Alright, friends, let’s dive into “The Haunting” (or “No-Do” as some of you might know it)! This Spanish flick tantalized me right from the opening credits. I mean, Spain, horror – what’s not to love? And there’s this persistent, eerie atmosphere that gets under your skin like an ice-cold dip in the Stockholm archipelago.

So, plot in a nutshell: It’s about this couple who move into a creaky, old house – as you do – and then all kinds of supernatural shenanigans start happening. There’s a priest with a dark past, some spooky kids, and a lot of “what the heck” moments. Now, I’ve gotta admit, the storyline can be a bit of a head-scratcher. It jumps around in time more than an episode of “Doctor Who.”

What really got me was the cinematography. It’s hauntingly beautiful (pun totally intended). The director, Elio Quiroga, knows how to play with light and shadow in ways that made me jump out of my seat a few times. And let me tell you, I’m not easy to scare. Well, except that one time I watched “The Exorcist” alone – but that’s another story for another review.

Here’s where I get personal. The movie touches on themes of guilt and unresolved pasts. It reminded me a bit of that one summer at my mormor’s cottage when we found out about some old family secrets. That eerie feeling of truth being stranger than fiction? This film nails it.

Let’s talk about the acting. Ana Torrent, who plays Francesca, brings a deep, emotional weight to her role. Her eyes, my God, they tell stories on their own. But, and here’s a bit of a letdown, some of the supporting cast felt a bit wooden, like they were just going through the motions.

A quick note on the pacing – it lingers a bit too long in places. It’s like that one IKEA trip where you get stuck in the lighting section, and just when you think you’re out, there’s another aisle. Confusing, right? That’s how some of the scenes feel.

Overall, “The Haunting” (No-Do) is one for the horror aficionados. Not perfect, but it’s got that old-school ghost story charm and a few genuine scares. Grab a blanket, turn off the lights, and give it a go – just maybe not when you’re home alone.

To see for yourself you can check out the trailer here: The Haunting