B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Justin Simien’s Haunted Mansion into the ol’ VCR.

Okay, did I accidentally plan the most grief-heavy double feature and see both this and Talk to Me on the same day? Yes. And honestly, Haunted Mansion is the foil to Talk to Me. 

I won’t spoil the story for any of you, but there are two sides to the coin of grief, and Haunted Mansion takes a much healthier approach. I digress. 

This won’t be a long review, but I felt like Haunted Mansion deserved a dedicated review outside of Bite-Sized Sundays, as it was unexpectedly touching and made me tear up. 

Queen Amidala, I love your work! 

Grief is a hell of a thing, and it impacts all of us differently. The common factor is that at the end of the day, we all must learn to cope. Our hero, Ben Matthias (LaKeith Stanfield), must learn how to embrace life again after a devastating loss. Enter Gabbie (Rosario Dawson), her son Travis (Chase Dillion), Father Kent (Owen Wilson), Harriet (Tiffany Haddish), Bruce (Danny DeVito), and… 999 ghosts. Ben is ultimately put to the test and must decide whether to relive (or re-un-live the past) or move forward. Jamie Lee Curtis is there, too. 

Haunted Mansion is funny, charming, and touching, particularly in its explanation of “ghost winks.” Harriet, our loveable and eccentric medium, explains to Ben that if our loved ones are at peace and have fully passed on, they send us signs from the beyond called “ghost winks.” 

Spoiler: I bawled. 

Additionally, Dan Levy and Winona Ryder’s cameos truly steal the show, where Winona Ryder may or may not have alluded to being into BDSM (No, this isn’t a bit, but I’ve heard Stranger Things in my life 🥴)? 

I wonder if Jared Leto uses the same monologues from Haunted Mansion when trying to get people to join his cult.  

At its core, Haunted Mansion is a beautiful illustration of grief disguised as a gateway horror movie. Kids will love this movie, but it’ll be more impactful to adults. If you’ve ever lost a loved one, Ben’s plight will resonate with you. 

My only complaint with Haunted Mansion is that I wish there was more insight into the stories of the ghosts taking up residence within its walls, much like Thir13en Ghosts. Here’s hoping both eventually get a series, where the cast and crew involved are paid what they deserve 🤞

Welcome, foolish mortals. You’re in for one hell of a ride.