Rent The Haunting of Sophie (2018)

The Carillon - The Haunting of Sophie review by NP

This is a frustrating film to watch. The atmospheric cinematography, creepy sound design and good use of locations is undone by much of the acting, or lack of it. Rachel Daigh as Annabelle is fine, but most of the other actors simply look bored. Antonio Lujak brings some impressive eyebrows to Doctor Loris but very little else. Strangely, the supporting cast delivers much better performances than the main, although some have been very awkwardly dubbed.

There’s often a problem with juvenile actors taking major roles. Annabelle is often reduced to dramatically shouting for her daughter whilst in her underwear; that the little girl is unable to produce any kind of emotion makes her sullen and precocious rather than troubled and needing to be ‘understood.’

There’s a sense of ‘better done elsewhere’ with many of the scare effects – if this is the first horror film you’ve ever seen, it might score a few chills. Otherwise, there’s a good chance you’ve seen most of the set pieces before. Blurred images stand behind characters; when they turn around, they’re gone. You get the idea. Also, the pacing is leaden and never really picks up.

This Italian production is mildly effective on occasion but is unlikely to give anyone nightmares. My score is 4 out of 10.