The Haunting Of #24
AKA Lie Still
Directed By Sean Hogan
Released: 2005
Starring: Stuart Laing, Robert Blythe, Susan Engel, and Nina Sosanya
Running Time: 80 minutes
DVD Released By MTI Home Video 2007

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Stuart Laing plays John Hare, a young man who, while trying to get his life together, moves into a cheap apartment managed by the odd Martin Stone (played by Robert Blythe). During his first few nights in #24, John begins to experience supernatural occurrences and he is understandably freaked out. The old woman down the hall (Susan Engel) gives John cryptic warnings about his new home and his ex-girlfriend, Veronica (Nina Sosanya), is starting to think that he’s going mad. John tries to leave but soon finds that the other tenants may not let him go so easily.

This debut from writer/director Sean Hogan shows a great deal of promise. Armed with beautifully composed cinematography and excellent use of shadow and sound effects, The Haunting Of #24 is a nice surprise from the UK. Aside from the cheapest headstone in all of England, this film is able to hide its small budget quite well. Though the storyline lacks any new territory and there is only a small amount of blood spilled, this film deserves a look.

The cast is pretty tight all around with Stuart Laing having a whole lot resting on his shoulders. John is a damned soul with a few surprises up his sleeve. Susan Engel goes way, way over-the-top in her performance and it works quite well. The Old Woman spouts off some pretty badass vile and provides a disconcerting scene of improper hand on upper thigh placement. The beautiful Nina Sosanya is very good as John’s understanding and unfortunate ex-girlfriend. Veteran actor Robert Blythe is quite good as the creepy landlord, Martin Stone.

I like The Haunting Of # 24 because it is an old school ghost story told without any overdone computer effects or jerky editing tricks. Though the plot barely has a trace of originality about it and the script is about as contrived as they come, I’m still not put off. The short running time is also a plus. This creepy little movie could have been a real nightmare at 100+ minutes.

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Links:

For more info, check out MTI Home Video.

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Quotes:

Old man in pub: “Shame. She looked a right goer, that one. Fat girls usually are.”