Through flashbacks, we see James and his Hollywood-obsessed mother Olivia plan for making it big and moving up in life. Those dreams were squashed when Olivia — in a desperate attempt to be noticed as a star — ends her life by jumping from the Hollywood sign. Now an adult, James, his girlfriend Skyler, and their friend Casey, embark on a journey to make a documentary about his mom while trying to make it big themselves. Their journey ends in tragedy as they encounter a spirit along the way. The Haunting of Hollywood is a tale of longing and desperation gripping you until the very end.
When aspiring director James embarks on his Hollywood odyssey, he confronts the ghosts of his past in a desperate journey mirroring his mother’s tragic demise beneath the iconic Hollywood sign.
The Haunting of Hollywood, IMDB
I think most people have had a dream at least once of becoming a famous movie star. Olivia lived that life. But after years and years of missed opportunities and failed auditions, her frustration was taken out on her son and finally, herself. James reminisces about the happier times and even tries to become a director, but visions of his mother in her worst moments clouds his judgement, casting a dark light over his life. Unaware of his trauma, Skyler and Casey join him to hike up to the Hollywood sign, soon becoming lost and frightened as Olivia’s spirit and evil entities dressed as old Hollywood icons torture them. The Haunting of Hollywood calls attention to the never-ending line of wannabes that are eaten up and spit out by the city; it’s no wonder some of those heartbroken people seek vengeance in death.
For those unaware, The Haunting of Hollywood mirrors the true story of aspiring actress Peg Entwistle, who jumped off of the H in Hollywood after her presumed failing as an actress. Olivia reeks of desperation and James takes the brunt of every rejection she gets.
The movie has such a feeling about it, one that I can’t quite put my finger on. Just like Olivia, James, Skyler, and Casey, there is an opening montage of hopeful people in a casting call for a commercial. Each one of them has their own story and journey up until this point; but it’ll be the big break for just one of them. The Haunting of Hollywood starts off so bright and cheery, but gets cooler and darker the longer it goes on. Just like a life of fame and celebrity, cracks appear easily in the sunny Hollywood façade.
I don’t know how the filmmakers did this, but I wanted to point something out. I have travelled to California (including LA and Hollywood) many times, and it is not what you see in the movies or on reality TV. The Haunting of Hollywood has this moodiness that better reflects the reality of living in a place like that. It can be cold. It can be unforgiving. There are buskers and people who just lost their jobs and run-down apartments. The glitz and glamour these characters are looking for almost isn’t real.
And all of this adds to the paranormal aspect of The Haunting of Hollywood. James hears his mother’s sour words in his head, often repeating them back to his friends. She even shows up to berate James more towards the end. The old Hollywood icons are clinging to the hope of newcomers, siphoning their willpower until they just give up their dreams. A time discrepancy is happening all-the-while, adding to the friends’ confusion and terror.
The Haunting of Hollywood is not only a ghost story about trauma through the lens of fame, but a warning to those without the willpower to fight for your dreams. For those who are weak enough to be spit out by the Hollywood machine, are doomed to haunt it.
The Haunting of Hollywood is available to stream on Mometu.
