The Haunted (1991)

 

This is a 1991 TV horror film directed by Robert Mandel, and starring Sally Kirkland, Jeffrey DeMunn and Louise Letham. 

The opening scene is set in the mid 1950's as a flashback of Janet Smurl remembering when it was Halloween and she went out trick or treating as a kid, who came upon a haunted house and saw something that terrified her. Then the film jumped decades after to Janet being a married mother with very small kids at the time. Her family move into a nice large house that was the same place Janet screamed at as a kid, shown in the opening scene. They did DIY jobs on it but this caused something angry and paranormal to wake up. And so the nightmares begin.

Sally Kirkland plays Janet Smurl who did many of her own stunts and she was awarded a Golden Globe. A couple who played a couple of investigators also reappeared in other films to do exactly the same in "Conjuring" and one of "Amityville" films. This film was loosely based on a true story. There are some decent special effects for the time, and gives some chills. However, it had too many mistakes and goofs. Made in only 22 days, it felt and looked like a rushed story. Some of the scenes were eerie and best not to watch this in the dark.

I rate this a 7/10.

Blood Strawberry