While scanning the reviews for this particular title I was really dismayed that people have the audacity to tear something apart that was not a multimillion dollar project. Obviously if it was a larger scale project then I can understand some of the comments. While I will not give any spoilers, I will critique the items that I think could have probably been addressed little bit better. The dialogue from far away could have been a little bit more audible. And the flickering from the candles when they weren't actually flickering probably could have been addressed. Overall I think it was a pretty good movie considering the subject and content. Kudos to whoever directed this project 😊
11 Reviews
A Problem in Ravenwood
PNWReview7 April 2022
A Haunting in Ravenwood tells the story of a couple, Eric (Jon Meggison) and Mary (Chynna Rae Shults) who move into an old Victorian home in the small town of Ravenwood. This home supposedly belongs to the family of Eric's previous wife now deceased. Beyond this not much is explained of the residence.
This Victorian home is reminiscent of many a home in many a horror movie. It even comes complete with its own creepy and odd groundskeeper (Tim Coyle)! The only thing we're missing here is the creepy butler.
Aside from the many horror clichés this film falls into it does try to tell a story. We see the outline of what could have been a good concept but we miss the mark. The problems lie in the central characters.
Our two leads lack any sense of chemistry. Jon Meggison delivers a very flat performance as Eric. Meanwhile Chynna Rae Shults delivers a very intense performance as Mary. Their conversations don't feel natural. These people don't feel like they've actually been married and it's not believable Eric or Mary care for each other. Even if the lead actors themselves show promise. Both actors are decent but clearly Jon Meggison could have been served by a better director.
Eric and Mary are both grieving in their own ways and it is through this grief that they were brought together and eventually married. Mary has been seeing a therapist to help cope with her mental issues related to her grief. This is the best explored avenue in this film.
It's not until a pivotal scene dealing with this that we start to care about our lead actress. This is acheived through universal themes of human emotion. Unfortunately shortly after this the big "twist" comes that sets the film on course in a new direction. A direction that feels right for the character of Eric. The movie did nothing to make us like or care for his character up until this point so when we eventually transition to his character's purpose it hardly comes as a surprise.
Overall we have the shell of what the film could have been in its concepts with Eric which are never quite clearly explained. Contrasting that with the mental and emotional turmoil that Mary is facing we see the faint glimmer of something possibly better. Something the filmmakers should have searched a little harder to find.
As a little bonus here I would like to point out several horror clichés this film suffers from. We have the creepy Victorian house that establishes the setting. The creepy groundskeeper which is quite frankly the worst thing about this movie. The tormented ghost of the past. The girl in constant agony crying up a storm for half the movie. Lastly, a personal favorite of mine, the dark house in modern times that is lit only by candlelight and lanterns. Why do we continue to fumble around in the dark in horror movies?
Consider this my plea for the filmmakers to do better. There's a lot of promise here with everyone involved.
This Victorian home is reminiscent of many a home in many a horror movie. It even comes complete with its own creepy and odd groundskeeper (Tim Coyle)! The only thing we're missing here is the creepy butler.
Aside from the many horror clichés this film falls into it does try to tell a story. We see the outline of what could have been a good concept but we miss the mark. The problems lie in the central characters.
Our two leads lack any sense of chemistry. Jon Meggison delivers a very flat performance as Eric. Meanwhile Chynna Rae Shults delivers a very intense performance as Mary. Their conversations don't feel natural. These people don't feel like they've actually been married and it's not believable Eric or Mary care for each other. Even if the lead actors themselves show promise. Both actors are decent but clearly Jon Meggison could have been served by a better director.
Eric and Mary are both grieving in their own ways and it is through this grief that they were brought together and eventually married. Mary has been seeing a therapist to help cope with her mental issues related to her grief. This is the best explored avenue in this film.
It's not until a pivotal scene dealing with this that we start to care about our lead actress. This is acheived through universal themes of human emotion. Unfortunately shortly after this the big "twist" comes that sets the film on course in a new direction. A direction that feels right for the character of Eric. The movie did nothing to make us like or care for his character up until this point so when we eventually transition to his character's purpose it hardly comes as a surprise.
