Hell House LLC is one of my favourite franchises. It’s one of my top three favourites in the horror movie field. We, fans, have waited so long, not that long, for a new installment in the franchise. It’s here, The Carmichael Manor. Here’s my spoiler-free review!

The Overall View Of The Hell House LLC Franchise

You are missing out if you do not know about the Hell House LLC horror movie franchise! You may not be a fan of the found footage genre, but if you’re part of the horror community, you might know that Hell House LLC is the exception!

Hell House LLC is a very professionally made found-footage horror movie franchise. Many people who dislike the genre appreciate Hell House LLC. The filming is natural and stable, even in moments of panic. The scenes are always clear in imagery and sound.

Hell House LLC isn’t a gore fest or slow-burn horror movie. Found footage is also much more than shaky cameras and up-and-down volume dialogue. The franchise is handled with a strong story and outstanding performances from actors who are impressive in their roles. Yes, I have a crush on the Alex character and grew fond of Sara. The performances and story are believable.

The franchise even created one of the most horrifying clowns seen on horror screens. The evil third clown! That face followed me in my nightmares for weeks! I’ve watched horror movies since childhood, and that clown is still one of the creepiest things I’ve seen!

The Overall Story Of Hell House LLC

Hell House LLC revolves around a building once known as the Abaddon Hotel in the fictional town of Abaddon in Rockland County, New York. A group of haunted house builders and friends purchased the abandoned hotel to turn it into a horror haunted house installation, Hell House LLC. Of course, it all goes to hell when, little by little, the hotel reacts to their presence, and pieces connect to a bigger story than a possessed landmark.

In the sequel, The Abaddon Hotel becomes the focus when an internet political news crew takes on the Hell House LLC case. With the help of a technician from the first movie who interviewed the survivor, Sarah, they investigate the hotel. Sadly, the place reacts to their presence, and the third clown dummy shows more of his demonic skills.

The third installment, Lake Of Fire, tells the story of a theatre company, Insomnia, performing at the Abaddon Hotel. A news crew follows the show’s owner to interview the actors, stage workers, and others working. Strange occurrences and apparitions build up to a moment where everything comes down in ashes. The satanic cult from the first movie might be dismantled for good…or not.

But What About Origins And Carmichael Manor?

Each installment of Hell House LLC has a group of people, but the mention of Alex, Sara, Andrew, Paul, and Tony occurs. They even make a ‘return’ in the third installment. It is different in this fourth movie.

Origins predates is not a prequel like most people believed it would be. We learn how and why it all began, but the story follows the trilogy of events that predates it. We are following the event chronologically. This is something that I very much appreciate from the talented Stephen Cognetti. The movies are coming out in order, and there are no jumps in the timeline.

We are moving from the Abaddon Hotel to the mansion of the Carmichael in the town over from Abaddon. Instead of a group of people investigating the landmark or establishing a permanent set for a show, it’s a trio of internet mystery case solvers. In fact, the story revolves around the recollection of one investigator, her girlfriend, and her brother.

It is an all-new approach for Hell House LLC but also close to home. We still have the found footage criteria, the reinforcement of the documentary staples of professionals telling the story in between segments, but with a new location and new people. The fresh approach is all about having a story within the story! Yup!

The Spoiler-Free Summary Of Hell House LLC Origins – The Carmichael Manor

Margot Bentley is an internet unsolved mystery investigator, and together with her brother Chase and girlfriend, Rebecca, they decide to spend a week at the Carmichael Manor, where the Abaddon Hotel seems to have a direct link to the murders that happened.

Throughout their stay, the story of the Carmichael murders and the Abaddon Hotel unravel and reveal a sinister past. Knowing the demonic presence that took over the hotel, will the trio make it out of it alive, or will we learn that the creepy clown is actually more than a possessed demented prop?

Everything has a reason to be in the Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor as everything takes its rightful place in history and begins a new chapter in its story.

What Were My Thoughts While Watching Hell House LLC Origins?

The movie has the same recipe as the first two installments. However, it initially felt strange with an entirely new location and actors. But quickly, I found myself engrossed in the story with this new chapter as I wanted to know about the history of what started everything for the Abaddon Hotel.

The moment I felt away from Hell House LLC was the moment when memorabilia from the first movie came into play. Everything has a reason to be in this franchise, and the attention to detail makes it unique. If I didn’t have coulrophobia before, I certainly do now with the story behind those props, again, shown in the first two movies.

The movie has a similar pace to its predecessor, and viewers are not treated like simple people watching it. The characters are intelligent and act as such throughout the movie. Their reactions and actions are believable because they are relatable. The characters film everything, so when something incredible happens, they show it rather than act like they don’t have proof.

There are no jump scares because that isn’t what Hell House LLC is about. There are sudden occurrences, but not the typical black cat coming out of nowhere. Like its predecessors, Hell House LLC Origins‘ horror is in the corners, at a distance, hidden and then revealed. It is worth every second.

What Did I Think Of The Storyline Of Hell House LLC Origins?

Nothing will beat the first installment, but this story is as strong as the sequel. This fourth installment is intense and easily beats Lake of Fire‘s content and story. The characters are also more likable and relatable.

The way the history of the manor and murders unravels is also coherent and chronological. At no point in the movie did I feel lost or missing something or some details. The movie’s strength is in the pace at which the story is revealed, and the build-up is incredible when it happens.

How the Abaddon Hotel and Hell House LLC become part of the plot is also done with finesse. The universe pulls you in, and I felt part of the story. I never participated in a larp, yet I think Hell House LLC would make a fantastic live-action role-playing story!

The characters are well-developed, and their story arc fits their personalities and what happens throughout the movie. As more of the town and people involved in the murders are revealed, the more the evil in the place wakes up and builds up for the climax and ending of the movie, which is excellent.

My Final Thoughts On Hell House LLC Origins

As a franchise fan, I might not be entirely objective, but again, I don’t want one of my favourite trilogies to be butchered because of a fourth movie. I am not disappointed in the least! I even wish there were merchandise about this gem of a franchise!

To all horror movie fans out there, I highly recommend the movies. If you have yet to see the trilogy, watch it chronologically to appreciate the work put into this fantastic universe.

Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor comes to Shudder on October 30th, 2023. Shudder has the entire trilogy and welcomes the new fourth installment. I highly recommend the streaming service if you are a horror movie enthusiast. It has everything a horror fan needs!

So, on this high note, I wish you a spooky Halloween and a mind-blowing Samhain! Trick ‘n Treat yourself with the Hell House LLC binge-watching movies, and let me know what you think about it in the comments below!

Happy and Creepy Halloween and Samhain!
The OCD Vampire