The Haunting of Barney Palmer
The Haunting of Barney Palmer

Movie spotlight

The Haunting of Barney Palmer

1987
Movie
54 min
English

The Haunting of Barney Palmer is a fantasy film for children about a young boy who is haunted by his great uncle. Young Barney fears that he has inherited the Scholar family curse; a suite of 80s-era effects ramp up the supernatural suspense. The film was a co-production between PBS (United States) and Wellington's Gibson Group, which resulted in Ned Beatty (Deliverance, Network) being cast. It was written by Margaret Mahy, based on her Carnegie Award-winning novel The Haunting, and an early fruitful collaboration between her and director Yvonne Mackay.

Insights

IMDb5.2/10
Director: Mark JonesGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A young couple, Barney and Claire Palmer, buy a secluded old house in the countryside, hoping for a peaceful life. Soon after moving in, strange occurrences begin, hinting at a sinister presence within the walls. As the hauntings escalate, their sanity and relationship are pushed to the brink, forcing them to uncover the house's dark history to survive.

Critical Reception

The Haunting of Barney Palmer received mixed to negative reviews upon its release. While some critics acknowledged its atmospheric tension and a few effective scares, many found the plot derivative and predictable, suffering from pacing issues and underdeveloped characters. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, with the film failing to gain significant traction or cult status.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film struggles with a familiar haunted house premise, offering little originality.

  • While atmospheric at times, the narrative lacks depth and relies on common horror tropes.

  • Performances are adequate, but cannot elevate the predictable story arc.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this film, with limited available data. Those that exist suggest viewers found it to be a forgettable entry in the 1980s horror genre, lacking memorable moments or innovative scares.

Fun Fact

Despite its release in 1987, the film's production and setting often evoke the feel of earlier 1970s horror films, contributing to its somewhat dated aesthetic.

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