Overall we have the shell of what the film could have been in its concepts with Eric which are never quite clearly explained. Contrasting that with the mental and emotional turmoil that Mary is facing we see the faint glimmer of something possibly better. Something the filmmakers should have searched a little harder to find.
As a little bonus here I would like to point out several horror clichés this film suffers from. We have the creepy Victorian house that establishes the setting. The creepy groundskeeper which is quite frankly the worst thing about this movie. The tormented ghost of the past. The girl in constant agony crying up a storm for half the movie. Lastly, a personal favorite of mine, the dark house in modern times that is lit only by candlelight and lanterns. Why do we continue to fumble around in the dark in horror movies?
Consider this my plea for the filmmakers to do better. There's a lot of promise here with everyone involved.
I'm being generous giving this a 3
vmalast30 July 2022
The lighting, acting and cinematography are all over the place. Some good, some bad and, "what the heck were they thinking.
The final quarter of the movie, looked like a bad parody of a "Tales from the Crypt" episode.
Anyone giving This a high rating is obviously involved with the "film"
The final quarter of the movie, looked like a bad parody of a "Tales from the Crypt" episode.
Anyone giving This a high rating is obviously involved with the "film"
So bad
rjohnson-6941610 May 2022
Haunted for watching.
Miq2u18 April 2022
If you are a cult classic fanatic of the 50's and 60's style horror and acting, there is a possibility you may love this movie. Having watched many classics with my father as a child I originally loved those, but as the film industry developed, so did the writing, directing, and acting. This film did not.
While the story has really great promise, the acting, directing and special effects make me want to watch a movie written by, directed by, and staring William Shatner. I would even recommend that for potential viewer in leu of this travesty of tragedy. The lead character "Mary" is the only character with any viable depth and emotion. I actually appreciated her role. Her husband was given some really bad lines and direction while the grounds keeper is completely unbelievable in his character. The special effects made me reminisce of my child as a 7 year old doing a make-up party. I have never written a review, but I felt the need to warn would be viewers not to waste their money unless they are into the 50's and 60's style horror with the same budget and quality as they originally used in those movies. Well, to be fair it was at least in color with HD...
While the story has really great promise, the acting, directing and special effects make me want to watch a movie written by, directed by, and staring William Shatner. I would even recommend that for potential viewer in leu of this travesty of tragedy. The lead character "Mary" is the only character with any viable depth and emotion. I actually appreciated her role. Her husband was given some really bad lines and direction while the grounds keeper is completely unbelievable in his character. The special effects made me reminisce of my child as a 7 year old doing a make-up party. I have never written a review, but I felt the need to warn would be viewers not to waste their money unless they are into the 50's and 60's style horror with the same budget and quality as they originally used in those movies. Well, to be fair it was at least in color with HD...
Seen it before
lindalozar23 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The premise started interesting enough & then went straight to Deja vu. Young widower marries a mentally unstable young woman because he has fallen in love with her. She is nothing like the deceased wife & his friends think it's a good thing. But is she that much different? The deceased wife was the heiress to a fortune. She was an orphan & had no siblings or other relatives with a claim to the family fortune. His new wife is an orphan with no siblings or relatives to lay claim to the family fortune she has inherited. Hmmm.
Unfortunately, this is not an original premise for a movie. This is an up-date on a 1958 movie, The Screaming Skull. While I have enjoyed some re-makes/re-imaginings in the past, I did not enjoy this one.
The actors are too stiff & not natural. They give the impression of people never having acted in front of a camera before, or even performed in front of a live audience. I was unable to have any liking for any of the characters, except the gardener. He's a simple soul who would be awkward around people.
Overall, I do not recommend this movie by any account. Watch the original if you want a better look. Besides, the original isn't all dark & hard to see what exactly is going on.
Unfortunately, this is not an original premise for a movie. This is an up-date on a 1958 movie, The Screaming Skull. While I have enjoyed some re-makes/re-imaginings in the past, I did not enjoy this one.
