Haunted Mansion (2023)

Welcome foolish mortals!

Dare you enter the new Haunted Mansion film directed by Justin Simien ( Bad Hair , Dear White People ). The film based on the fan favorite ride of the same name that originally opened in Disneyland back on August 9th, 1969, in which you go on a walk through / ride inside the mansion inhabited by ghosts who say that there are nine hundred ninety-nine spirits but always room for one more. This is the second time Disney has made a film about the Haunted Mansion ride, the first being the Eddie Murphy led film released in the year 2003.

   This new adaptation follows a mother and son played by Rosario Dawson as Gabbie and Chase Dillon as Travis who have just moved to New Orleans and bought the mansion as what Gabbie thinks will be the new start they need. They very quickly discover that the mansion is haunted. Gabbie then enlists a ragtag group of spiritual experts made up of  LaKeith Stanfield as Ben Matthias an Ex-Physicist turned Tour Guide,  Owen Wilson as the priest Father Kent, Tiffany Haddish as Harriet a Spirit Medium, and Danny DaVito as Professor Bruce Davis. Now Gabbie and Chase with the help of the ragtag group must work together to stop the unruly ghosts from haunting the mansion.

     The great thing that director Justin Simien does with his take on the Haunted Mansion IP is all the attention to detail he put in the film, making you feel as if you are in the ride itself, all while telling an emotionally gripping, funny and spooky story that further expands on Haunted Mansion lore. The film moves at a nice pace never feeling to rushed, while building tension in the right points to build on the spooky aspects. The film has great comedic banter between the actors helping to lighten the tone. The film is visually great, and the special effects and CGI effects are done in an amazing way to bring to life the beloved characters and elements from the ride.

    The film is sure to make fans of the ride happy and grinning over the inclusion of some of the best moments and characters from the ride,  from a wonderfully spooky portrayal of the Hat Box Ghost played by Jared Leto to the mystical Madame Leota played by the legendary scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis. Director Justin Simien and team creatively incorporate things such as chairs that were crafted to resemble the shape of the famous Doombuggy carts that you ride through the Disney attraction, then of course the recognizable wallpaper and so many more fun easter eggs and nods to people who helped in the creation of the Disney attraction. Disney and Haunted Mansion fans are sure to have a ghoul time spotting these, so remember to be on the lookout while watching.

 So, prepare yourself to enter the mansion on July 26th, 2023, for the first showings with the official release date being July 28th, 2023.