A Southern Haunting (2023) User Reviews

Where and How it Went Horribly Wrong...

[luminosischool · 3/10 · 30 September 2023]

There are two kinds of reviews for this movie.

A. Unearned, glowing reviews clearly written by friends, family, or maybe even AI.

B. Rants written by those that paid to watch the movie and were disappointed.

I saw this on STARZ during a free preview, so here's my 100% unbiased opinion:

Anyone that watches tons of film, especially horror, or knows anything about making them will see how obvious it is that this outcome is a production issue not a creative one. The acting (by *almost* all) was decent to great. I wouldn't say excellent for anyone, but Lula and the girl from CBS's Equalizer really tried. She's the only actor I recognize and, based on her age here, I'd say this movie was filmed at least 4-5 years ago. My theory is that it got abandoned for awhile (due to covid??) and was edited by a couple of uninvested freelancers when it was picked back up again. On top of that, someone told them to turn a 2+ hr character-centered horror into a 90m trope-reliant horror, and that never should have happened.

Every single scene was cut to BITS, leading the movie to look like the writing was incoherent. The first scene where this was obvious was when the neighbor and his son were hunting. They appeared out of nowhere, complaining about things that never happened. I immediately knew at least 3 mins were missing from there.

Throughout the movie, I had so many questions about why there was no character development happening, but the minute the family would start bringing something up, the scene would cut to the next. The movie cut so fast from scene to scene that it gave me a stress headache. The poor redhead sister clearly had some importance to the final scenes, but was almost completely removed from the movie.

Let's not even get on the mist...whoever did the cgi for this film, did them dirty. And I'm positive that there were originally some romantic scenes from the implied glances (and the missing time when they were in his bedroom) that would have made his betrayal sting a bit more.

I would have loved to see this same movie in the hands of Jordan Peele (and the big budgets that follow him). The actors and *full* plot would have certainly shined.

Not Authentic At All

[briecurry-07954 · 3/10 · 19 September 2023]

I didn't even make it past 30 minutes from the beginning of the film.. realizing that the characters seemed to speak as if they were NOT just freed. Watching a movie like this from such a historical time, I would expect the actors to embody the "slave mentality", the way they would talk, etc.. I don't know any GOOD movie with slaves from the 1800s that looks like this. The way they talk throws me for a loop alone. It's discouraging to watch, nevermind the storyline.. makes it painful to watch as it just seems...idk.. fake. Django ain't even as old as the movie Roots and that movie did a great job at displaying authenticity. And the lil black girl picking up the rock to a white man who had her brother by the neck with his gun had me thrown too.. what the hell was she gon do with that rock to a gun?! That's like bringing a knife to a gunfight and even back in these times, I'd think former slaves would know that much. This is only part 1 of my review. Let me get through the rest of this movie and see if I can find more compelling aspects about this here acting because right now, it looks terrible.

Slow paced and monotonous...

[paul_haakonsen · 4/10 · 1 October 2023]

Right, well as I sat down to watch this 2023 horror movie, it was with the release title of "A Southern Haunting", so I figured that I would be in for a ghost movie. However, the title of this movie from writer and directors M. J. Anderson and T. Huff is 40, and that is also what was shown on the screen, during the title sequence of the movie. So the title "A Southern Haunting" was rather misguiding.

The storyline in "40" was somewhat dull and slow paced. It wasn't a particularly interesting storyline, though it was semi-watchable for what it turned out to be. However, I was expecting more of an ordinary haunting movie, instead I was treated to a slow paced tale of former slaves gaining their freedom, but come to acquire some cursed lands. Sure, it sounds interesting enough, but writers and directors M. J. Anderson and T. Huff just never kicked the movie up into any gear.

I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie, but given the circumstances of the weak script, then the actors and actresses actually fared well enough.

Visually, then you're not in for anything spectacular. There were a little bit of special effects throughout the course of the 94 minutes that the movie ran for, but nothing noteworthy or memorable.

All in all, the movie is a rather forgettable movie, and not one I would recommend for horror fans to rush out and get to watch.

My rating of "40" lands on a generous four out of ten stars.