The actors are too stiff & not natural. They give the impression of people never having acted in front of a camera before, or even performed in front of a live audience. I was unable to have any liking for any of the characters, except the gardener. He's a simple soul who would be awkward around people.
Overall, I do not recommend this movie by any account. Watch the original if you want a better look. Besides, the original isn't all dark & hard to see what exactly is going on.
Neo-Gothic chiller!
tora32 April 2022
A Throwback To The Old Horror Movies Of The 1940s
ladymidath23 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
While I enjoyed A Haunting In Ravenswood, I could see some of the issues that kept this from being a far better movie. First of all, I could see the stinger coming a mile off. The husband, Eric (Jon Meggison) was so flat and emotionless, except for when he became angry of frustrated, I found it hard to believe that they were in love. Well that cleared itself up in the last third, (spoiler, he married her for her money.) There just wasn't any chemistry between him and his new wife, Mary, (Chynna Rae Shults.)
The acting ranged between wooden and over the top emotional and while there were a few really scary moments, there were a dew very dull ones as well.
It's not a bad movie and I can see what they were trying for with this. Evil husband trying to drive his rich wife mad and/or kill her. This harks back to the old noir thrillers of the 40s and 50s.
This movie could have been much better, but kudos for trying.
It's not a bad movie and I can see what they were trying for with this. Evil husband trying to drive his rich wife mad and/or kill her. This harks back to the old noir thrillers of the 40s and 50s.
This movie could have been much better, but kudos for trying.
Worth the Watch! Eerie, Emotional and Entertaining
asiaarts1 April 2022
Overall I'd say it's worth a watch. It's well put together, entertaining, and though slow, you get invested in the characters and end up wanting to watch it to the end. You can tell the filmmakers for this movie are invested and take care in movie making unlike many others that seem just rushed, and cynical. But no, This movie is great!!! I 100% think it's worth checking out!
Check it out
joshuadraineycma31 May 2022
This movie is competently directed.
Tim Coyle gives the standout performance as Gregory, he feels like the heart of the story to me.
Chynna Rae Shurts gives a solid performance as a woman who may or may not be losing her mind, often pushing the dial to 11.
Jon Meggison simmers appropriately as the husband.
It's a great depiction of gaslighting.
The ending is delightfully over the top.
It also features appearances by horror legends Eileen Dietz and Jackey Neyman Jones.
I appreciated the Easter Egg from "The Exorcist".
Tim Coyle gives the standout performance as Gregory, he feels like the heart of the story to me.
Chynna Rae Shurts gives a solid performance as a woman who may or may not be losing her mind, often pushing the dial to 11.
Jon Meggison simmers appropriately as the husband.
It's a great depiction of gaslighting.
The ending is delightfully over the top.
It also features appearances by horror legends Eileen Dietz and Jackey Neyman Jones.
I appreciated the Easter Egg from "The Exorcist".
Another solid Calvin Morie McCarthy film.
jaredprophet20 September 2022
I watched A Haunting In Ravenwood on Tubi. Free w/ ads.
This is the third film from Portland director Calvin Morie McCarthy. He does a lot with these small budgets and his work gets better and better. And these three movies are distinctly different from one another.
This movie is about a newlywed woman who has moved into a haunted house with her new husband, and spends a lot of time alone in the spooky house, wondering if she is being haunted or going mad.
This is well done and features some brief nudity.
This really works. Chynna Rae Shurts and Calvin Morie McCarthy are both worth paying attention to in the future.
This is the third film from Portland director Calvin Morie McCarthy. He does a lot with these small budgets and his work gets better and better. And these three movies are distinctly different from one another.
This movie is about a newlywed woman who has moved into a haunted house with her new husband, and spends a lot of time alone in the spooky house, wondering if she is being haunted or going mad.
This is well done and features some brief nudity.
This really works. Chynna Rae Shurts and Calvin Morie McCarthy are both worth paying attention to in the future.
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