An American Haunting

Synopsis

An American Haunting tells the chilling story of the Bell Witch haunting, where a family in Tennessee is tormented by a malevolent spirit in the early 19th century. Donald Sutherland portrays John Bell, the father who becomes the primary target of the supernatural entity's wrath. As events escalate, the Bell family's struggles lead to a series of terrifying and unexplained phenomena, causing skepticism and fear in the community. Through a blend of horror and mystery, the movie unravels the dark secrets behind the haunting and the tragic consequences faced by those involved.

Cast

• 

  Donald Sutherland

  John Bell

• 

  Sissy Spacek

  Lucy Bell

• 

  Rachel Hurd-Wood

  Betsy Bell

• 

  James D'Arcy

  Richard Powell

• 

  Matthew Marsh

  James Johnston

• Thom Fell

  John Bell Jr.

Reviews

An American Haunting received mixed reviews upon its release in 2005. While some critics praised the film's eerie atmosphere and Donald Sutherland's performance, others found fault in its narrative pacing and reliance on jump scares. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a low 13% rating, citing that the film failed to deliver genuine scares. Metacritic rated it at 38 out of 100, indicating generally unfavorable reviews. IMDb users rated it 5.0 out of 10, with opinions ranging from appreciation for its historical context to disappointment in its execution. Despite its flaws, the movie offers a unique take on the classic haunted house trope and manages to evoke a sense of dread and unease.