An American Haunting is a true tale of terror

An American Haunting

Director: Courtney Solomon

Cast: Donald Sutherland, Sissy Spacek, James D’Arcy, Rachel Hurd-Wood

Cert: 15

A horror story based on real-life events, uncovered almost 100 years after the original hauntings of a family in Tennessee.

Apparently at the time of the first manifestations – in the late l818’s – the unfortunate family was subjected to attacks from poltergeists … and here we get the full works of sounds from the attic, tossed beds, physical attacks and a priest unable to find a solution.

Fast-forward to the late l990s when an old manuscript is found detailing the events.

So far so good: a true tale of terror, what could be better? Well a more carefully constructed film, for a start.

Solomon does his best – aided by an A-List cast, to keep us suitable terrified but there’s just too much fright that doesn’t actually lead anywhere, except to an unsatisfactory climax.

An opportunity for a classic missed.

Star Rating: 3/5