Here's another predictable haunted house horror film, showcasing a woman struggling with grief and mental distress within the confines of her new home. **The Disappointments Room** attempts to transform familiar scares into something unsettling but ultimately feels like an unnecessary addition to the genre, blending supernatural suspense with themes of mental illness in a clumsy way. Unlike more effective recent examples like David F. Sandberg’s _Lights Out_, director D.J. Caruso fails to create a believable psychological foundation that would give the story depth or a sense of genuine dread. **The Disappointments Room** simply offers tepid thrills, the kind you might expect from a standard psychological horror movie. It's no surprise that **The Disappointments Room** sat unreleased for several years after its distributor, Relativity Media, faced financial difficulties in 2015. Perhaps it should have stayed hidden, as it doesn’t bring anything fresh or truly frightening to the well-worn territory of haunted house stories. Kate Beckinsale, who recently appeared in _Love & Friendship_, seems out of place in this unremarkable film. She plays Dana, a grieving mother who moves her family from Brooklyn to rural North Carolina hoping for emotional relief after losing her baby daughter. Her husband, David (Mel Raido), and young son, Lucas (Duncan Joiner), join her, seeking an escape from their sadness. They purchase a large but rundown estate intending it as a peaceful retreat, where Dana can use her architectural skills to restore the property. As expected, the house holds secrets, which Dana uncovers when she finds a hidden attic room opened by a missing key. Chaos ensues as a result of her curiosity. The once-peaceful manor becomes a disturbing nightmare for Dana, who is now haunted by unsettling visions. She encounters ghostly figures, including the former owner, Judge Blacker (Gerald McRaney), and his menacing dog. When she's not battling supernatural forces, Dana must also deal with the irritating advances of local handyman Ben (Lucas Till). Dana is understandably distressed as the house’s spirits seem to be attacking her already fragile mental state. She tries to convince her family that there are threatening entities in the house, but they dismiss her concerns as lingering grief over their daughter's death. Can Dana overcome her personal struggles and confront the sinister forces at play? Will she find peace while dealing with these supernatural threats and protecting her son Lucas, especially after feeling like she failed to prevent his sister’s passing? Caruso and Wentworth Miller share scriptwriting duties on **The Disappointments Room**, attempting to add unexplained spooky elements and burden Beckinsale's character with psychological struggles. However, the familiar haunted house tropes and Beckinsale’s portrayal of maternal vulnerability are presented in a slow and drawn-out manner. There aren't enough genuine thrills to elevate **The Disappointments Room** beyond another predictable horror film. While Beckinsale tries to bring depth to her role, she comes across as simply anxious. Although Caruso makes an effort to create a psychological horror project by weaving together Dana’s emotional turmoil, the house’s supernatural occurrences, and the unwanted attention from Ben, these elements don't quite mesh seamlessly, resulting in a disjointed rhythm. It’s nostalgic for fans of American television to see familiar faces like McRaney (“Simon & Simon”, “Major Dad”, “Designing Women”), Celia Weston (“Alice”) and Joely Fisher (“Ellen”, “Til Death”), but their talents are largely wasted in this disappointing horror film. It's unlikely that **The Disappointments Room** will be remembered alongside classic haunted house films like _The Amityville Horror_ or even _Panic Room_. **The Disappointments Room** (2016) Relativity Studios 1 hr. 40 mins. Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Mel Raido, Gerald McRaney, Lucas Till, Duncan Joiner, Joely Fisher, Celia Weston, Michael Landes Directed and Co-Written by: D.J. Caruso MPAA Rating: R Genre: Horror/Psychological Thriller/Supernatural Drama Critic’s Rating: ** stars (out of 4 stars) (c) Frank Ochieng 2016

Source on TMDB