Not a thriller nor a horror movie

[brianstclair-65813 · 1/10 · 6 July 2023]

Not a thriller nor a horror movie. I don't think the other reviews are for this movie. Nothing in those other reviews happened in this movie. Looks like it was shot on a phone. I think they just created as much of a story as they could and then started filming. I hate to bash what the crew and actors did but this is not worth the time we took to see it. We kept waiting for it to make sense but it just never gets there. Since it's based around the historical and famous underground railroad from civil war times, I thought it might have some redeeming qualities, but it just doesn't. It struggles with acting, lighting, story, and overall plot.

Wish I would have read all of the reviews

[denisescott-49123 · 2/10 · 17 July 2023]

I am so upset that we just spent $6.99 to watch this movie, as it was rated 8+ stars out of 10. WHAT? On THIS movie??? I think not. The only reason I gave it two stars instead of one is because it looks like some of the actors really tried. It was completely disjointed, undeveloped and the effects look like something from 1980's Tales from the Dark Side or some '80's made-for-TV movie or mini-series. I really tried to give it a chance, but I think the real kicker was with the Malachi character who came in looking like Ben Afleck and Drunk Thor's love child, but without the "talent" or "enthusiasm" (and I'm a fan of Drunk Thor). Where did they get the costuming for that guy? And did the director tell the actor, "Hey- just go in there and do stuff..."? After that I just gave up. Sadly, I feel as if I have spent more time and consideration on this review than the writers spent on the script. Perhaps if I had seen a 4.5 out of 10 stars rating on this movie, I would have not been so ridiculously disappointed.

Seriously?!

[yrjrvh · 1/10 · 6 August 2023]

Horrible! Not scary whatsoever.. I am not sure how it was able to get a 7.9. The special effects were totally lacking. The only effects is that of some black mist lurking around. No jump scares at all! The skeletons in the well were laughable. The acting was not great at all, there was no real connection between characters. I wonder what the budget was to make this film., because it didn't look like they put a lot into it. They could have done a lot more with this if they tried, it had a good baseline for something really scary. But they totally missed the mark. The film industry are just not making good scary movies anymore! It's too bad really!

Boting

[drgnfly036-900-597223 · 2/10 · 9 September 2023]

Nothing about this movie was thrilling. There were so many things that made no sense. I feel like the writers were stoned 15 year olds who were like let's add all of these things and when someone said "those don't make sense" they all laughed and said "exactly." Waste of time. I expected much more and feel like it could have been done so much better. The story could have had so much more to it. The actors were pretty good though. I will give it that. No idea where the people rating it a 10 we're watching and I wish I could have seen it through their eyes.

Won't watch again and I don't recommend to anyone wanting a thriller or horror movie.

Lazy writing

[myrlja · 1/10 · 29 September 2023]

Actors did their best with a bad script. I forced myself to finish. I kept waiting for the horror got to the end and realized it was the writer writing.

Has the writer every seen a horror movie or read a horror book. Does the writer not know in order for a land to be cursed something more horrible then life had to have happened on it.

What could more horrible than human slavery?

Spoilers: What happened to the other body in the well? Was it a vengeful spirit, a loving spirit or a lost soul?

Most spirits hang around because they have unfinished business, to watch over love ones or they don't know they are dead.

She became free when she died.

She ran from slavery and left her family behind. And I sure she knew she died when ,from the looks of her body, she died of dehydration, starvation and/or exposure.

Terrible

[wcyxvqnh · 2/10 · 11 September 2023]

The movie was awful. I expected so much more. I wish I would have read the reviews before I wasted my time. The actors did a great job. I'm concerned with whomever wrote the story line, and how they thought this was a good story. It made no sense.. the youngest son being murdered was sick and cruel, it made no sense. That part was completely unnecessary and was never revisited. I expected a horror movie, something that kept me on the edge of my seat, instead I was faced with some evil black mist that possessed the actors and made them evaporate. Whoever wrote this story line, should be ashamed of themselves. I'm not sure how the reviews are so high.. I'm being generous rating this film with two stars.

