"HAUNT SEASON" (2024) Starts October Off With Extreme Haunts And Slashers (REVIEW)

Do you remember your first haunted house? Immersed in darkness and fog when you step inside, waiting for something or someone to poke around a corner and scare you, the various rooms where someone is seemingly being “tortured”, and let’s not forget the room filled with clowns. It’s a right of passage to try at least once, even if it’s not really your thing. 

We never gave much thought to the staff who choose to work at places like this, getting paid to scare the pants off people. You have to admit, it does sound fun, especially if you have a taste for theater or even makeup effects. One could easily imagine the work relationships that would grow, just like any other workplace. The friendships, the hookups, the flirts, and the drama. Throw in an actual serial killer who can hide in plain sight amongst the staff, and now you have an interesting situation, which is precisely what you get with Haunt Season.

The story revolves around Matilda, an aspiring actress who applies to the Haunt. As she delves into the haunt entertainment world, a masked maniac begins targeting the cast, replicating their staged injuries in a gruesome reality. As chaos ensues and employees start to disappear, Matilda and her newfound friends must find a way to survive All Hallow’s Eve.

 The fun kicks off right in the beginning and has a decent pace of kills throughout the story. It gives an “I Know What You Did Last Summer” vibe, where the killer seems to be everywhere, and once you're marked, there is no escape, no matter how much you run. The few chase scenes keep the viewer on edge a bit as you root for the victims to make it. Before the “haunt crew” notices the danger they are in, it’s fun to watch them get ready for the evening, utilizing different props and makeup effects, sure to excite anyone who loves to dress up, whether it’s cosplay at conventions or just an annual costume for Halloween. Add on some filler scenes showcasing Halloween lawn decor, and the mood is set, getting the audience excited to start the spooky season. 

The interaction between the crew accepting the new girl ends up being sweet, as a small group takes her under their wing, and discusses topics that are relatable and hold value. It was great character development as the danger began circling in on the victims, raising concern for the viewer on who lives and who dies.

Not many horror films are without flaws, and Haunt Season is no exception. If you are looking for a gore fest, you may be slightly disappointed, as a majority of the kills are just off-camera, which feels like a missed opportunity here, given the set design the film is based on. As the killer is constantly walking amongst the main characters, it does raise questions on how exactly they would stay unnoticed, moving and hiding the bodies so no one notices the danger they are in until it’s too late. The killer is also revealed pretty early in the film, which left me asking where could the story possibly go from here. The end we get feels somewhat rushed and chaotic, leaving some actions unanswered. 

All in all, Haunt Season is worth your time. The story brought me back to my teenage years, as it reminded me of an R.L. Stine “Fear Street” book.  It’s a perfect film to kick off the Halloween season and set the vibe. It’s a fun group watch, and even worthy of a background film to play your favorite spooky playlist over if you host your own Halloween party. Be sure to check this one out!

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