Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel

Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel is a riveting American found-footage supernatural horror film directed by Stephen Cognetti. Released in 2018, this movie stands as a substantial sequel to its predecessor, Hell House LLC (2015). Vas Eli, Jillian Geurts, and Joy Shatz are among the cast that brings to life this electrifying plot centered on the notoriously haunted Abaddon Hotel.

Set nearly one decade after the unspeakable massacre during the Hell House Halloween Horror Night, Hell House LLC II sways away from typical horror flick tropes and unfolds an engaging plot gifted with an unsettling atmosphere. The movie unravels the sinister occurrences linked to the infamous abandoned hotel located in the fictitious town of Abaddon in New York's Rockland County.

The movie opens with a tense prologue where we see a distressed woman, Sue, whose son, Daniel, mysteriously disappeared after being dared by his friends to go inside the haunted Abaddon Hotel. Despite the horrifying circumstances surrounding the hotel and the terrifying past events that transpired on the location, Daniel and his friends are inexplicably drawn into the eeriness that seems to permeate every crevice of its decrepit structure. This escalates the mystery revolving around this haunting location and the hidden darkness lurking within its walls.

Vas Eli admirably delivers the character of Mitchell Cavanaugh, a quick-witted and quite cynical entrepreneur looking to exploit the reputation of the Abaddon Hotel for financial gain. Mitch has set his sights on reopening the hotel and capitalizing on its infamy; however, he hasn't truly grasped the magnitude of the malevolence inhabiting the place.

Jillian Geurts portrays Jessica Fox, an ambitious television journalist intrigued by the mysteries of the Abaddon Hotel. She believes that unraveling the truth behind the gruesome events at the hotel, especially what happened during the Hell House Halloween Horror Night, will be a career-defining achievement. Yet, she is oblivious of the deadly secrets that the hotel has been nurturing for years.

Joy Shatz delivers a convincing performance as Molly, the caring and apprehensive friend to Jessica. As the narrative unfolds, Molly desperately tries to prevent Jessica from digging deeper into the haunted history of the hotel, fearing the dreadful consequences that could follow.

As an ensemble, the characters create an inviting mystery, igniting curiosity in the audience to seek answers. Echoing the essence of Lovecraftian horror with undertones of psychological torment, Hell House LLC II intrigively explores the concept of an environment influenced by evil, where the line between reality and nightmare is hopelessly blurred.

Beyond its notable performances, the film deserves high praise for its uncanny horror sequences. Stephen Cognetti has done incredible work in materializing an atmosphere of dread with only minimal effects. With impressive shot compositions, clever use of light and dark, and psychological tactics employed to construct fear, the film maintains a steady pace of suspense and anxiety.

Found-footage aesthetic is employed innovatively, giving the film a raw and realistic feel. Instead of relying on high-end graphics, the film cleverly employs stellar camera work to make the haunting grimness feel plausible. The use of handheld cameras echoes the narrative's authenticity, and through it, Cognetti has created an illusion of the paranormal that feels tangible.

Overall, Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel aptly serves as more than just a sequel. It’s an independently successful horror movie that simultaneously extends the lore of its predecessor while offering a fresh and equally chilling narrative. Noted for its well-executed plot and performances, this film is a must-watch for any horror aficionado.