In Chateau, the latest indie horror from director Luke Genton, we're drawn into the world of James, a struggling influencer played by Cathy Marks. While on a low-budget vacation in France, James picks up a cleaning gig at a grand but reportedly haunted chateau, where she plans to film covert vlogs for her channel. Alongside her friend Dash (Colton Tran), she uncovers eerie secrets as she begins to sense there's more to this place than local legends suggest.
Chateau premiered at the Popcorn Frights Film Festival in 2024 and is set to launch on video-on-demand on December 6, courtesy of Quiver Distribution. This supernatural thriller leverages the “found footage” style that has spooked audiences in previous films like Deadstream and Dashcam, evoking a raw, up-close experience for viewers. Unlike many haunted house stories, Chateau explores the theme of “digital trespassing,” where James' invasion of the chateau's privacy might awaken something she wasn't prepared for.
While the genre of vlogger-in-haunted-house isn't groundbreaking, Chateau is building buzz for its blend of suspenseful twists, a chilling historical mystery, and the underlying risk social media influencers face in their pursuit of fame, especially when reality blurs with the supernatural
While the found footage approach can be hit or miss, Chateau looks promising for horror enthusiasts who appreciate immersive screenlife experiences. The film's approach to social media's darker side adds a contemporary edge, raising questions about what influencers will risk for content—and what might follow. Cathy Marks and Colton Tran's performances, along with Genton's atmospheric direction, could make Chateau a haunting addition to horror collections.
Do you think the rise of influencers in horror films reflects deeper anxieties about social media's reach, or is it simply a trendy setting?
