The Haunting Lodge (2023) by Vera and Kendall Whelpton

Director: Vera Whelpton, Kendall Whelpton

Year: 2023

Country: USA

Alternate Titles: N/A

Genre: Supernatural

Plot:

Asked to visit a hunting lodge, a pair of paranormal researchers arrive at the location and proceed to their tactics of looking for the paranormal, soon sending themselves on a dangerous quest with a bring they never expected to encounter.

Review:

This wasn’t too bad for what it is. The core concept of this one focusing on the backstory of the location as the various sightings and experiences work perfectly to set up the location for the investigation that takes place. Filled with the typical kind of interactions and experiences taking place with their cameras and equipment, it all leads to somewhat more chilling and energetic encounters made all the better with the panicked found-footage format that allows this to get pretty close and personal to the hauntings.

However, that doesn’t change the fact that this one is severely dull for the vast majority of its running time. While the build-up of these events isn’t so bad, there’s still a lot of the film amounting to nothing more than people reacting to strange beeps or noises from their devices rather than featuring anything that genuinely showcases proof of the supernatural that they’re seeking. The need to feature all the useless interviews on the town’s history does this no favors and it all comes together into a cheap, somewhat bland experience.

Overview: **/5

Interesting enough for what it is but not much more than that, this is generally watchable if disposable found-footage mockumentary that doesn’t much much use beyond fans that appreciate or enjoy this type of effort. For pretty much anyone else, this is not really worth the risk and should be taken with extreme caution beyond a curiosity piece.