Despite a promising start, Hell House LLC: Lineage squanders its horror goodwill, opting for a clunky, uncertain plot and abrupt ending that leaves viewers floundering in incredulity.
Hell House LLC: Lineage mixes the delightful discomfort renowned in previous films in the franchise, while charting a new path outside the found footage subgenre. Although there’s appreciation because it’s never easy navigating into a new space, the Hell House franchise thrives in the space it began within. Despite a promising start, Hell House LLC: Lineage squanders its horror goodwill, opting for a clunky, uncertain plot and abrupt ending that leaves viewers floundering in incredulity.
Written and directed by Stephen Cognetti (825 Forest Road, Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor), the film returns with some of the previous cast. The focal point of this film is Vanessa Shepherd, played by Elizabeth Vermilyea (825 Forest Road, An Extraordinary Affair), who struggles after the events of the third film, Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire. The third installment felt like a completion of that branch of the story. So, it’s illogical to extend it now.
Hell House LLC: Lineage Struggles With Flimsy Plot
Witnessing the attempts to combine Vanessa’s story with previous films, including Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor, stumbles. This film lacked connective tissue despite the movie’s attempts. It supposedly connects Vanessa to the previous films and unexpected deaths. However, the movie focuses on building a mystery that audiences cannot decipher, and the film itself has no desire to solve.
As such, it bears similarities to 825 Forest Road. The scares work—after all, Stephen Cognetti can build tension without an overreliance on jump scares. However, both films suffer from a thin plot that creates an incomplete climax. So, when the credits roll in Hell House LLC: Lineage, it’s a surprise. It’s as though the movie gave up before it began getting interesting.
Found Footage Is The Series’ Home
While I can appreciate the attempt to move beyond the found footage horror, that’s not what the Hell House LLC franchise is. The found footage aspect added a layer of terror with a looming “how did we get here” for viewers. Plus, this is especially true when combined with a mockumentary style that details the tragedy. To change it after four films disappoints audiences who come for the found footage. So, regardless of the frightening clowns, this standard horror switch and flimsy plot harm Hell House LLC: Lineage.
Cast Feels Adrift
Elizabeth Vermilyea must carry a lot of the film. Unfortunately, with the traditional narrative horror style and a hollow story, there’s no clear emotional arc for her character. Searra Sawka plays a lady dead-set on tackling the Carmichael Manor. She portrays a clichéd character who makes foolish choices for no other reason than to move the story. It’s not the cast’s fault, but the story and dialogue that leave logic by the wayside.
Sure, movies should make money, but it feels as though Hell House LLC: Lineage is a cash grab with no heart or clue what it wants to be. As a fan of the previous films, I sincerely hope this is not the last film. If so, it’s an abysmal note to end the franchise on. The character of Margot from the previous movie was annoying, but she maintained the audience’s attention. Plus, her selfishness explained her frustrating behavior. Nothing about Hell House LLC: Lineage makes sense. Even worse, aside from the occasional frights, it focuses on building a story that lacks direction or emotional connection with audiences to make it matter.
