Directed by Steven M. Smith
Written by Christopher Jolley & Steven M. Smith

Borley Rectory: The Awakening opens with Rector Harry Bull (Julian Glover) recounting a chilling tale of the spirits of a cruel priest and victimized nun who supposedly haunt the mansion. At the time, he tells his family it’s only a ghost story. However, 12 years later, after Harry has passed, his children begin seeing frightening images around the rectory.

Julian Glover as Harry

The writing in this movie is mostly incomprehensible. According to the promotional notes, it’s the third installment in a franchise, but it doesn’t do a great job of standing on its own. The script doesn’t establish which characters are returning or what ground has already been covered; the beginning feels more like starting halfway through another movie, and that feeling is sustained throughout the film.

I could forgive the messy writing if the movie still had a solid spooky tone, but it doesn’t manage that either. There are several attempts at jump scares, but none of them pay off, either due to the poor timing, the lack of change in the score or sound effects, or the character design for the ghosts.
The makeup and costume design for the ghosts is especially rough. Normally, I’d give an independent film some grace regarding special effects, since budget restraints are a real issue, but I’ve seen better makeup in community theater productions. This just feels lazy.

The lighting is a little too harsh as well; something about it makes several interior scenes look green-screened, even when I know they aren’t. It’s too bad, because the backdrop of this beautiful, eerie mansion is lovely, all dark, gleaming wood and plush upholstery, but the lighting isn’t doing it any favors. The outdoor scenes are beautifully shot, though.

Patsy Kensit as Constance

The movie’s one saving grace is its acting. The chemistry between the siblings is excellent. Jenna N. Wilson and Lora Hristova give solid, likable performances as Caroline and Mabel Bull. However, the standouts are Jess Inchbald as Kitty Bull, who comes across as very natural and relatable throughout the film, and Charlotte Luxford as Freda Bull; she’s so expressive without being over-the-top, and the dynamic between her and family friend Somerset (Mark Wingett) is especially nice. Corneille Dion Williams is mostly good as the eldest brother, Henry Bull, if a little wooden at times.

The acting and some pretty sets aren’t enough to save this movie, unfortunately. It’s too bad, because apparently these movies are based on a famous haunted house in Essex that was described as the most haunted house in England by psychic researcher Harry Price. Something with such history and renown could make for a really fun horror movie, but Borley Rectory: The Awakening is just a mess. I’d skip watching this one this Halloween.

This film is now available on DVD & digital platforms in the US and UK

What are your thoughts on Borley Rectory?

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