Haunted Connecticut (2022) Review
Spoiler-free so you can read before you watch
Horrorific content by christina on February 08th, 2023 | Movie Review | Haunted, Supernatural, Mystery, Found Footage, Dangerous Exploration, B-Horror, Paranormal Proof
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It's about a documentary film crew that attempts to uncover proof of the paranormal phenomena that are well documented in Conncecticut.
Haunted Connecticut was directed by Tony Cadwell and stars Tony Cadwell and Eric Vitale.
In the first installment of the series Haunted Connecticut, director Tony Cadwell and researcher Eric Vitale visit two well-known haunted locations to obtain evidence of the paranormal. They use an array of devices to document spirit activity and make a concerted effort to communicate with the dead of Connecticut. But, of course, the director of photography Veronica Wood is following their every move.
The title "Haunted Connecticut" is based on the state's seemingly overwhelming quantity of well-documented supernatural happenings. It is also inspired by Ed and Lorraine Warren for their paranormal projects in Connecticut and the founders of NESPR, the New England Society for Psychic Research. Cadwell is trying to find evidence of the supernatural and investigates a list of supposedly haunted locations in Connecticut that NESPR has identified. Vitale and Wood join him, and the group sets out to see if they can find any activity at a site where a murder occurred in 1885.
A spirit box is a device used to capture sounds and words from the beyond, and it appears that something terrible has happened in this building. Lights, floating objects, and unexplained activity create an increasingly eerie feeling, and Vitale has experienced these phenomena. The shadowy, outdated buildings of New England, combined with the dim lighting and jarring camera movements, create a hostile environment, one which spirits may inhabit. Unfortunately, the documentary team cannot acquire the evidence they need for proof of the paranormal, despite the dark history of the building.
Ghost hunting requires patience and clarity of mind, two qualities that Cadwell demonstrates quite well. He is convincing and sets the stage in plain sight for a believable truth and reality. The seeming innocence of Cadwell contrasted against Vitale's calculating and emotionless demeanor is fascinating, even reassuring. The well-placed sound effects and score create a feeling of unease, making the documentary all the more captivating.
The second location on the Haunted Connecticut tour is Captain Grants, an inn built in 1754 that is said to be haunted by the spirits of the dead. The inn is located near a cemetery, adding to the eerie atmosphere. Visitors to the inn have reported seeing ghostly figures, hearing strange noises, and feeling a sense of foreboding. A card game and evidence at the inn's cemetery lead the way to uncover warnings to leave this pursuit. Malfunctioning equipment and Wood's palpable fear show many signs that something is incorrect. Cadwell and Vitale are close to finding evidence of the paranormal. With a new type of magical equipment, they can see that something is following Vitale. He has had an experience like this place before.
The amount of paranormal activity at Captain Grants and on its grounds is overwhelming. It seems as if the ghosts are trying everything they can to make contact, and their message is not pleasant. However, there is something to be said about how this documentary tries to understand the past of those who have not moved on. It looks at whether they are just stuck in another realm or whether they hope to right a wrong and try to engage with all these different angles.
Worth Watching?
As a horror movie director, Cadwell is always prepared for the unexpected and curious about what lies ahead. He doesn't get scared quickly and is interested in what frightening things might be in store. Caldwell's research is evident throughout Haunted Connecticut. The project is well-crafted and, at times, slightly unsettling.
