When people ask me for truly terrifying horror recommendations, Hell House LLC is always at the top of my list. I went into the film blind and was surprised by how clever and effective the scares are. Soon after, I binged the two sequels, and the trilogy is now a Halloween-time tradition. The newest film in the franchise, Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor, is a prequel that explores the mysterious forces behind the events at The Abaddon Hotel.
Like the trilogy, Origins is a found footage film. It covers two timelines: a group of modern-day amateur sleuths researching the Carmichael Manor and the family that lived there in the 1980s. The investigators seek to discover what happened to the family and quickly make connections to the hotel.
Hell House LLC Origins has some genuinely creepy moments but struggles to keep the momentum going. Some of the scarier scenes go on for too long or focus too much on the reactions of the investigators. Fortunately for fans of the franchise’s iconic and terrifying clowns, they play a significant role. It is, however, too much of a good thing at times. The mere sight of their faces is enough to send chills up your spine, but it works best when an aura of mystery surrounds them.
The acting across the board is decent and on par with the previous films. Writer-director Stephen Cognetti effectively used the large estate where the filming took place. Its multiple levels, twisting hallways, and wooded acres provide opportunities for plenty of scares. While the house and surrounding area seem expansive, the cinematography and lighting make the outside world seem far away, and the house feels like a personal prison. Cognetti consistently excels in making the most of a single location.
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The Hell House LLC franchise is like a giant onion, with subsequent installments peeling back layers. Cognetti, the franchise’s creator, has added more to the lore than anyone could have predicted. The prequel is required viewing for fans who want the whole picture. For those new to the series, I would recommend going in order of release. This will make the fourth film a more enjoyable watch as you’ll likely be more invested in the history.
While Hell House LLC Origins will not be as memorable as the first two films, it is an entertaining Halloween-time (or anytime) watch. To get the most scares, go in with the lights turned off and the sound turned up. The film will premiere exclusively on Shudder on October 30th.
