisa (Zombieland’s Abigail Breslin) wakes up one morning and goes about her daily routine, but seemingly knows what is about to happen as if she has lived the day before. Well, it turns out she is. Every morning for Lisa is the day before her 16th birthday, but none of her family seems to notice that they are stuck in the same loop. But throughout the house she hears noises as if from another world as she attempts to find out how to escape this nightmare scenario.
Haunter plays its hand quite early with a few of its twists but it constantly plays with its audience’s expectations with a lot of success. Each new mystery reveal brings about a whole new set of questions and you’ll find always guessing what’s going to happen next up until the film’s climax. It makes for a brilliant watch as you never know where the film is taking you.
While the story is incredibly intriguing, its cast all do an outstanding job with Breslin shining as the confused and inquisitive Lisa. She achieves the balance of innocent and heroic badass perfectly and is thoroughly convincing in the role. Her parents and brother also do an amazing job and the sinister Stephen McHattie is terrifying as the mysterious Pale Man. Not only does he look utterly creepy, but his monotone dialogue delivery adds to what is already an imposing presence.
It wouldn’t be fair to say that Haunter isn’t “scary” as it never plays up to the now standard ghost story conventions or jump scares, but it does play with its audience’s minds and Vincenzo Natali creates an uncomfortable atmosphere that will keep you on the edge of your seat. His shot choices and camera effects rival some of the best and the film never lets the mystery get away from itself to keep the attention of the viewer. It is a tough balance, but Natali doesn’t miss a beat.
With The Conjuring and Mama stealing the ghost story spotlight this year, Haunter stands head and shoulders over the rest of the competition. It’s unnerving and gripping with a terrific central performance and a captivating antagonist. It won’t have you running for the exits in fright, but it will keep you guessing again and again.
Plus, it sets its 1980s setting not by showing you a title card, but by Pac-Man on the Atari 2600 and a Siouxsie and the Banshee’s t-shirt. That’s kind of genius right?
Originally published August 25, 2013. Updated November 7, 2019.