Literal Worst

[franchescaprice · 1/10 · 9 October 2023]

So it's super obvious two white dudes wrote and directed this, which I don't think should've been allowed. Their "authenticity" and "knowledge" when it comes to racism and slavery feels like it was ripped from a wikihow article or an american history class. Terrible. Any review giving it higher than garbage is lying or is being paid to say so. I see 9/10 and 10/10's and to those people- you either were watching an entirely different movie or are both fortunately blind and deaf. While the actors were great, their efforts were completely drowned out by the insufferable script, try hard conflict, poor filming and overall high school home project vibes. Had this been written by a POC or had a POC even been talked to during the creative process this could've been a phenomenal flick.

Thrilling and so beautifully shot.

[tamaragarfield-1 · 10/10 · 3 July 2023]

A Southern Haunting, a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, delivers a hauntingly captivating experience from start to finish. This film masterfully combines elements of suspense, mystery, and supernatural horror, leaving audiences spellbound.

The plot centers around a family with a dark past, setting the stage for a spine-chilling tale. The movie expertly builds tension, gradually revealing the secrets that lie within the walls. Each twist and turn is carefully crafted, keeping viewers guessing and engrossed in the narrative.

The atmospheric cinematography beautifully captures the eerie ambiance, immersing viewers in the haunting world of the film. The attention to detail in the set design and costumes adds authenticity and enhances the overall sense of foreboding.

The performances in A Southern Haunting are exceptional, with the cast delivering compelling portrayals of their characters. Their chemistry and nuanced acting bring depth and believability to the story, making it all the more engrossing. The standout performances by the lead actors truly elevate the film. Imani Hakim is riveting.

What sets A Southern Haunting apart is its ability to blend supernatural elements with psychological suspense. It keeps you guessing until the very end, and the payoff is both satisfying and thought-provoking. The film's ability to elicit genuine fear and create a lasting impact is a testament to its skilled direction and storytelling.

Additionally, the well-crafted sound design and haunting musical score heighten the tension, further immersing the audience in the movie's atmosphere. The combination of visuals, sound, and narrative creates an unforgettable cinematic experience.

A Southern Haunting is a must-watch for fans of the thriller genre. It manages to deliver both some scares and an intriguing storyline while leaving room for deeper exploration of themes. This film is a testament to the power of a well-crafted thriller that will undoubtedly leave you captivated and eager for more.

Prepare yourself for a thrilling journey into the unknown with A Southern Haunting.

Truly Bad

[jacewhite-237-481498 · 1/10 · 15 September 2023]

Massa's wagon runs over slave child. Bad acting ensues.

Does anyone remember "Roots"? Does anyone remember what a step forward that was?

How bad is this movie? Have you seen the anti-smoking commercials that constantly pervade TV? Such as the one where some lady has had her toes cut off because of smoking? This movie is worse than that.

Have you seen the episode of "Leave It To Beaver" where the Beav climbs up on a billboard with a coffee cup on it, Beaver falls into the coffee cup, and has to have the fire department come in to get him out? This movie is even stupider than that.

Spend your life doing better things than watching this horrible movie.

The dog ate my homework for film school

[ihtpsswrds · 1/10 · 4 October 2023]

I think the concept might have been good, if I'm deciphering this mess correctly, but it's hard to tell. Disjointed, sloppy art direction, and some talented actors in search of a director. Ed Wood much?

And Rusty? You can do better than this dog.

It's a shame this concept wasn't better executed, because the story concept has real potential.

Pure Southern Gothic is great if it is well executed and the rich storyline of the a family in search of mother set in the reconstruction era and facing a haunted farm is a rich canvas. So why didn't we see a better set and costumes. I understand production during the pandemic was limiting, but surely we could have had moodier lighting and a little dirt and dust? It was like this was shot in a museum.

Not worth it

[th-91071 · 2/10 · 30 November 2023]

Whomever wrote, produced, filmed, created, or even acted in this movie should rethink this. The movie is not a horror, it's slow to watch, and confusing to follow.

I only continued watching it due to the female actress (Older daughter). I would love to be able to get my wasted time back, but I can't.

This was a horrible movie I would hope they wouldn't make another movie like this.

