• Straight to Video
• Director: Mark Polonia, John Polonia, Jon McBride
• Written by: Mark Polonia
• Running Time: 74 minutes
• Language: English
• MPAA Rating: UNRATED
• Cast: Jon McBride, Brice Kennedy, Jeff Dylan Graham, Leslie Culton, Richard Feil, Todd Carpenter, Bob Dennis, Maria Davis

In the original "House That Screamed", strange paranormal activity inside a rather modest suburban home, pushed a horror novelist Marty Beck (Bob Dennis) over the edge and ultimately into complete insanity. When "Hellgate: House That Screamed 2" begins, Marty Beck has been missing for months, and a mysterious book ‘Terror House’ written by the absent novelist, has arrived at his publisher’s office. The publisher (Todd Carpenter) is at a loss for an explanation, but decides to distribute the text nonetheless. He is surprised even further when the novel quickly becomes a genuine best seller. Intrigued by the house, and the strange circumstances which befell the author, a psychic investigator, Professor Pollenfax (Jon McBride), resolves to explore the residence himself and find out the truth behind the story. With his two student assistants, Devin Manning (Brice Kennedy) and Sykes Palmer (Jeff Dylan Graham), backing him up, Pollenfax ventures into the strange Pennsylvania house, hoping to document some of the paranormal phenomenon.

After establishing a sort of base of operations -- with cameras and extrasensory monitoring equipment recording everything -- Pollenfax and his two technicians endeavour to wait it out until one of the apparitions makes itself known. As darkness begins to fall over the small town, all Hell breaks loose inside the house. Within hours of nightfall, Pollenfax and his two assistants find themselves suffused in bizarre ghost-like images and strange chilling noises. One of the investigators, Manning, is overcome with terror and attempts to leave, crashing out onto the front porch in a daze. While Pollenfax is outside negotiating with Devin to stay, inside Sykes is confronted by something horrific -- a strange hole in the basement, that, following a violent struggle, sweeps him into its vortex. Upon re-entering the quarters, Pollenfax quickly discerns that this isn’t just a random haunted house that they are investigating but something much greater -- much more evil than first thought. A further inspection of the basement reveals a strange coffin and the hole that seems to lead directly into the bowels of Hell. This, of course, terrifies Pollenfax to his very core - as does a certain revelation. As expected, Pollenfax’s two assistants are dispatched in very gruesome, albeit, surprisingly brilliant ways, leaving the Professor alone to confront the demons -- and not only the demons in the house, but also the demons in his past.  This is clearly where the film switches gears, reverting back to the same idea as the original film, with Pollenfax in the same spot as Marty, terrorized by the demons in the house, and fighting for a way to save himself. However, this time around, the Polonia’s have adopted another unique, and ultimately shocking, ending. An ending that is as brilliant as it is vague. Pollenfax’s ultimate descension into Hell in the film’s final moments is particularly disturbing, and fits perfectly into the idea that the Polonia’s were toying with from the outset -- that we are the architects of our own fate.

"Hellgate: House That Screamed 2" has a very distinct look and feel to it, as the Polonia’s and McBride seem to be paying direct homage to the great Italia pictures of the 70’s and 80’s - especially the work of Dario Argento. It is apparent just from looking at the film that the directors languished long and hard to get the lighting, music, and cinematography just right. In fact, it’s the lighting that stands out more than anything -- including the distinct use of red and blue to hi-light various elements and characters in the house. Red is distinctive of malevolence (the demons), while blue/green seems distinctive of benevolence (the investigators). In the end, you’ll note that red and blue merge, creating a sort of ugly magenta haze, which is in keeping with the film, as the real impetus of the Pollenfax character (and maybe all of the investigators) becomes more crystallized. Another really great element of the picture is the play on the seventeenth century  ‘hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil’ legend. According to the teachings of the Vadjra cult, for those who 'do not hear, see or talk evil,' shall be spared all evil. Pollenfax and his two assistants are easily symbolic of the proverbial three monkeys, Mizaru, Kikazaru and Iwazaru, of legend, who, upon arriving in the house are confronted by all forms of evil -- but are, at first, indifferent to it. It is by deliberate choice, I believe, that the Polonia’s dispatch the three investigators the way they do -- according to this allegory. I assume that it isn't a coincidence that Sykes is always shown with a pair of headphones covering his ears, and it is, in fact, his over-hearing of the voices that ultimately leads him to the hole in the wall, where he meets his end. Kennedy’s character, Manning, who spends most of his time looking for a way out, eventually winds up with his eyes poked out - something that Pollenfax, who is sitting right beside him, doesn’t observe. Last but not least is Pollenfax, who is clearly the most audible one in the group. It isn‘t by chance that the realization of his past fate, which is told to him by Marty Beck, eventually manifests itself in a very agonizing and very LOUD death. It is his torturous screams that will stay with you long after the film has ended.

Not enough can be said about the acting, which is really very good considering the very rushed schedule -- apparently Graham started shooting just hours after getting off a plane. The three main actors, Jon McBride (2004's "Among Us"), Brice Kennedy (2002's "Gorilla Warfare: Battle of the Apes") and Jeff Dylan Graham (2003's "Dead Clowns"), all pull off their roles with a real ease. Kennedy and Graham have a great chemistry, with McBride, intentionally, being the odd man, the way it should be. In "Hellgate", McBride is cold, unflinching and almost arrogrant - a noticeable change from the nerdy Wayne Beaubier character he played in "Among Us" Leslie Culton, who produced and starred in the micro-budget, "Hookers In a Haunted House", is fantastic here, playing a sultry feline-like succubus in a few quick scenes. Also good is Bob Dennis, who reprises his role as Marty Beck. Even with a ton of make-up and an inability to see, Dennis offers a good, but all too brief, performance. Now, you ask, is this a perfect movie? No, of course not. But I think it is quite good considering the time and budgetary constraints. The usage of flashback sequences, including a furiously edited opening segment put to a wild techno beat, has been derided by a few other reviewers, but I personally think they helped to add some genuine atmosphere to the film.

All in all, I'd recommend this film as it is a wonderfully engrossing tale that really captures the spirit of those Euro horror movies of old. Plus, there are some truly haunting moments in this film that will continue to stay with a viewer long after it has ended, including the absorbing image (and music overlay) of a confounded and terrified Pollenfax chasing a demonic hooded figure through a graveyard, right past his own tombstone -- just awesome!

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