Horror Movie Review: The Halfway House (2004)

Kenneth J. Hall (writer and director) crafted something quite special with The Halfway House. Turning a no-budget piece of trash inspired by various elements of H.P. Lovecraft into a silly, sexy and fun creature feature that pays homage to classic horror in clever ways. It’s not a great film by any stretch, but a ton of effort was put in to make it special, and that counts for a hell of a lot.

The film stars Janet Tracy Keijser as Larissa Morgan and Shawn Savage as Sgt. Dick Sheen. The former enlisting the help of the latter when her sister goes missing after going into The Mary Magdalen Halfway House for troubled girls. She’s not the first either, and Sgt Sheen is convinced that something sinister is going on inside, he just needs proof. Alas, his superiors aren’t supportive and any attempts to dig around is thwarted by the ever-watchful eye of Sister Cecelia (Mary Woronov).

Seeing an opportunity to get inside, Larissa convinces Dick to let her go undercover as a ‘troubled girl’. Once inside, she can snoop about and find the police officer some evidence that can help prove to his superiors that the halfway house is involved with the disappearing girls.

It’s a good idea, except what is going on inside is far more dangerous than either could have predicted. Not only does Larissa have to deal with some ‘mean girls’ determined to put her in her place, but she has to deal with a perverted priest who likes to spank the naughty, a creepy handyman who is probably on several registers, and something truly ancient and evil in the basement. In true Lovecraftian fashion.

Fun, right? It really is and the story is told in tight and focused fashion. Kenneth J. Hall makes sure to target a specific type of audience with a glut of sex and gore. Delivered in a tongue in cheek way that adds touches of comedy. Not laugh out loud stuff, but comedy moments none the less.

What makes The Halfway House work is that everyone gets it and works hard to make it an enjoyable watching experience. The cast giving it their all, the effects team doing wonders with very little money, the production team making it look so much more than it is, a director capable of getting the best out of every scene, it all just works. Even the pacing of the story is nailed, with the ramping up and reveal done steadily, leading to a crazy ending that will be, for some, too silly. Personally, I was invested by that point and just enjoying myself. I think you will too, provided you don’t set your expectations too high.

It’s trash, but good trash.