I have nothing else to say about the movie other than I wish I would not have seen it.

I actually thought the movie was made back in the early 2000's. I can't believe this movie was made in 2023. I could sworn they switched out the actors.

No horror in here.

[Surreptitious_Vin · 1/10 · 12 October 2023]

Finished the movie in one go. Not because I loved it, but because I spent the entirety of it trying to find an iota of horror.

Note, the first 2 mins of the film can be deceiving and in stark contrast to the rest of the movie which focusses heavily, if not entirely on racial prejudice and slavery. The 'horror' bit is mostly limited to the title and viewers expectations.

At certain junctures in the film, one would even be forgiven for noticing a strong undercurrent of a vastly different storyline running parallel to the intended plot that has by now become wholly superficial to the extent it almost feels that the writer is pushing a certain narrative.

Pure Garbage

[cubmom04 · 1/10 · 29 September 2023]

I have no idea what the writer/director was going for in this movie. It's not scary, first of all. Second, it's so slow and disjointed that it's boring and nonsensical. Did most of the movie get cut? Because there was such bizarre cuts between scenes, like one scene you see a boy hunting and then suddenly his dad appears out of nowhere. I'm worried that the director was using a bootleg copy of a film editing app on a really old cell phone.

There's absolutely no explanation or dialogue to describe what is happening for the first half of the film. The "scary" part is a black mist that randomly appears, a guy that goes catatonic for most of the movie, and a woman in a well. Oh wait, two women in a well. This movie was a waste of time, and just confirms that there's no end of money for mediocrity. The actors are all fine, they make the best of really bad material.

Scorsese would weep if he watched this.

TRASH EXCUSE FOR A MOVIE

[tank-53651 · 1/10 · 2 October 2023]

0 stars!!!!! Trash excuse for a movie let alone a horror movie...the director, cast, and writers did an abysmal job. This is worst than a Tubi film. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME WATCHING THIS. No true direction nor any thrilling/scary scenes. The dumbest, most boring, theatrical trash I've ever watched. The actors seem to be good actors but somehow took these roles. And now I'm left with a bad taste in my mouth for any future films with them attached to other casts. The director should switch to another role in filmmaking and the writers should be forever barred from pen and paper. Special effects were lack luster whenever on screen. Overall please waste your time scrolling through emails or tik tok than watching this hot burning turd of a film.

Blue,red, yellow, green,purple lights.

[Iankandy · 2/10 · 9 July 2023]

Why did I just pay $6.99 for this 1999, rent a movie from a VHS store, waste of time Mickey mouse bull squash? I even stayed awake through it all drinking whiskey. Don't pay or even watch this garbage. A 30 second YouTube ad is more entertaining and engaging than this smelly dog vomit. They can't act it's like practice and stopping to breathe to see if they can call cut. Farting slow is more entertaining. Watching the toilet bowl flush it more entertaining. Watching a fly, fly is more entertaining. Watching a peach tree try to grow is more entertaining. Watching a cat take a shower is more entertaining.

Gripping!! Watch it!

[proctorsh · 9/10 · 5 July 2023]

This movie grabs you from the start!! You feel like part of this family striking out for freedom, but haunted and hounded by racism, deception, the past, and the supernatural. Beautiful acting photography, and scenery. Spooky at times but not evil...except for the evil that lurks in the hearts of some of the characters. This movie tells a tragic story. It's sad, but it's also full of strength, of resilience. It's a story of how family, love, and the human spirit can overcome and triumph through great heartache and hardship.

Watch it!! You will be thinking about what it means long after A Southern Haunting ends.

Noticeably talented Actors and Crew! Current and future super stars for sure!

[barbankers · 10/10 · 6 July 2023]

Well written with noticeably very talented team of actors and crew! I recognize some familiar faces and notice some definite up coming stars! Content was thought filled and intentional. I love the spotlight on femininity and strength. I loved how it evoked emotion both positive and negative. Definitely a sign a good storyline. Not your typical slave movie and was so happy for the ending to be on a more positive note. It left me with a feeling of victory instead of complete sadness which I don't like about typical movies regarding race relations in general. Also great period piece! Great job and thank you for your art!

