The Banishing: Another Haunted House Movie to Anticipate?

“There’s evil here,” a man warns ominously at the end of the trailer for The Banishing. Gulp. What are we in for with this new haunted house movie that’s due out April 15 on Shudder?

I don’t know, but if haunted house movies are your jam, you’re in a luck. This new trailer follows on the heels of one for The Inheritance that will also be out in April. It sort of has The Haunting of Hill House vibes. So what does The Banishing look like?

Because it’s a period horror movie, at first glance it reminded me a bit of The Others…until it didn’t. It looks even more intense than that.

Basically, it looks creepy AF!

It’s got disembodied voices in the night, creepy figures, and even creepier dolls. Oh, and some kind of creepy game.

As a writer I know it’s bad to reuse a word over and over again, but watch the trailer (below) and I bet you’ll agree “creepy” really sums things up.

If the movie is anything as good as the trailer, it’s going to be an instant horror classic! Let’s take a look at its storyline and trailer, including a couple of the creepiest parts.

The Banishing Storyline

Here’s what the description states that accompanies the trailer on YouTube:

From acclaimed genre director Chris Smith (Creep, Severance, Triangle) comes the true story of the most haunted house in England. A young reverend and his wife and daughter move into a manor with a horrifying secret. When a vengeful spirit haunts the little girl and threatens to tear the family apart, the reverend and his wife are forced to confront their beliefs. They must turn to black magic by seeking the help of a famous Occultist…or risk losing their daughter.

The Banishing stars Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey), John Heffernan (Collateral ), John Lynch (The Terror) and Sean Harris (the Mission: Impossible franchise).

Obviously, I now want to know what “the most haunted house in England” is that the movie is based on and who the famous Occultist is that the family seeks the aid of. I have some guesses about both, but more research is needed. Expect a follow-up post about this.

Two of the Trailer’s Creepiest Parts

There is some great imagery in the trailer, such as a hooded and cloaked figure hovering over a bed. That’s not what made my hair stand up though.

It was two exchanges between the daughter and her mom.

The first is when the little girl is telling her mom about certain rooms. I’m not sure if she’s got the house’s rooms mapped out on her bedroom floor, or if she’s pointing to a dollhouse, but she says something to the effect, “And over here is the bedroom, and there’s the dining room,” etc.

The mother asks, “What is this room?”

The little girl replies, “You’re not to go there. You’re forbidden.”

WTH is that all about?

The second “WTH moment” is when the mom and daughter are in a hallway playing a game. The mom is walking away but turns to look over her shoulder every time the daughter calls out, “What time is it, Mr. Wolf?”

Is that the name the little girl says? She says some kind of name but I’m not positive it’s “Mr. Wolf.” If you hear something different, please shout!

But the third time the mom turns around, the daughter has vanished.

Um…not sure where she went but I have a feeling this is cueing up for a jump-scare scene. Whether it is or not, I’ll be ready for it.

Take a look at the trailer for yourself and see if any parts creep you out.

The Banishing Trailer

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So…did any parts for the trailer raise your hair too?