The Haunting Of Hollywood, Lilia Doytchinova’s feature-length debut, is a character-driven narrative that explores the emotional and psychological effects of the past. The dramatic parable horror tale begins with Olivia (Tiffany Downey) lamenting how having her son, James (Chance Caeden), prevented her from the Hollywood fame she was owed. So, she ropes James into filming her auditions and tests to try and break back in. Unfortunately, things don’t pan out the way Olivia always dreamt of, and she flings herself off of the Hollywood sign.
Years later, James (William Mann) is an aspiring director who decides to helm a documentary about the history of the Hollywood sign. Alongside his best friend Casey (David Lami Friebe) and girlfriend Skyler (Stefanie Infante), James hikes the trail toward the famous sign. But each step echoes his tumultuous past. Soon, Olivia is haunting James and the production of his documentary. Or is it all in his head, and that being in such a tragic place is messing with his perception?
The Haunting Of Hollywood is a slow-burn character study of how narcissism and neglect can affect somebody years after the torment ends. James is quiet and reserved, but there’s a real reason for his low energy. Olivia’s deluded belief in her own greatness is only shown in snippets but comes across strongly, as it needs to for the story’s themes to work.
“…Olivia is haunting James and the production of his documentary.”
Unfortunately, the more overt horror elements are less secure. Specifically, the first sequence involving Joseph Lopez as a mystery figure who becomes essential at the end feels like it is from an entirely different movie. The extreme close-ups and angled camera positions don’t jive with the style presented before and after. The horror that stems from the personal entanglement of the past and present colliding before James’s eyes is great. The more traditional jump scare style creeps, though, do not work at all.
Mann’s portrayal of James is a masterclass in emotional depth. He’s aloof yet likable, confused but determined, drawing the audience into his character’s journey. Infante’s humane performance grounds the proceedings, bringing out the emotional truth of the themes. Downey excels in her pivotal though brief role, looming large over everything that happens. Lopez’s appropriately creepy and strange performance, despite the filmmaking issues surrounding his major scene, adds a layer of intrigue.
The Haunting Of Hollywood is effective when focusing on the characters and the horrifying and dramatic effects the past can have on people. The actors are compelling and deliver robust, humanized performances. For the most part, the directing brings forth the truth of the emotional baggage and trauma being dealt with. But when it goes into full horror mode, the style does not mesh and becomes jarring.
For more information, visit the official The Haunting Of Hollywood site.
"…compelling..."
