The Haunting of Hallowbrook Manor (2026) fully embraces the joyful absurdity of supernatural comedy, leaning hard into both spooky atmosphere and laugh-out-loud character work. With Melissa McCarthy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Paul Rudd, and Octavia Spencer sharing the screen, the film knows exactly what kind of ride it’s offering: a haunted house where fear takes a backseat to personality clashes, sharp timing, and ghosts who are frankly bored with eternity.
Melissa McCarthy anchors the film as a washed-up psychic medium whose lack of professionalism becomes her greatest weapon. Her performance is unfiltered, chaotic, and relentlessly physical, turning séances into stand-up routines without ever completely deflating the tension. McCarthy excels at walking the line between ridiculous and oddly sincere, making her character surprisingly likable even when she’s clearly in over her head.
Jamie Lee Curtis brings much-needed balance as the skeptical historian, grounding the madness with intelligence and dry wit. Curtis plays disbelief not as arrogance, but as survival instinct, and her slow transition from rational observer to deeply unsettled participant is one of the film’s most satisfying arcs. Her presence also adds credibility to the horror elements, reminding the audience that something genuinely dangerous may be lurking beneath the jokes.
Paul Rudd slips comfortably into his role as the practical skeptic, delivering understated humor that contrasts nicely with McCarthy’s high-energy chaos. His character’s growing fascination with the manor’s secrets — and his inability to stay calm when confronted with actual ghosts — creates some of the film’s strongest comedic beats. Rudd’s charm keeps the film breezy even when the supernatural stakes rise.
Octavia Spencer provides the emotional core as the sarcastic best friend who unexpectedly bonds with one of the resident spirits. Spencer’s warmth gives the film heart, especially in moments where the ghosts are treated not as punchlines, but as trapped souls with unresolved regrets. Her scenes bring a surprising tenderness that elevates the story beyond pure parody.
Hallowbrook Manor itself is a standout. The production design blends classic gothic horror — creaking staircases, flickering candlelight, hidden corridors — with playful visual gags. The ghosts range from genuinely eerie to delightfully obnoxious, and the film smartly lets the house feel alive without ever overwhelming the human characters.
Tonally, the film leans far more into comedy than terror, but it never completely abandons horror. Jump scares exist, but they’re often undercut by sharp dialogue or absurd reactions, creating a rhythm that keeps the audience laughing while still slightly on edge. The ghosts’ mischievous personalities help maintain this balance, ensuring the scares never become mean-spirited.
Narratively, Hallowbrook Manor doesn’t aim for complexity, but it doesn’t need to. The mystery of the manor’s dark past unfolds at a steady pace, serving mainly as a vehicle for character interactions. While the plot may feel familiar, the chemistry between the leads keeps it engaging and energetic throughout.
The film’s greatest strength is its ensemble dynamic. Each actor understands their role within the group, and no one overshadows the others. The humor feels collaborative rather than competitive, allowing scenes to breathe and jokes to land naturally instead of being forced.
Ultimately, The Haunting of Hallowbrook Manor succeeds because it knows its mission: to deliver spooky fun without taking itself too seriously. It’s not a film designed to haunt your nightmares, but it will absolutely linger in your memory as a comfort-horror comedy packed with charm, chaos, and just enough ghostly mischief to keep things delightfully unhinged.
