Winchester: The House That Ghosts Built (Movie Review)

I love a good ghost story, and none has fascinated me more than the "most haunted house in America", The Winchester Mystery House. So when they made a movie about it, I just had to catch it. This is the first time the Winchester story has been brought to the big screen, and with the way the trailers depicted it...it looks just like any other ghost flick that's come out of Hollywood. Talk about disappointing.
I gave it a go anyhow. The story has captivated me to no end, so out of loyalty I gave it a watch, and I'm glad I did. It was nothing like the trailers made it out to be, and with someone of Helen Mirren's calibre I would've been surprised if it were.
Instead, we get a chilling tale that's just as special as the house its based on.

The story of this legendary house is as follows; Sarah Winchester believes she, and her family name is cursed. Married into the Winchester family, famous for their manufacturing of rifles, poor Sarah lost her husband and 6 week old daughter close to one another. She acquired a huge amount of wealth due to her husbands death, in which she put it all together in building the awe-inspiring Winchester Mansion, with its many rooms, hidden passages, stairs that lead to nowhere, and other intricate design work that also included stained glass windows with Shakespearean quotes, and window frames from the design of a spiders web.
Its believed that Sarah was told to perform such a task by a medium who visited her. She said Sarah needed to build a house for the victims of the Winchester rifles, only then will the spirits be appeased.
Sarah did just that, except she kept building, and building, and building until it was what it is to this day: a massive, marvellous piece of architecture.
Now, there are many who believe the medium was taking the poor, grief stricken widow for a ride, and that there really were no ghosts telling Mrs. Winchester to continuously build until her death. And, to be honest, it does make sense, considering there is still so much mystery over Sarah Winchester that people just don't know about. 'Was she really haunted, and cursed by spirits, or was she just an eccentric female with a love for building?
We'll never really know...but where's the fun in that, eh?

Its because of the ghost story that the house brings visitors to its guided tours, showing guests the many halls, and corridors the building has to offer. They come for the ghosts, but leave falling in love with Sarah Winchester's design works. It really is out of this world, which supports the ghost theory, and its because of the spectral spooks that a movie based on these supposed, real true events has been made. It took them a while, but they finally did it and it doesn't disappoint.

Superbly acted by Helen Mirren, who demands an aura of respect from not just the characters but the audience watching as well. Clothed in black, and with a black veil over her face, Dame Mirren's Sarah Winchester appears just as eccentric, and strange as the stories have made her out to be, but who is just as protective of her family, and the on hand staff that supports her. It would appear her fear of the dead has made her paranoia get the better of her...or has it?
Then there's Jason Clarke, playing Eric Price, a doctor hired by the Winchester Rifles company, who believe that Sarah is unfit to lead said company she has inherited, and this is where my only disappointment with the movie comes in.
Jason Clarke's Dr. Price is the central piece of the film, making Sarah Winchester nothing more than a supporting character in her own story, being overshadowed by a character made purely for the movie.
Fortunately, Jason Clarke does well in playing an over skeptical, level headed doctor, who also harbours a tragic past that connects him to the mysterious house. Clarke is able to hold the movie on his own two shoulders, given excellent support by Helen Mirren, its just I would've rather have seen a story revolve around the title character, as its her story that I feel is more interesting than a fictional backstory given to a male lead, who might've been forgettable if it weren't for the acting chops of the man who portrayed him. Disappointing, yes, but it doesn't damage the movie thankfully.

Naturally, the main star of the show is the house. Recreated for the movie (as the actual building is too cramped to operate around), it was such a thrill to take in the surroundings of a cinematic sound stage, something I haven't seen in a very, very long time.
With Hollywood's heavy use of CGI, it was refreshing to see something a little more practical take centre stage. There is CGI here, of course, but its limited, used only to enhance a scene rather than create one. Its a job well done by the production team, whose efforts must be applauded.
And I would be amiss if I didn't mention the ghosts, as this is the sole reason we're here, and just like the location, the effects that bring the ghosts to, ahem, life is also practical. But if you're expecting ghouls from the likes of Insidious, prepare to be let down. Winchester's spectral residents are grey skinned, white eyed spooks, whose only scare tactic is pulling a tightly worn grimace. What makes them frightening isn't their appearance, but how they make an entrance. Loud, quick flashes of shrieking banshees are sure to give you a start, and while many people are getting just a little sick, and tired of this effect, its a move that stands the test of time.
The mystery of the "big bad ghost" is what keeps this movie going, and how its all tied to the Winchester rifles, the doctor's tortured past and Sarah herself, the narrator of sorts. You can't really fault the writing in that respect, as they were not only trying to attract historians but also the general movie going audience. Liberties have been taken, but its an enjoyable flick none the less.

Its a fantastic ghost story filled with enough intrigue to keep you going to its spooky climax. There is the odd jumpscare, sure, its Hollywood after all, and it may not particularly be a super scary movie it does have a strong story and once it grips you there's no letting go and you'll be as haunted by the house as the otherworldly occupants.