The Sleepless Unrest: The Real Conjuring Home

Halloween 666

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SUPERNATURAL SATURDAY

We kick October off with a look at the extremely easy-to-access (it can be found on YouTube) 'Sleepless Unrest', which delves into the real-life areas of the famous 'Conjuring' films (arguably some of the best horror films around today). For those who know of the 'Conjuring' films, the interest lies in that they aren't only films about your average spooky haunting but also involve demonic possession. And while the 'Amityville' house has long since been proven a genuine hoax, this film dares to attempt to shake our disbelief in the supernatural and give us some kind of solid evidence of... something going on with the real Conjuring House, located at 1677 Round Top Rd, Burrillville, Rhode Island.

The film takes four documentary filmmakers into the house for a period of approximately two weeks, as they explore the house with cameras, sound equipment and the like, trying to pick up on some paranormal activity. They further discuss their nightly experiences as they try to sleep in their eerily empty rooms. In other words, to put it very bluntly, this one is made for those who can suspend their disbelief very easily and may enjoy shows like 'Ghost Hunters' or 'Ghost Adventures'. There's a whole lot of "what was that noise?" and "Oh my Gosh, that door just moves a quarter inch in a drafty house that allows wind in very easily". This kind of this tends to make me roll my eyes a lot, and it's a total cliche of anything like this right now. It's impossible to be scared by that subtle stuff.

Most unfortunately, however, the film is generally all made up of that kind of thing, so in my eyes, it's quite honestly a pretty bad take on the whole thing. However, 'tis the spooky season, so I might say that if you're able to look at this as pure fiction and not take it seriously, you can probably still have a fun time with it. It's the same fun time you might have going through a haunted maze. You pretty much have an idea of what's going to happen, but just because it's that time of year, there's still a bit of a fun factor to be had with it. Filmmakers Brian Murray, Richel Stratton, and Kendall and Vera Whelpton are the main subjects here, and I have to admit that this challenge they've given themselves may make for a cheeseball documentary, BUT the idea of spending one night in that house IS still a pretty scary concept, skeptic or not.

So I think as a documentary film, it's nothing to write home about. But it is kind of fascinating to see these guys endure whatever they do endure. On-screen, it looks kind of creepy, but it doesn't feel like enough. However, imagining being in their respective shoes, and facing those two weeks of weirdness is enough of a creepy thought. Add to that the way this all ends (stupidly yet somehow eerily, reminding us NOT to disturb sights claimed to be haunted, possessed or cursed) and I'd say that there IS a right audience for this particular title. It's for the very open-minded who believe in this stuff solidly, and are looking for a good scare based on reality.

 Personally speaking, I have a tendency to lean more towards the skeptic side and look for any sort of rational explanation for any strange goings-on. However, I have had moments happen in my life that, while perhaps not completely supernatural, I sincerely cannot explain. So I remain an open-minded skeptic who will never write off anything I can't explain as "nothing" or "just one of those things". So for me, there's always some very basic entertainment value in something like this, but it's a matter of what happens that will hold one's attention. Sadly, here, things are very weak, especially considering the home's reputation. So if you wanna check it out, I'd highly recommend doing so for free if you can help it. Otherwise, if you want a real thrill concerning this house, I'd sooner just watch the film series or, if you're feeling bold enough, visit the house yourself and see what you can find.

​2/5

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