Get ready for a quick indie horror cocktail: Take DARK RIDE, mix it with THE ORPHANAGE, add a splash of HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL and what do you get? The forthcoming flick entitled DARK HOUSE, which is currently in pre-production. I normally don’t have issues with movies “borrowing” themes from previous pictures as long as it’s for the sake of delivering something creatively appealing (and frightening). Let’s visit the plot:
Traumatized by an terrifying event in her youth, Claire Thompson tries to exorcise her demons by revisiting the old house where a terrible children’s massacre took place. Now a haunted house attraction set up by impresario WALSTON REY, the former foster home run by the evil MISS DARRODE is set to open for the press and Walston recruits Claire and several of her fellow acting class students to perform as part of the show. Unfortunately, a series of horrible murders happen at the haunted house, generating from either the malevolent spirit of the departed Miss Darrode, or by Claire herself…
“Attraction” horror flicks always seem to sit well with me from THE FUNHOUSE to the previously mentioned DARK RIDE. I just enjoy seeing people looking for fun thrills and winding up getting way more than they bargained for. And the premise for DARK HOUSE does sound like an interesting “horror cocktail”. Here’s hoping director Darin Scott (who co-wrote the script with Kerry Douglas Dye) has some fresh, twisted tricks up his sleeve.
No word yet on a release date, but filming is set to begin in Los Angeles this month. I’ll give you more on this HOUSE as I hear it.