I am a big fan of the Hell House horror movie franchise. I have reviewed the first Hell House movie before, which I really enjoyed, but the sequel was a bit of a letdown and the weakest entry into the franchise in my view, while still being watchable and certainly not terrible.
Plot Overview
For those who haven't seen the first film, watching the sequel can be quite confusing. The events and characters from the first film are referenced and play a significant role in the sequel and I highly recommend to watch the first Hell House before diving into the second one to fully understand the story.
The focus of Hell House LLC II is primarily on the aftermath of the first film and takes place eight years after the events of the first movie. The setting has shifted to the present day, and the main character, Suzy McCombs, is a reporter investigating the disappearances that have been occurring since that fateful night at the Abaddon Hotel.
Suzy hosts a morning show called "Morning Mysteries," where she seeks answers about whether the events of the first movie were real or just a hoax. She is determined to uncover the truth behind the history of the Aberdeen Hotel and the secrets that the town has been keeping.
As She delves deeper into her investigation, she encounters other characters who also have their own motivations for exploring the hotel. The sequel follows a similar structure to the original movie, with a mix of documentary-style investigation and the characters' own experiences inside the haunted hotel.
The sequel maintains the atmosphere of the original and the Aberdeen Hotel continues to be a central location, with the film exploring more of the history of the hotel, including the role of Andrew Tully, the former owner of the Abaddon.
Structure and Shifts
Hell House LLC II utilizes time shifts to tell its story, which can be both intriguing and confusing.. The film incorporates interview and documentary footage to add depth and context to the events of the first film and these shifts between past and present, along with the use of different formats, does help to build suspense and create a sense of mystery.
The jarring and messy feel of the shifts can be both a strength and a weakness of the film though, as on one one hand, it does add to the atmosphere and keeps you interested, but, on the other hand, it can lead to confusion and hinders the overall storytelling experience and disrupts the flow of the narrative.
Scares and Atmosphere
The filmmakers behind the movie have a knack for crafting genuine scares and just like in the first film, they know how to build suspense and create an unsettling atmosphere.
One of the best aspects of the film is the scenes set within the Abaddon hotel itself. The dilapidated setting, coupled with flickering lights and ghostly sounds, adds to that overall sense of unease and the filmmakers use these elements to their advantage, heightening the tension and and making you feel like you cannot take your eyes of it,
From jump scares to unsettling visuals, the film delivers several moments that will make you jump out of your seat (Maybe). The atmospheric elements of the film also contribute to its impact, there is a sense of foreboding through the use of lighting, sound design, and set design, which is brilliant and the Abaddon hotel itself becomes a character in the film, with its dark corridors and hidden secrets.
Weaknesses in Storytelling
While Hell House LLC II offers a continuation of the events from the first film, it falls short in terms of storytelling. The lack of good storytelling in the film is evident from several aspects, including the poor acting and presentation and the setup of the film can be messy and the pacing feels jarring at times.
The poor acting and presentation also hinders the ability to fully engage as much as the original and the performances were nowhere near as strong And the injection of misplaced humor throughout the film feels out of place too.
Final Rating and Conclusion
I would give the movie a rating of 5.5. While it falls short in terms of storytelling and has its share of flaws, it still offers a half decent continuation of the events from the first film and delivers some good moments. [Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel on IMDB]
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Check out a few of my other horror movie reviews on Horror Movies Nerd.
Lake Mungo Review
Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022 Review
The Babadook Review
Noroi: The Curse Review
The Howling Franchise Reviewed
Child's Play Review
The Wretched Review
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