Carla has visions. Of a science-class skeleton rolling around in a wheelchair. Of a monk violently ax-whacking the head of a Buddha statue. Doctors have “a perfectly reasonable explanation: You’re a medium!”
It’s true! Played by Stefania Orsola Garello (2004’s King Arthur), Carla’s one of a few University of Rome geology students heading home after a lengthy stint of field work. One of them looks like God placed his ears on upside down. Landslides and bad weather conspire to close the highway, forcing them to hunker down in an out-of-season hotel — The House of Lost Souls, one might say.
Also staying at the hotel? Chainsaws, bear traps, tarantulas. And activities? Decapitation is definitely on the table. (And in the laundry dryer.) Amenities? Well, a kid says, “Wow, what a meal, kid,” and that’s the best part.
Director Umberto Lenzi (Ghosthouse) builds The House of Lost Souls atop a foundation of the expected gore, but it lacks pizazz. The film was made for Italian TV as one unit of a four-part series, another being Lenzi’s The House of Witchcraft. However, for my tastes, the most fun to be had reside within the other two, The House of Clocks and The Sweet House of Horrors, both constructed by Lucio Fulci, who knew more about being a bad, bad neighbor. —Rod Lott