Harland Manor is a 2021 American horror film about a team of paranormal investigators documenting the titular residence. Unfortunately, they find themselves hunted by the malevolent ghosts that still dwell there.
Directed by Steven R. Monroe (The Exorcism of Molly Hartley; Grave Halloween; Mongolian Death Worm; Wyvern; Sasquatch Mountain; It Waits) from a screenplay co-written with John Thaddeus. Produced by Stan Spry and Eric Scott Woods. Executive produced by Anthony Fankhauser and Ira Pincus.
The Cartel Pictures-Tubi Original co-production stars Jeremy Walmsley, Dion Johnstone, Camille Sullivan, Summer H. Howell, Daina Leitold and Josh Strait.
Our review:
There are countless paranormal investigators wandering around old buildings movies, particularly of the found-footage variety, and frankly, yet another one seemed to be a dubious proposition. Most potential viewers will immediately assume ‘been there, seen that’ beforehand.
Thankfully, Harland Manor is a slightly more agreeable take on a subgenre that’s been flogged to death because the historical backstory is detailed and gruesome (while also being very topical with its themes of a molesting male figure and abortion issues, which is also tied in with a modern miscarriage) and none of the protagonists is the annoying type that usually populates these movies. Two of them are also involved in an awkward relationship so there’s an added level of engagement and intensity. Plus, the score by Contorted Minds is pretty effective.
And while it offers nothing new in its generic presentation, even that is better than many others of its ilk, so the running time doesn’t drag as it does in so many similar movies, including the new Paranormal Activity reboot which takes an eternity to get going.
Despite the minor positives, there’s an important downside that is pretty important in a horror movie: despite some attempts at jump scares and occasionally creepy imagery, none of Harland Manor is actually even the least bit scary. Still, it’s a passable time-waster for fans of this type of paranormal pap. Just don’t expect anything that’ll make you want to keep the lights on at bedtime.
Adrian J Smith, MOVIES & MANIA
Trailer:
