The Dead Room Trailer (2016)

Trailer for The Dead Room, starring Jed Brophy.

Step inside the Dead Room, where something sinister guards a home’s horrifying secrets. Inspired by a 1970s urban legend, this atmospheric nerve-shredder follows two scientists (Jeffrey Thomas & Jed Brophy) and a young psychic (Laura Petersen) as they travel to the countryside to investigate mysterious goings on at a remote farmhouse. Skepticism quickly turns to terror, as the researchers’ presence unsettles a seriously angry demonic presence possessing the home. Upping the haunted house movie ante with visceral camerawork and unsettling sound-design, The Dead Room creates a sense of palpable danger lurking in every corner and hallway.

The Dead Room is based on a historic farmhouse located in New Zealand. The filmmakers visited the actual location during pre-production and reported experiencing strange problems while there. One such story they reported was the farmhouse's famous front door. The door his  a history of opening by itself and, upon arrival, the crew discovered the door ajar, though it had two locks on it. Spooky!

The nice thing about The Dead Room is that it is actually inspired by real events. What I'm wondering is if the blue hallways shown in the film's trailer are a direct match to the real farmhouse; because that color choice is terrifying.

All kidding aside, it's pretty impressive what The Dead Room can achieve with a minimal cast put inside a creepy house. Lacking somewhat of a backstory -- such as why is the house possessed? -- the film looks to depend entirely on the fact that old houses are typically creepy with their unexplained sounds and creaks. Director Jason Stutter took advantage of this fact by using Acoustic Science's new Rumble technology, which allows the sounds and music to literally shake and vibrate the movie theater. Just another way to get audiences to jump out of their seats. 

Toss in some heavy paranormal events to shock viewers, and that's just about it. It doesn't sound like much, but it might explain why the film's running time is short of 90 minutes.