The Haunting

Name: The Haunting
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy, Horror
Released: July 23, 1999
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 42
Cast: Alix Koromzay, Bruce Dern, Catherine Zeta Jones, Liam Neeson, Lili Taylor

1999

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 94 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 94 Ratings

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The Haunting

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Movie Details & Credits

DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: July 23, 1999 | TV-14

Starring: Alix Koromzay, Bruce Dern, Catherine Zeta Jones, Liam Neeson, Lili Taylor, Marian Seldes, Michael Cavanaugh, Owen Wilson, Todd Field, Virginia Madsen

Summary: When Eleanor, Theo, and Luke decide to take part in a sleep study at a huge mansion they get more than they bargained for when Dr. Marrow tells them of the house's ghostly past.

Director: Jan de Bont

Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy, Horror

Rating: TV-14

Runtime: 113 min

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Critic Reviews

Steve Persall

Finally, a horror film that doesn't turn on the gore machine nor confuse dread with decibels. One of the most convincing members of the cast is the gloriously creaky old house that sets up the spooky action. [23 July 1999, p.03]

David Sterritt

The Haunting can't quite decide whether it's an out-and-out thriller, a psychological drama, or a systematic demonstration of the latest computer-generated effects. But it should attract big crowds for a weekend or two on the strength of its attractive stars and deliciously spooky setting. Read full review

Janet Maslin

This latest special-effects free-for-all from Jan De Bont is a lavish illustration of how to take a fairly modest black-and-white horror film from 1963 and amplify it so relentlessly that the sight of the flying cow in Twister would not be all that amiss. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

From the final product, not only do I not think Jan De Bont has never seen the original Robert Wise film, I don’t think he’s every actually seen a horror film. Have you ever seen a single computer generated effect that scared you, more than just the unexpected sound of a door slamming behind you? Read full review

James Berardinelli

This film makes the common mistake of showing in great detail things that would be more terrifying if left to the imagination. As a result, the only thing disturbing about The Haunting is how discouraging the end product is. Read full review

Susan Wloszczyna

If you want to see actors hang from metal stairs, here's your funhouse. If you seek chills, stick with the twigs in The Blair Witch Project. [23 July 1999, p.12E]

Empire William Thomas

However you dress it up, laughs where there should be frights is patently piss poor. Read full review

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User Reviews

KuatoLives28

Apr 6, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Liam Neeson is afraid of heights, so his fear, when he was dangling off the flight of steps while trying to save Nell, required no acting.… Expand

12 of 12 users found this helpful120

Ripcord33

Apr 10, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In the behind the scenes feature, Owen Wilson says that during the scene where he is beating the painting with a candlestick, a piece of it came off and hit him in the face. He had to get stitches.… Expand

9 of 9 users found this helpful90

Catenary44

Jun 7, 2021

$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Dysphoric22

May 13, 2021

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0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Xenophobe114

Jun 24, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Underrated classic

This is one of the first horror films I ever watched and in my opinion one of the best. The cherubs faces imprinted into my brain since I was 11. The sets, architecture and attention to detail are incredible.

The production value is second to none especially of a film from this era. This type of film has an Erie hand unsettling feel and it's a different class compared to the copy and paste films of today. The whole thing has a very Del Toro esque feel which pre dates many of his films.

This film is a childhood classic and a very good horror movie. Watching as an adult it may not be as scary but can be appreciated for what it is and what it captured for me as a child… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

Pheromone

Apr 7, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The creaks and moans heard throughout the house were recorded and played during filming in order to get a more natural expression of fear out of the actors.… Expand

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

MickeyFinn

Aug 21, 2023

Why being so nice to this movie.. it's a pure waste of time. And money. Stellar cast, good cgi, set, everything. Except their source material for ghosts is Ghostbusters. And Beetlejuice. Only it's not a comedy. Some big decision making peeps in there are psychopaths or retards, prollyWhy being so nice to this movie.. it's a pure waste of time. And money. Stellar cast, good cgi, set, everything. Except their source material for ghosts is Ghostbusters. And Beetlejuice. Only it's not a comedy. Some big decision making peeps in there are psychopaths or retards, prolly loaded, but not knowing comedy from horror, right from wrong, what's entertainment for other people etc Crappy to watch overall… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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