AN EVIL LANDLADY TALE
THERE is nothing more terrifying than discovering the apartment you live in is run by a psychotic manager with a serial killer son. Unfortunately, this is the situation Jackie (Julie Benz), a troubled young woman who takes up residence in Havenhurst (a gothic apartment complex in the heart of New York City’s historic Tudor City district), finds herself in after getting released from rehab.
Havenhurst’s proprietor Eleanor Mudget (Fionnula Flanagan) rents units in her apartment solely to former addicts who need to construct a new life after rehab. This is where Jackie, the former alcohol addict, is given a second chance of starting afresh.
She is also given a new job, working as a waitress at a diner. “Welcome to Havenhurst,” says the evillooking Eleanor with snow white hair. She is warned to follow Eleanor’s rules — to not revert to destructive old habits and lead a decent life or else residents would get “evicted” from the building.
The turn-of-the-century building is so eerie-looking I don’t understand why anybody would want to live there. Its once-luxurious interior looks dusty even from afar. But Jackie is drawn into the unsolved disappearance of her apartment’s previous occupant, who happens to be a woman she befriended in rehab — a Danielle Hampton (Danielle Harris).
Jackie attempts to ask Eleanor about her friend but is quickly dismissed with “once they leave the building, one rarely hears from them again.”
Not one to give up, a brave Jackie dives into the mysteries that live deep within the walls of Havenhurst to find her friend, aided by New York police detective Tim (Josh Stamberg).
At the same time she befriends a lonely foster child Sarah (Belle Shouse) who lives next door. Jackie can’t help but feel a connection with Sarah, guiltridden over the loss of her 8-year-old daughter due to her own recklessness during her alcoholic days.
Director and writer Andrew C. Erin then takes the audience inside Jackie’s flashbacks of happier times with her daughter. In stark of contrast to the dark setting of the movie, Jackie and Sarah share a light moment over burnt pancakes Sarah attempts to make for breakfast.
Unsurprisingly, Sarah clings on to Jackie as things back home aren’t all fine and dandy with her foster parents. The duo sticks together to try and determine the truth behind the disappearance of Jackie’s friend. Sarah helps Jackie by helping her locate the building’s secret doors and hidden compart- ments — of course all this happens while Eleanor watches, unnoticed by the two.
Eventually, Jackie learns that Eleanor is the mastermind behind her friend’s disappearance. She calls the police to check on the building but they find nothing. The story hits its climax when Jackie herself gets into trouble after Eleanor discovers she has broken the rules by drinking alcohol. She makes a daring attempt to escape from the building and calls for Tim’s help but will she really make it out alive?
Havenhurst borrows from horror classics that feature secret rooms, sliding walls and trapdoors. The suspense intensifies when the shadow of the killer named Jed (Douglas Tait) is seen around every corner of the apartment trying to catch Jackie and Sarah.
The eventual cat-and-mouse premise leads to a plot twist at the end of the movie.
Although the storyline is fairly good, Benz’s performance in battling the demons of Havenhurst is a little disappointing. She doesn’t have the facial expressions of a genuinely frightened person and always lookeds a little too proper when running away from the killer.
I expected more from the actress, who is known to play deep, complex and often flawed characters like Darla in the famous US TV series, Buffy The Vampire Slayer. In fact, Harris’ performance is much more convincing, and she only appears at the beginning of the film for about 5 minutes. Perhaps the role of Jackie should’ve been given to her instead.
Flanagan, on the other hand, is perfect in bringing Eleanor’s character to life. She masks her identity with seeming kindness when in fact, she is an evil and sadistic old lady.
Writers Daniel Farrands and Erin do a good job keeping audiences engrossed throughout the 80-minute run.
Although viewers should not expect too much, the sinister and supernatural happenings in Havenhurst have enough of an impact to bring on spine-tingling chills.
syahirah.mokhtazar@nst.com.my