The Haunting (1999)★ 5.7/10

As incredible as it may seem, I found this remake much more pleasing than the one made in the 1960s. The cast is the high point of this one and despite the exaggerated use of special effects, it still manages to tell a story compelling enough, even with some holes in the screenplay.

The narrative is undeniably outdated from today’s perspective, but the set design remains exquisite. The gothic mansion is lavish and mysterious, so much so that the house itself becomes the film’s true protagonist. Each frame could be studied in a course on classical aesthetics. Sadly, the screenplay fails to live up to the visual grandeur.

The film drags far too long, stretching a thin story into a two-hour runtime without adding depth. The plot feels unimaginative even for its time, and much of it lacks logical cohesion. Key questions are left unresolved, turning a simple ghost story into a frustrating mess.