Hell House LLC: Origins – The Carmichael Manor

I have to say it:

absolutely ROCKED. This one grabbed me by the ankles, dragged me straight into the woods of Rockland County, and whispered, “You’re not leaving until you meet every single ghost in this house.” And honestly? I didn’t want to leave. This is easily one of my top favorites in the entire franchise—right up there with the original.

This time we step away from the Abaddon Hotel and into the Carmichael Manor, a location so creepy it feels like the Abaddon’s cousin who moved to the countryside to “get away from it all” but accidentally brought the demons with them. The shift in setting gives the movie a fresh vibe, and the found footage style feels tighter, more confident, and packed with dread.

And then there’s the trio: Margot, Rebecca, and Chase. I swear, I would absolutely explore haunted places with them. They’re the kind of paranormal investigators who make you think, “Yeah, I’d follow these people into a cursed basement,” which is saying something. Margot’s curiosity, Rebecca’s grounded energy, and Chase’s “I’m terrified but still filming” commitment make them one of the most lovable teams in the franchise.

But oof… Rebecca and Chase. You can’t help but feel for them. Their dynamic is sweet, their reactions are genuine, and watching things unravel hits harder because you actually care about them. This movie knows how to make you emotionally invested before it starts throwing ghosts at your face.

🏚️ Why Origins Works So Well

This entry feels like Steven Cognetti leveling up. It’s atmospheric, slow‑burn creepy, and full of that “something is watching from the corner” energy. It also expands the Hell House mythology in a way that feels natural instead of forced. You get answers, new mysteries, and a whole new cursed family to obsess over.

Plus, the Carmichael backstory? Deliciously dark. It’s like peeling wallpaper off an old house and finding a whole other house underneath.

📽️ Fun Trivia & Hidden Gems

Because Cognetti can’t resist stuffing his movies with secrets:

• The Carmichael Manor location is a real historic property, and the crew leaned into its natural eeriness instead of dressing it up.

• Margot’s documentary style mirrors the original Hell House crew’s approach, intentionally tying the franchise together visually.

• The film includes subtle nods to the Abaddon Hotel—photos, symbols, and background details—hinting that the curse is bigger than one location.

• The Carmichael family’s timeline was built to overlap with the Abaddon cult lore, meaning Origins isn’t just a spinoff… it’s a puzzle piece.

• Chase’s camera work includes several blink‑and‑you‑miss‑them shadow movements that fans have been freeze‑framing since release.

• The movie was designed to feel more “investigative” than the previous entries, which is why Margot’s narration is more prominent.

• Cognetti confirmed that Origins was meant to expand the universe toward future installments—especially those involving Vanessa and the broader cult mythology.

🔥 Final Thoughts

Origins is the kind of found footage film that reminds you why you fell in love with the genre. It’s creepy, emotional, atmospheric, and full of characters you actually want to hang out with (even if hanging out with them means getting chased by ghosts).

It’s one of the strongest entries in the franchise, and easily one of my personal favorites. If the original Hell House is the spark, Origins is the roaring fire that proves this universe still has plenty of terrifying stories left to tell.