Usual clichés, different wrapping...

Rating: 4/10 (10 February 2019)

From the beginning, this movie (basically a 'murder-mystery', rather than a 'horror') employs the somewhat overused, although effective, technique of a menacing, low-vibrational ambient background soundtrack rumbling. This is designed to stimulate the innate, ancient primeval sense of fear and foreboding in the viewer, thereby enhancing susceptibility to sudden scares etc. Although this thriller movie technique is used way too often these days, it is still strangely effective.
The trouble with this type of film is that the director and writer, more often than not, go overboard with effects. This movie is not much different in this respect. Ghost children appearing full-apparition and in glorious 'Technicolor' is an example of how this film's audience is similarly patronisingly treated, with the statutory 'jump' moments scattered in like herbs into a pot of soup.
As for the characters, Ellison Oswalt (played by Ethan Hawke) is simply Ethan Hawke playing Ethan Hawke in another 'groundhog day' role, not good nor bad but... simply 'okay'.
The deputy (played by James Ransone) is the most unbelievable character in the film. He, supposedly, holds a degree in Criminology and a stack of forensic courses under his belt, and yet is portrayed as - almost - retarded, or simply an imbecile! Just doesn't make sense.
There is a point in the film in which the young daughter wall-paints a picture of a similarly young girl sitting on a makeshift 'swing' (a tyre slung from a tree). Now, if this young girl painter *that*, then she must've an art-prodigy...! Perhaps the next art-equivalent genius to Mozart, and yet... the parents don't bat an eyelid in surprise as to the quality of it (simply too good for a girl of that age).
The Oswalt family complains about their lack of money, that they're not very well off. However, they seem to be moving from house to house with no worries at all. Within the final half-hour they move to an even bigger house (like a mansion)... and yet they complain about being lacking financially. If they rent/lease, this last move gives no indication of completing rental payment for the previous one. If the previous house was bought, there's no indication of selling it before moving. The writing does not fit the proposed storyline.
As I said at the beginning, this film is NOT a 'horror' (whatever that word really means)... it is a murder-mystery thriller with some supernatural elements and a sympathetic policeman (portrayed as somewhat thick) slung in for good measure.
Nor is this film 'scary''. Yes, there are the usual 'jumps' (including a corny final one), but does not compare in the least with any of the classics.
This is a mediocre hotch-potch of the usual slow and plodding stuff.