Haunted Library Holds Keys to Mystery

Read Time:4 Minute, 5 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
What Happened to Dorothy Bell?
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 20m
Director(s): Danny Villanueva Jr.
Writer(s): Danny Villanueva Jr.
Cast: Asya Meadows, Michael Hargrove, Lisa Wilcox, Arlene Armone Bibbs, Steven Alonte
Where To Watch: shown at Fantastic Fest 2024

RAVING REVIEW: In Danny Villanueva Jr.’s latest film, WHAT HAPPENED TO DOROTHY BELL? the audience is brought into a world woven with supernatural elements and intense psychological drama. Central to this chilling narrative is Ozzie Gray (Asya Meadows,) whose investigation into her grandmother Dorothy Bell’s (Arlene Arnone Bibbs) mysterious past serves as the main thread of this intriguing blend of fear and family secrets. The film navigates the murky waters of psychological thrillers and ghostly tales, making for a gripping journey into the unknown.

Ozzie’s quest to decipher her grandmother’s passing leads her back to an eerie library—the last place Dorothy was seen alive. This setting quickly transforms from a mere backdrop to a character holding its own, echoing Ozzie’s fragmented mental state and escalating her quest from curiosity to a full-blown confrontation. Villanueva captures the essence of this haunting locale, using it to amplify the psychological stakes of confronting one’s past with shadows and corners used to hide the unknown.

The film employs a diverse arsenal of found footage, from traditional video to security feeds, creating a disorienting experience that mirrors Ozzie’s descent into chaos. This blend heightens the suspense and immerses viewers in a whirlpool of reality and illusion, with each frame to further unsettle and engage the audience.

At the core of WHAT HAPPENED TO DOROTHY BELL? is a deep dive into the themes of family ties and the often-hidden struggles with mental health. Meadows delivers an emotionally charged performance as Ozzie, effectively capturing the character’s inner turmoil and resilient spirit as she faces daunting revelations. Her portrayal transcends the typical horror protagonist, offering a layered exploration of personal identity shadowed by ancestral trauma.

The horror in this film does more than startle; it explores the terror of the human mind and the curses we inherit. Ozzie’s encounters with otherworldly entities are not just scares but symbolic of the traumatic history the characters grapple with, weaving a narrative where the true horror is as psychological as it is paranormal.

The supporting cast, including horror stalwarts Lisa Wilcox as Dr. Robin Connelly and Michael Hargrove playing Darren Gray, enhances the film’s ominous atmosphere. Their seasoned performances add to the unfolding mystery, interplaying with Meadows’ portrayal to ratchet up the tension as the plot spirals toward darkness.

Villanueva’s manipulation of the supernatural and psychological aspects is handled with a specific vision, turning the haunted library into a battleground for Ozzie’s sanity. This duality keeps the tension razor-sharp, with the narrative unwinding unpredictably and exhilaratingly.

While WHAT HAPPENED TO DOROTHY BELL? boasts many strengths, it is not without flaws. The pacing occasionally stumbles, mainly as the climax builds, where a tighter edit could have kept the suspense tighter. Nevertheless, these moments are brief and hardly diminish the film’s compelling nature.

Villanueva tackles the found footage genre with innovative storytelling techniques. These techniques allow the audience to step into Ozzie’s shoes, experiencing her disorientation and fear firsthand. This approach enhances the story and blurs the lines between film and reality, pulling the viewer deeper into the labyrinth.

WHAT HAPPENED TO DOROTHY BELL? offers a riveting blend of traditional horror and psychological insight. It invites viewers to ponder more profound horrors—those of familial legacies and mental complexities. This film is a must-see for anyone who values a horror experience that challenges the psyche as thoroughly as it entertains.

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[photo courtesy of HOW BIZARRE PICTURES]

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