One Eye Open Review: An Enjoyable Supernatural Horror!

What if the ghosts inside a haunted house aren’t the ones you need to fear, but the very things protecting you from the real monsters? One Eye Open, written, directed and produced by Michael D. Coffey, plays with this idea by turning the familiar haunted-house formula on its head. Instead of positioning supernatural entities as the primary threat, the film introduces human intruders whose intentions are far more sinister, leaving the spirits to act as protectors of the property and its occupants.

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The story follows Samantha, a recent college graduate who returns home to house-sit her grandfather’s sprawling mansion while he struggles with Alzheimer’s disease. Her quiet night takes a terrifying turn when three intruders target the property. However, the criminals soon discover that the mansion is protected by the spirits of Samantha’s deceased relatives. What begins as a home invasion gradually turns into a supernatural battle, with the intruders finding themselves hunted by forces determined to protect the family home.

One of the things I appreciated most about One Eye Open is the twist it brings to the familiar humans-versus-ghosts formula. Haunted-house movies typically present spirits as the source of danger, with the living characters struggling to escape or understand the supernatural forces surrounding them.

Here, Coffey reverses that dynamic by making the ghosts the good guys, while the human villains are the ones bringing genuine danger into the house. The spirits aren’t simply haunting the property for the sake of frightening its occupants; they are protecting their home and their bloodline. I liked this approach because it gives the supernatural elements a different purpose and creates an interesting contrast between the apparent threat of the ghosts and the actual threat posed by the intruders.

 

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Another major highlight for me is the setting. I have always loved Victorian architecture, particularly old mansions with maze-like layouts, numerous rooms, basements, creaking wooden floors, artistic walls and antique furniture. One Eye Open brings together many of these elements, and the decision to set almost the entire film inside this historic property works in its favour. The mansion has the kind of atmosphere that naturally lends itself to horror, with its imposing interiors and secluded spaces creating a sense of unease.

I particularly liked how the film uses the different areas of the house to stage its confrontations, escapes and supernatural encounters. A large, old mansion can feel like a character in its own right, and this film understands the appeal of that environment. The setting provides a strong visual foundation for the story, making the house itself one of the film’s most memorable features.

The background score by Nathan Towns is another element I really enjoyed. The heavy orchestral music complements the mansion’s grand, old-fashioned appearance and gives the film a distinctive atmosphere. At times, the score reminded me of the musical sensibilities associated with Harry Potter, particularly in the way orchestral arrangements can lend a sense of mystery and grandeur to an old, magical-looking environment. It suits the film’s blend of historic architecture and supernatural storytelling, helping maintain a consistent mood throughout. The music and setting work well together, reinforcing the vibe Coffey is trying to establish.

 

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The performances are also a positive aspect of the film. Kushi Beauchamp brings plenty of glamour and screen presence to Samantha, with a sizzling charm that makes her hard to take your eyes off. More importantly, her performance is convincing, and she does a good job carrying a film that rests largely on her shoulders. Samantha is at the centre of the unfolding chaos, and Beauchamp keeps the character engaging as the situation around her becomes increasingly dangerous. Addison Landes, playing Jamie Hill, Samantha’s friend, also delivers a good performance, particularly during some important moments in the third act.

However, my biggest reservation with One Eye Open is that its horror and thriller elements feel rather plain. The film has the necessary ingredients for an effective haunted-house experience: an atmospheric mansion, supernatural guardians, dangerous intruders and a series of confrontations in confined spaces. Yet, despite these elements, I rarely felt frightened or thrilled by what was unfolding.

The horror is certainly present, and the film remains watchable throughout, but the scares and suspense don’t have the impact I was hoping for. The setting creates an expectation of something much more unsettling, and the central concept offers plenty of opportunities for inventive supernatural encounters. Unfortunately, the execution doesn’t consistently translate that potential into effective tension. As a result, the film feels serviceable as a horror thriller without becoming particularly scary or suspenseful.

 

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Ultimately, One Eye Open is an enjoyable-enough supernatural horror film with a few appealing ideas and a setting that does much of the heavy lifting. Its reversal of the traditional haunted-house formula gives the story an interesting hook, while the Victorian-style mansion and Nathan Towns’ orchestral score establish an atmosphere that I particularly appreciated. Kushi Beauchamp leads the film effectively, with Addison Landes also making a positive impression in key scenes.

However, the lack of genuinely effective scares and sustained tension prevents the film from reaching the heights its premise and setting suggest. One Eye Open may not be the most frightening haunted-house experience, but its unusual take on supernatural guardians and its beautiful old-mansion setting offer enough to make it a reasonably engaging watch for fans of the genre. ‘One Eye Open’ is releasing in theaters on October 16th, follow the movie on Instagram for more updates.

‘One Eye Open (2026)’ Rating – 3.5/5

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