It’s a story about fear in rural America, a family driven to the edge, and a curse that has lingered for generations and kept an icy grip on the land where it was born. Which is a real shame, because the legend at the heart of the film is richer, deeper, and much more terrifying than anything that made it onscreen. The film was met with harsh criticism that acknowledged its polished look and capable acting, but asked: “Wasn’t it supposed to be scary?” Sadly, audiences and critics alike just didn’t get the thrills and chills they were expecting from An American Haunting. The film was based on the novel “The Bell Witch: An American Haunting” by Brett Monahan, which claimed in turn to be based on a real American legend. The film was written and directed by Courtney Solomon and boasted an all-star cast including Donald Sutherland, James D’arcy, and Rachel Hurd-Wood. In 2005, Sissy Spacek, famous for her brilliant, blood-soaked performance in DePalma’s adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie, returned to the world of horror cinema with An American Haunting.
