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Cast: Juan Riedinger (Narcos), Aaron Massey (Refuge from Storm), Megan Hensley (The Crazies), Al Snow (The Witches of Oz), Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood) and Kristina Page (Penny Dreadful).
Director: Jessica Sonneborn
In the late 1890s, Davenport House was a famously successful brothel, ruled with an iron fist by an owner notorious for his cruelty and insatiable greed. Virtually imprisoned inside these walls, young Alice was forced to endure years of brutality and sexual slavery – until she took murderous revenge on her captors and tragically ended her own life. More than a century later, the latest Davenport heir is hosting a decadent bash in the newly renovated mansion – complete with drugs, prostitutes and just one rule: anything goes. But the “fun” has barely begun when strange, terrifying things begin to happen. Suddenly, the legend of Alice’s tormented ghost proves to be very real as the guests discover firsthand that vengeance never rests in peace!
"The Haunting of Alice D" takes place in 1898 and in the present day, it tells the story of two sisters who were forced into prostitution in the late 1890's by a ruthless and perverted owner of a successful brothel known as the Davenport House. The story focuses on the youngest sister, Alice who endured years of sexual abuse until one day she could not take anymore. Fast forward to present day and we meet Joe, a descendant of Sir Davenport and his newly remodeled Davenport House. Joe is very much like his great-grandfather in that he to looks at women in an objective way. When he decides to throw a party with a few buddies, some prostitutes and drugs and alcohol things quickly go from bad to worse as the ghost of Alice seeks revenge for what was done to her.
The thing I liked the most about the film was how it went back and forth from the late 1800's to present day to tell its story. I really liked the look of the 1800's with the costumes and all. I was really looking forward to seeing this film mainly because of the quotes I read on the box art but I have to warn other if you go by them and expect an all out blood fest here you may end being disappointed because this is more a story and character driven horror film with a little blood at the very end. Now do not get me wrong her I really enjoyed the film and I thought it was well written and extremely well acted but as far as having scenes of horror that doesn't happen till the end.
I did like the way the film took its time setting the story up and introducing us to all the characters and the way it used some subtle yet very effective effects to create a creepy atmosphere full of tension and suspense. Another thing that made the movie so good was the cast which includes, Juan Riedinger (Narcos), Aaron Massey (Refuge from Storm), Megan Hensley (The Crazies), Al Snow (The Witches of Oz), the legendary Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood) and Kristina Page (Penny Dreadful).
Production wise the film looks and sounds fantastic and the soundtrack does a great job creating a lot of the atmosphere needed. "The Haunting of Alice D" is not a gore fest but it is an intelligent and creepy ghost story that will keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat the entire time. Available now on DVD, you can order it HERE. Director, Jessica Sonneborn is no stranger to film making, she has done it all from action, producing, writing and now she can add director to her long resume. I am looking forward to seeing what she does next but until then this is a terrific directorial debut that I highly recommend to all fans of horror.
Released by Image Entertainment
**** Out Of *****