
In recent years, slow-burn thrillers have almost made their unique mark in the independent filmmaking industry and Jaron Olivo Lanier and Olivia Lanier’s Haunted By Her Name has made a strong progression in this subgenre. Yet, one would do a disservice to this film to reduce it to a certain genre, such as the diversity and richness in its narrative treatment. It is as if Haunted By Her Name is a constructive overlap of multiple genres, for at the same time it is a storyline of a psychological horror with an outdoor drama and a slice-of-life. The film contains lovely cinematography and well-written background music along with convincing characters and solid acting, which makes it fairly easy for the audience to get lost in the movie. The only major flaw, that I believe diminishes the effect of what is otherwise an impressive film, is the finale where all the thrill elements come into play, which throws the final act of the entire movie off.
The documentary forms around a couple of apparently distinctive events examined through the eyes of Karen Taku, the main character of the film. I would consider Haunted By Her Name to be a very fitting title for this film. Karen is currently seen as an investigator looking into the death of her mother. This is what actually draws viewers into the movie because they are baff as to what happened. Haunted By Her Name hits the nail right on the head, as Karen’s mother is the one who commits suicide to finally be rid of her abusive husband. She goes into the water and does not return. They capitalized on the perfect play as it was chilling how immediately after Karen jumped right into the water. This was recorded as Kit Carson, who was also formerly A Lighter Shade of Pale Actor, promptly informs viewers to prepare for a unique setup a voice-over narrated plans or dreams while submerged in the deep end. It was almost painful to watch as right after the reenaction cuts back to Roman times as they are introducing Karen’s life. Karen and Jaron were almost seen together throughout the entire segment, with Karen visiting places with him and him expressing more loving remarks towards his ex Jaron. Cameras were able to capture Jaron and his gentle in-waves beach baby getting ready for the Avad life, and it was during one visit that he slammed his ex. Most narrations were able to provide insights into messages or feelings directed towards mothers since Karen herself was religious, abused, and suffered tragedies.
Jaron can only think about her while driving the van and spending the nights in a camping van though she has left. But then again, Bridget might have not had to worry so much about his emotional state as Jaron often has nightmares where his Ex is much closer than he would prefer and he experiences the disconcerting sensation of something outside the undisturbed camping van too frequently. Things become even worse for both mentally normal and Jaron, who is not very mentally balanced in the first place, when he starts receiving texts and meaningful memories and nostalgia regarding Bridget seem to constantly surround him.
And just like that a very normal person would be feeling very disturbed due to such events, and having no one around and not a soul to offload his problems is the icing on the cake as these circumstances only sound supremely unfavorable, to say the least.
Judah is waiting for his turn when it is his time to call someone to get the van repaired. Subsequently, this leads Judah to a more complicated and rather extreme position when he is stuck in the subway, waiting and hoping that help arrives. Someone helped him immediately as he balanced getting angry with remaining calm too well and was obviously feeling frustrated with how waiting for help made him feel.
As Jaron looks to Judah for numbers from a towing company or a repair service, Judah suggests to him that they go to a campsite nearby for the night and promises to find the means to the necessities the following day. Over care of a tow hitch, Jaron’s van is taken by Judah to the campsite. Jaron discovers that Judah has a similar occupation as him that of playing the guitar and that he is en route to Seattle where he has a performance scheduled at a nearby venue. To start with, Jaron manages to stay cold and keeps possible interaction at a minimum with an overly excitable Judah. In addition to this, Jaron is a man of few words so only pleasantries are exchanged between the two. But at night while Jaron is unaffected by the sight of Bridget, he feels the urge to spend time with Judah. Judah who has had a glimpse of the problems affecting Jaron’s van assures him video screenshots the problem was not weak and promises to have it repaired by someone he knows only for a cost and furthermore explains how expensive going to a normal garage would be. During all this, Jaron listens to what Judah is outlining over a performance establishing contact with Judah, and performing the contact with Judah together.
Upon meeting Jared for the first time, it is too soon for him to find out that their year-day celebration is only a day apart. Despite a tough childhood of being sexually abused by his father, his mother died at an early age, and other events in his life that have shaped his simplistic way of viewing the world, it is easy for Jaron to categorize him as a normal person whom he can trust so he tells him about his disturbing events and some recent traumas too. In his own manner, Judah asks Jaron that he should accept things and try to forget the past memories of Bridget which are distressing Jaron. What is striking is the fact that Jadon’s guidance actually works since for the first time Jaron has a good sleep at night. The day that follows brings some shocking news to Jadon from Judah as he states that the mechanic has already repaired his van. Thereafter, Judah wants to leave after Jaro pays him for the repair. Prior to his journey to Seattle, Judah eats a small piece of cake and smokes cigarettes. In passing, he implies his wish that Jared should come and see him in Seattle.
When Judah took his leave, Jaron stayed back and spent the day at the camping site after which he became quite attached to his new companion within the day, and having spent another trouble-free night, he feels somehow that Judah’s company helped him get over his nightmares or hallucinations which were a symptom of his mental illness. Instead of going back to his home, Jaron takes a left to Seattle to meet Jude, who is very happy and thrilled as he did not expect him to come.
Up to this particular moment, I can say the film is good and pleasant as well as creepy, a film about friendship that manages to touch family relationships. That is, however, flawed in the final act where the twist completely contradicts everything that the movie has been building up, plot-wise. In Jaron’s case, that is once again seeing the night, it is the figure of Bridget that pursues his restless sleep, while the propane gas heater installed in the van develops a leak. Judah rushes to the back of his van and in the next few seconds, the whole story makes sense thanks to Judah who presents a secured Jaron at the spot where Bridget was last seen. Judging from what happened before everything in this scene, Jaron was the reason Bridget took J before her rage put a tragic end to their relationship.
Bridget, who targeted autolysis upon her offspring, endured this traitor from Judah and dated Jaron for a year. But Jaron ended up ghosting her completely after she had to return to Judah’s life. After Bridget’s death, which was allegedly caused by Jaco, Jaco decided to take his revenge on Jaron while plotting with Bridget’s twin sister who was angry with her sister for getting into a relationship with Jaron. However, as Jaco is transfixed by the thought of toying with Jaron, Bridget’s twin successfully stabbed him in the chest before any revenge was taken upon Jaron, whom she feels is responsible for this separation. In a further twist, coming back into focus, Jaco manages to kill Bridget’s twin while simultaneously saving Jaron’s life. Perchance he too with time fell for Jaron while repeating his long-awaited revenge by winning Jaron over.
After leaving the corpse of JP Jude and Brady’s twin at the waterfront, Jaron commandeers Jude’s camper, which remains the home of Bridget, who remains mute and unconscious. brat moans loudly and feels warm. So Jaron rides into the sunset with brat and it is unclear until the end if she is even a real person or just his fantasy.
For More Movies Like Haunted by Her Name Visit on 123Movies