The Haunted Mansion (2023)

Haunted Mansion works because it understands what a film based on a theme-park attraction should be. I don't expect the Disney version to compete with the bleakest haunted-house horror movies. I want an entertaining story, some good supernatural atmosphere, characters I enjoy spending time with, and enough familiar details to make the connection to the ride worthwhile. I thought this version delivered all of that.

The setting does a lot of work. I love New Orleans, and I liked how much personality that location gives the movie. The house itself is filled with touches fans of the attraction will recognize. There are visual references and small details that don't necessarily have to be explained to move the story forward. They're just fun to notice. I enjoyed the feeling that the filmmakers actually cared about what people love about the ride.

The cast also makes a big difference. Danny DeVito is a highlight, and the ensemble has enough chemistry to carry both the comedy and the supernatural adventure. The humor doesn't completely erase the scary side of the story. There are moments designed to make viewers jump, particularly younger viewers or people who don't watch much horror. That balance seems right for this material.

What surprised me was that there is an emotional thread underneath the ghostly chaos. The movie has things to say about loss and connection, and I thought those moments gave the adventure a little more weight. They keep the film from feeling like a collection of ride references and computer-generated ghosts stitched together.

This isn't going to challenge what experienced horror fans consider frightening, and it isn't trying to reinvent the haunted-house story. I don't think either of those things is a weakness. It's a good-looking, funny, occasionally spooky film with enough heart to make the characters matter. For someone who loves the attraction or simply wants a fun Halloween movie, Haunted Mansion is an easy recommendation. I'd watch it again, and it makes me want to get back on the ride.

I love Haunted Mansion, and I think part of the reason is that it feels like the ride I love turned into a real adventure. There are so many familiar things scattered throughout the movie that I keep wanting to point at the screen. I recognize a little detail and immediately start thinking about going back to the park to look for it. That makes watching this one fun for me before we even get to the scary parts.

I also love the cast. Danny DeVito is hilarious, and I enjoyed the way the different personalities come together to deal with the ghosts. The movie has a good sense of humor without turning every moment into a joke. I get to laugh, then something creepy happens, and before long I'm laughing again. That is pretty much my ideal kind of spooky movie.

And yes, there are actual scares. I remember jumping during this movie, and I still think some of the scenes are creepy even after knowing what's coming. I like horror where I can get frightened without feeling like I need to sit in a brightly lit room for the rest of the evening. Haunted Mansion gives me some of that haunted-house feeling without becoming completely miserable.

What I didn't expect the first time was how much emotion there would be. The movie has some sweet and sad moments, too, and I thought they worked. I can enjoy a funny ghost movie and still care about what happens to the people in it. In fact, it makes the film better when I do. This one got me a little teary-eyed in places, which I wasn't expecting from a movie inspired by a Disney ride.

I also liked the New Orleans atmosphere. Between the city, the beautiful house, the ghosts, and all the familiar references, it has a personality I really enjoy. I can see myself watching it around Halloween, and I would happily put it on with someone who isn't a big horror fan. It is spooky, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt, which is just what I want.