Haunted Mansion

Like many, I have ridden Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride a handful of times. Honestly, it is one of my favorite rides at the Magic Kingdom, so when I heard they were adapting the ride into a new feature film starring one of my favorite actors (LaKeith Stanfeld), this foolish mortal was ready for a spooktacularly fun journey. Disney has been mining their theme park attractions for movie ideas for decades now, with one such attempt actually being the 2003 film The Haunted Mansion. Unfortunately, it failed to impress both critics and audiences, especially when compared to the massive success of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, which was released the same year. Now, after several decades filled with IP-based movies, Disney has given Haunted Mansion another shot to shine, this time directed by Justin Simien.

Disney's 2023 Haunted Mansion is a delightful and entertaining ride through the supernatural, thanks to its fun ensemble cast led by the talented LaKeith Stanfield. LaKeith's portrayal of Ben, a New Orleans tour guide with a scientific skepticism about ghosts, brings a fresh and engaging energy to the film. Alongside him, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, and Jared Leto deliver enjoyable supporting performances that add depth and humor to the story.

Simien's film beautifully showcases its fun-loving origins through its imaginative portrayal of the haunted mansion. One of the standout elements of the film is its great production design, which breathes life into the titular mansion and its eerie inhabitants. The attention to detail creates a captivating and immersive atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience for viewers. The house undergoes mesmerizing transformations, turning into a surrealist landscape that entrances the audience. Endless halls, ceilings stretching into the realm of impossibility, mysterious gargoyles, concealed rooms, and the timeless allure of ghost-inhabited portraits all hark back to the classic Gothicism that any fan of the film will surely appreciate. Haunted Mansion also treats its viewers to a handful of playful chases and spooky sequences that keep the excitement levels high. The film effortlessly weaves moments of humor and thrills, adding to the overall enjoyment of this ghostly adventure. Simien's skillful direction ensures that these sequences are not only entertaining but also visually stunning, creating a memorable cinematic experience for all.

The fast-moving plot keeps audiences on their toes, as it manages to be filled with twists and turns that maintain a sense of excitement throughout the movie. The film strikes the perfect balance between thrills and humor partially by having well-timed jokes that land effortlessly, with Stanfield and Wilson in particular excelling at this. Disney's Haunted Mansion also pays loving homage to the iconic ride it draws inspiration from, with plenty of easter eggs and references that will thrill die-hard Disney Parks fans. These nods to the original attraction add an extra layer of enjoyment for those familiar with the ride's spooky lore.

But beyond the entertaining surface, the film delivers a significant message about grief and how to navigate its complex emotions. The film's central character Ben serves as a poignant representation of someone grappling with loss and sorrow. Throughout the movie, Ben's skepticism about ghosts mirrors his reluctance to confront his own feelings of grief. He seemingly distances himself from the supernatural, just as he avoids confronting the haunting memories of his own past. As he embarks on the journey to rid the haunted mansion of its spirits, Ben finds himself surrounded by a diverse and quirky ensemble of characters. These characters represent various coping mechanisms and perspectives towards grief. Through his interactions with them, Ben begins to realize that suppressing his emotions only perpetuates the haunting presence of his sorrow. The mansion itself becomes a metaphor for Ben's emotional landscape. Its endless halls and hidden rooms symbolize the labyrinthine depths of his grief, with no escape until he confronts it head-on. The eerie yet awe-inspiring elements of the mansion parallel the mixture of fear and fascination that comes with exploring one's emotions in the face of loss. As the plot unfolds, Ben's journey takes him through playful chases and spooky encounters, each mirroring the unpredictability and ups and downs of the grieving process. Through these experiences, he gradually learns that healing from grief does not mean erasing the memories or pain but instead finding a way to coexist with them.

Ultimately, the emotional core of the film lies in Ben's transformation as he comes to terms with his grief. The cathartic and moving moments that Stanfield brings to the character showcase the importance of acknowledging and embracing one's emotions. By doing so, Ben begins to heal and finds a newfound strength to move forward while cherishing the memories of his past.

In this way, Disney's 2023 Haunted Mansion becomes more than just a ghostly romp; it becomes a poignant tale of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of confronting grief. The film sends a crucial message that dealing with loss is a natural part of the human experience, and embracing one's emotions is essential to finding healing and ultimately, a sense of closure and peace.

7/10