Parker Brennon has impressed with their short offerings Haunt Me, Elise's Nightmare, Below The Trees, and Winter's Blood. Now, the director has debuted their poignant, humorous, bloody, and masterful feature debut Hauntology at FrightFest 2024 which cements their status as a genre creator to watch.
Starring Samantha Robinson, Nancy Loomis, and Naomi Grossman, the anthology horror tells the story of Venus (Jaidyn Triplett), who is set to run away from home after her parents dismiss her identity exploration. While leaving, she is stopped by her sister Jazmin (Samantha Russell) who begs her not to leave. As a compromise, she promises to tell her a series of stories she thinks will convince the youngster to stay, journeying around their town and retelling the spooky historical tales that haunt the buildings. As they venture through the secluded cabins, imposing Victorian streets, and even the local graveyard, their family's sinister connection to the local stories becomes evident, as does their present-day predicament involving one malevolent spirit.
Each of Jazmin's tales is presented as its own short horror film, and though each deals with a wildly different type of genre film, they all piece together to form the wider picture of how those who were ‘different' in their family were preyed on through the centuries by William Cashell (James DeForest Parker) – both physically and in his spirit form. Witchcraft Becomes Her takes us on a journey with Julian Cashel (Zoey Luna), who performs witchcraft to become her true self but inadvertently attracts the attention of a demon that must be banished. The Day Mabel Came out of The Grave sees Jade (Abiail Esmena) fall in love with the spirit of a mysterious woman named Mabel Bishop (Jacinda Forbes), an ancient relative of Jazmin and Venus, who died at the hands of William. Paint and Black Lace takes us into the not-too-distant past with the sisters' Aunt May (Kim Lea Mays), a deceased painter who hacks and slashes her way through those involved in a scheme to sell fake versions of her paintings. Lastly, we take a trip to the Cashel house in The Old Dark Cashel House as Venus and Jazmin's relative Madeline interviews the infamous Josephine Cashel (Nancy Loomis), the great great great grandchild of William, about her haunted home.
Brennon showcases their masterful knowledge and understanding of genre cinema as they utilise everything from supernatural to giallo elements effectively, telling five stories in one feature film with it never feeling like one has less attention than the next. At the same time, it offers a nuanced exploration of Queer identity through its various LGBTQ+ characters and their emotional plights to explore sexuality and gender.
Hauntology perfectly balances multiple genres, themes, and humour with its horror to tell numerous stories all centred around one family. The performances of the star-studded cast bring the intricate story together, culminating in a tense final act with the ultimate battle of good and evil, family and isolation, and acceptance against those who want to stifle your otherness. Brennon asserts that they are certainly a horror creator on the rise with this stunning anthology film offering something for every genre fan.
Hauntology had its international premiere at FrightFest 2024 on Friday, August 23.
