By Romey Norton - October 28, 2024
“You’re not going to stop me becoming a star!”. You need to add the psychological thriller The Haunting of Hollywood to your watch list this Halloween season! Inspired by the true story of Peg Entwistle, who leaped from the Hollywood sign in 1932, the film stars William Mann, Tiffany Downey, Stefanie Infante, and David Lami Friebe.
Through a character-driven narrative of broken dreams, torment, and the haunting belief that fame is everything, the film explores Hollywood’s dark secrets of mental illness and the effects that they have on relationships and overall well-being.
The story follows James as he embarks on his dream life in Hollywood with his best friend and girlfriend. He confronts the ghosts of his past in a desperate journey of self-discovery, only to mirror the tragic passing of his late mother, who died poetically under the iconic Hollywood sign.
The film opens with a sequence of people auditioning, all dreaming of changing their lives by making it big in Hollywood. For one woman (James’ mother) this is a desperation, not just a career. James is inspired and influenced by his mother - wanting to ‘make it big’ for her. Her voice comes through as a creepy whisper as if speaking to James from the beyond. As his mother begins to haunt him and his production set, the film begins to question if it is paranormal or James’ mental state.
The acting is to a high standard - I was fully invested in these characters, and what would happen to them. They give humanised and humble performances. Downey is the most compelling with her dire need to be famous to the determinant of her son. I wanted more of her and her warped relationship with James.
There are times the film's pace is a little slow - the plot isn’t difficult to understand and is predictable. There’s nothing wrong with this, but if you want an action-thriller, this film has a more chilled and relaxed energy.
The Haunting of Hollywood was shot during the pandemic when the streets were clear, thus embracing the guerrilla filming style, aiding its messy and raw vibe. The film then opts for some extreme close-ups (some Blaire Witch influences too) which don’t gel with the original style. This attempt at awkward horror didn’t pay off for me. The film is at its strongest when it focuses on how childhood neglect and trauma can affect you years after the event.
The last twenty minutes have a strong pace and are the most intriguing. A lot is thrown in, as James is experiencing some sort of psychotic episode. With flashbacks to times with his mother, his grief and need to give her life and death meaning drive him to follow in her footsteps.
Overall, Lilia Doytchinova’s feature-length debut The Haunting of Hollywood offers a glimpse into the highs and lows of aspiring actors and dreamers, and how the expectation is not always the reality. Through a clever script, compelling acting, and creative shooting style, The Haunting of Hollywood is a must-watch.
THE HAUNTING OF HOLLYWOOD RELEASE ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS OCTOBER 31
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