Weird happenings at a jaw-dropping manor in California
A grieving man (John Littlefield) and his two girls (Alyson Gorske & Jessica Chancellor) move to a town in Northern California where he purchased an incredible mansion at a curiously low price. When strange things start happening, they hear rumors of the manor’s infamous past. Jasmine Waltz is on hand as the sultry realtor while Eric Roberts plays an amiable neighbor.
“616 Wilford Lane” (2021) has the setting of “Glass House: The Good Mother” (2006), an awesome mansion in sunny California, but with an altogether different story, à la spooky goings-on in the manner of M. Night Shyamalan mixed with “The Amityville Horror” (1979/2005). There’s a creepy element that goes back to the "Amelia" episode of “Trilogy of Terror” (1975), just don’t expect a crazy Zuni doll.
The flick works well as is, but the creators insisted on tacking on an ending that I don’t want to say too much about. It can still be enjoyed yet the “creative” climax lowers my grade. It just wasn’t needed. I should add that my wife was impressed by the twist.
The three key women are a highlight with Jessica standing out.
The movie runs 1 hour, 25 minutes, and was shot in California, presumably Auburn, which is 25-30 miles northeast of Sacramento in Northern Cal.
GRADE: B-
