Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor – Shudder Review (3/5)

HELL HOUSE LLC ORIGINS: THE CARMICHAEL MANOR on Shudder is the latest movie in the horror franchise. And it’s good! Of course, it’s best if you’ve watched the previous three movies, but it isn’t strictly necessary. Read our full Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor movie review here!

HELL HOUSE LLC ORIGINS: THE CARMICHAEL MANOR is a new Shudder horror movie from the popular Hell House LLC franchise. This is the third movie in the franchise, and obviously, it’s good to have watched the other three. However, it really isn’t necessary. This movie can easily be watched alone. And be enjoyed!

While I do always expect to be entertained (and terrified to some extent) by the movies in this franchise, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this one. It’s still in the found footage subgenre, and this franchise consistently remains one of the best at using this POV angle to tell a story.

Continue reading our Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor movie review below. Find it on Shudder and AMC+ from October 30, 2023.

Join an Internet sleuth on a case

The story in this origin tale takes place in 2021. We follow a group of internet sleuths, who is mostly one person along with her girlfriend and brother. They are to spend four nights at the remote Carmichael Manor. The supposedly haunted place is located deep in the woods of Rockland County, New York.

It’s always the perfect setting for any horror movie! Well, not Rockland County in New York specifically. No, I’m referring to the remote manor “located deep in the woods”. Yeah, from that description alone it’s a big ol’ “No!” from me.

In any case, the estate (or rather the title “character” of this movie) is the site of the infamous 1989 Carmichael family murders. The murders are still unsolved to this day, so obviously, it’s a place Internet sleuths want to check out. What the group of three will soon discover are secrets that have been hidden away for decades.

Well, that and the brutal terror lurking in the shadows long before Hell House.

The Hell House LLC movies always get to me

Whenever a movie makes me want to look away, I know it’s doing something right. And yes, the Hell House LLC movies do always manage to get under my skin. I mean, it is creepy with the simple noises and clowns lurking in the corners!

If you’re new to this horror franchise, you can still jump right in on this fourth movie. Sure, it’s best to have watched the previous three movies, but it isn’t strictly necessary. Having watched the previous movies will simply allow you to recognize certain places and characters. Still, you can truly enjoy this one on its own.

It has its own story that – while it ties into the other movies – isn’t reliant on viewers being familiar with the universe. The upside for newcomers is, of course, that they have more movies to look forward to.

Watch Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor on Shudder and AMC+

As with all the other movies in the Hell House LLC franchise, the writer and director is still Stephen Cognetti. This is his horror baby and one that is a big part of the horror franchise as well as accepted into the horror family. The film is produced by Joe Bandelli, with Joe Dain and Jim Klock executive producing for Terror Films Releasing.

We’ve been fond of this horror franchise since the first movie. It’s so clearly a passion project that makes the most of both its budget as well as cast and crew. Just stick around for the end credits and you’ll notice how short they are and how many people (and places) are thanked. A relatively small crew along with help from local locations are resulting in horror magic.

BTW, do stay tuned for an end-credit scene!

Also, the special effects are very practical and simple effects that work so much better than in many big-budget horror movies. I’m sure The Nun spent more on special effects than the entire budget of this movie. And to be fair, Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor is a better horror movie. The title is a mouthful, but hopefully, it’s a necessary evil that means we’ll be getting more origin stories.

We don’t do half ratings here at Heaven of Horror, but I do want to mention that I would give this a 3½ out of 5 if we did.

Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor will be available on Shudder and AMC+ on October 30, 2023.

Details

Director: Stephen Cognetti
Writer: Stephen Cognetti
Cast: Bridget Rose Perrotta, Destiny Leilani Brown, James Liddell, Gideon Berger, Cayla Berejikian, Victoria Andrunik