PARANORMAL INITIATION (2012)

American Horror House, Paranormal Initiation, Sorority Horror House (2012)
Directed by: Darin Scott
Written by: Anthony C. Ferrante
Starring: Alessandra Torresani, Dave Randolph-Mayhem Davis, Jackie Tuttle, Morgan Fairchild

PARANORMAL INITIATION (2012)
aka Sorority Horror House
Directed by Darin Scott

PARANORMAL INITIATION is a direct-to-TV movie that ran on SyFy channel, so viewers can expect the low budget cheese that often comes with the DTTV territory. Interestingly enough, the writer of the movie, Anthony C. Ferrante, went on to direct fan-favourite Sharknado, though creature features such as that and the Asylum efforts seem to be looked on more favourably than ghostly tales such as this.

After a creepy opening scene, depicting a blood-drenched little girl singing Incy Wincy Spider, the film moves to present day where a sorority sister goes missing. Private Detective Hammond is hired by her parents and begins sniffing around the sorority house looking around for clues as to her disappearance, but it isn’t just Hammond who’s noticed something strange going on at the home.

The real attraction to watching this movie is the prospect of seeing sorority sisters offed in inventive ways. I don’t think any films make sorority sisters likable, and PARANORMAL INITIATION further fuels the feeling that sorority sisters are complete airheads that like to taunt, bitch and torment the pledges, who for some reason would jump through flaming hoops, if asked to, just to become a sorority sister. Keeping a watchful eye over the sorority though is Miss Margot, an elegant woman if not a little weird, who likes to get involved in the house but refuses to let people into her world. As we all know from the movies, those characters who keep themselves to themselves usually have something to hide.

The core of the story is meant to be horrifying though the backstory is a little muddled in the way it is executed, therefore it never quite delivers the impact it should. A messy plot doesn’t mean it’s completely devoid of entertainment value. Although it isn’t scary, it is fun to see where a ghost will emerge from next and how long it takes the house’s occupants to learn of the hidden truths. As far as horror goes though, nothing is shown, with the camera cutting away. Other 15 certificate movies have been much scarier than this, but I guess it’s been given a 15 certificate due to the drinking and sex culture of fraternities as depicted in the movie, as well as the CGI J-Horror inspired ghosts.

PARANORMAL INITIATION really struggles to work and the entertainment it does provide is too bare bones to warrant watching. It does have an acceptable cast though, particularly in the form of Alessandra Torresani as protagonist pledge Daria who is really the only reason to keep watching.

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