A Compelling Film!

[Hamlet316 · 9/10 · 6 July 2023]

"A Southern Haunting" is a compelling film that delves into the challenges faced by a family during the early days of the Reconstruction era. Led by stellar performances from Imani Hakim, Laya Hayes, Tarik Lowe and Graham Patrick Martin, the movie skillfully portrays the family's battle against external pressures while trying to eke out a living on their 40 acres of arduous farmland. The haunting presence on their property adds a chilling twist to the narrative, blending beautifully with the overall story.

One of the film's strengths lies in its ability to craft a captivating and emotionally resonant tale. The struggles faced by the family mirror the larger struggles of the era, creating a relatable and engrossing experience for viewers. The exploration of themes like resilience, determination, and the enduring bond of family adds depth to the plot, elevating it beyond a simple horror flick.

Visually, "A Southern Haunting" is a treat for the eyes. The cinematography captures the haunting beauty of the southern landscapes, juxtaposing the serene surroundings with the underlying sense of unease. Each shot is meticulously crafted, creating a palpable atmosphere that keeps the audience on edge throughout the film. The attention to detail in set design further enhances the immersion, transporting viewers to the Reconstruction era with authenticity.

In terms of scares, the movie delivers a satisfying blend of tension and frights. The paranormal occurrences on the family's property are skillfully executed, generating genuine moments of suspense. The well-paced storytelling keeps the audience guessing and builds towards a climactic and chilling finale.

"A Southern Haunting" stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and the endurance of the human spirit. Its beautifully crafted narrative, stunning visuals, and effective scares make it a must-watch for fans of horror and historical dramas alike. With standout performances from a Steller Cast, this film is sure to leave a lasting impression. Prepare to be enthralled and spooked as you journey through the struggles of this family in a haunted and haunting time.

A pleasant surprise

[dcarter-11049 · 9/10 · 4 July 2023]

The Southern Haunting is a beautifully shot film that focuses on the history of slavery and racism with a twist. This is a well written and produced movie with great performances from the actors, especially the characters of Lulu and Henny. This movie had the right amount of suspense with a plot twist that will keep the audience on the edge of their seat. . I hope this film gets to have the opportunity to be shown in more theaters to give a broader audience an opportunity to experience this film. I would certainly recommend that you see this film if you like suspense with a little history lesson!!

A thrilling ride!

[optrung · 9/10 · 3 July 2023]

Solid writing along with great acting ! A fresh take on this genre and worth a watch!! Really enjoyed the character development and the story telling. It was beautifully shot. The sound was so clean and Dynamic. Overall well worth a buy and a visit to the Theaters!! Lula the main character was so interesting to watch. I thought the performance given by Laya Hayes was sooo good!!! I mean you can say that for the whole cast!! It had scares in all the right place and surprising comedic moments that I welcomed! Hahah. I would def recommend this film to everyone. So many moments to enjoy. But I don't want to spoil it! Go see it!!

Must See

[bzwxhjqgb · 10/10 · 7 July 2023]

The characters are well developed. Haven't seen a plot like this with such great twists and turns. I appreciate the storyline. It's difficult to tell a story during such a critical time in our history while staying true to the narrative. This movie did a great job of not jumping too far into grittiness of our history. Certain elements kept me guessing which I loved. As much as I tried to guess what would happen next, I was always pleasantly surprised. I recognized the leading actress the girl from Everybody Hates Chris. It was refreshing to see her in a role that was completely out of her element. Great range.

BEST HORROR MOVIE IVE EVER SEEN!!

[alexjwambu · 10/10 · 5 July 2023]

Can't explain the love and care I bet went into this film. Had me on the edge of my seat with and ending I loved. Would absolutely see this again!!!!!!

The cinematography gave a fresh view of the plot and was creative in its use!!!!

Great movie would see with friends!!!!!!!

First quarter of the move greatly gave context to the characters situations as well as a peek to the characters thoughts. Great for later character development and allowed the audience to get a grasp for the characters.

The end of the movie I can't get into completely due to spoilers however it gave a satisfactory ending.