Chateau movie storyline. While on a French vacation funded by odd jobs, an aspiring influencer named James is hired to clean a reportedly haunted chateau. With unrestricted access to a property that’s normally closed to the public, she sees an opportunity to covertly film a vlog that could result in an influx of followers. While investigating a series of disappearances linked to the residence, James uncovers a chilling truth: those who perish there remain trapped. And they want their story told.
Chateau is an American horror thriller film directed by Luke Genton and starring Cathy Marks, Colton Tran, Rachel Alig, Mikayla Soo-ni Campbell, Hettie Lynne Hurtes, Ralph Adriel Johnson, Ali Wills, Arnaud Préchac, Peter Thias, Julie Tessier ahd Fanny Miller. The screenplay was written by Luke Genton. The film was released on December 6, 2024 in the Unied States by Quiver Distribution.
Film Review for Chateau
Chateau seems like it is going to be just another found footage horror movie. Making its world premiere at the Popcorn Frights Film Festival, the plot follows James (Cathy Marks, Scream Queens) who has taken a job cleaning a French chateau. When she learns it is supposedly haunted, James uses the opportunity to secretly film a vlog. Her aspirations for online fame put her life in danger.
When did doing something completely different become equated with being good? The complaints about Hollywood’s insistence on sequels and remakes are not unfounded, but there is a reason that movie studios are so willing to follow proven formulas. Audiences are willing to watch them. Plus, they tend to be fun. It is the same idea that has been applied to horror movies and romantic comedies for decades.
This is arguably most evident in the found footage. While there is the occasional outlier, most in the sub-genre are very willing to go with what works. Chateau has all of the familiar ingredients. There are jump scares, an urban legend, and lots of running around. It all sounds too derivative.
Which is not to say that Chateau is a simple copy and paste. It takes the basic formula, but uses an engaging protagonist to prevent the script from getting stale. James is deceivingly charming. She is down to earth and silly in a way audiences can relate to. Marks is perfect as the would-be influencer. Her friendship with Dash (Colton Tran, The Sex Lives of College Girls) is another of Chateau’s strong points. The two have a great chemistry and play perfectly off each other.
There are plenty of scares, and with one notable exception, this is a found footage movie that can be enjoyed by viewers of any age. Chateau does not try to reinvent the wheel (though it does have an arguably happy ending) and instead focuses on its characters leading to a fun watch.
Chateau (2024)
Directed by: Luke Genton
Starring: Cathy Marks, Colton Tran, Rachel Alig, Mikayla Soo-ni Campbell, Hettie Lynne Hurtes, Ralph Adriel Johnson, Ali Wills, Arnaud Préchac, Peter Thias, Julie Tessier, Fanny Miller
Screenplay by: Luke Genton
Production Design by: Fanny Miller
Cinematography by:
Film Editing by: Luke Genton
Costume Design by:
Set Decoration by:
Art Direction by:
Special Effects by: Ian J. Johnston
Music by:
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Quiver Distribution (United States)
Release Date: December 6, 2024
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