Horror Movie Review: The Haunting of Borley Rectory (2019)

The Haunting of Borley Rectory is a paranormal horror. Based on the supposed most haunted house in England. Take that for what you will. You can read the supposed accounts surrounding the house all over the internet. As always, we remain sceptical but the ‘true’ account is ten times more interesting and ten times scarier than this snorefest.

Set during World War 2, an injured American soldier is sent to a house near Borley Rectory that is being used as a listening post. He is to monitor the airwaves for any German chatter that might help the war effort. This man is Robert O’Neill (Zach Clifford) and he suffered his injury during the battle of Monte Cassino.

His job is hardly the most interesting and he had lots of free time. Time to go exploring whereupon he comes across the ruins of Borley Rectory. There he encounters the ghost of the Nun that is said to haunt the place.

Yes, within the first third of the movie it shows a ghost front and centre making any mystery around the place pointless. Its haunted and that is that, instead the mystery surrounds why this ghostly Nun follows Robert back to his house.

Doesn’t sound that interesting does it? It’s not. In fact, The Haunting of Borley Rectory is an incredibly boring horror that takes itself so seriously, it’s kind of awkward. It tries to tell a super serious story but with an uninterested cast, very bland characters and a total lack of actions/scares, it just doesn’t hold the interest.

It does have some positives though. It’s very well shot in regards to showing off the peaceful and quiet of the location. The prettiness of it all is enhanced by a decent soundtrack too. If this was a documentary, it would really impress.

However, it is not. It is a horror movie that doesn’t horrify. A horror movie that doesn’t frighten. A horror movie that is more likely to put you to sleep then keep you on the edge of your seat.

If the true story was as boring as this, it wouldn’t even be infamous.