Haunted by Her Name

The slow-burn thriller subgenre seems to be almost a staple in the independent movie industry, and Jaron and Olivia Lanier’s Haunted By Her Name is one appealing experience into the genre. But, even just calling this movie a thriller would be an injustice, because it is so diverse and rich in the way its story is told. Haunted By Her Name can also be described as a psychological horror, a regional romance, and a drama – in a way, these are the different aspects of a single story.

Gorgeous cinematography, great music, crisp scripts, and great actors performances make it pleasurable for viewers to get into the movie. The only source of frustration, which I think somewhat undermines this otherwise great film, is the resolution. It fits into a graphic novel and although it does not work, it is unnecessary in this case.

The drama begins: The protagonist Haunted By Her Name opens with a striking sequence in which a woman exhibits behavior suggesting she is distressed and leaps into the water only to come back to the shore some time later although immediately upon her return it is evident that she is not alone as another figure appears right in front of her and forcibly takes her into the water. As this woman is sinking deeper and deeper, the camera switched and the story cuts off.

The fixed camera was used to film someone jumping into the water and not coming back. The next scene is revealing and it is set in the modern era where Jaron has just finished the funeral service of his ex-girlfriend Bridget in Washington and is now on his way back to his family residing in Kansas City, but with the only difference being that he has now bought a camper van. Jaron was in a romantic relationship with Bridget for about a year mostly from one side until about two months ago.

About six weeks ago, Bridget suddenly called it off and ceased all contact with Jaron. Information from authorities was held over from Jaron’s recent experience of the Haunted by Her Name. There he was advised that Miss Brigitte passed away recently with the suspicious circumstance of her drowning in Lake Washington. She was said to have a note addressed to someone whom she said was bothering her. Back in the day, she and Jaron were in a relationship, and she introduced him to the camper nomadic lifestyle which she adored.

With her out of the picture, Jaron starts recalling her as he drives into the van to spend the night, on his way home. But perhaps the debauchery of Bridget was left on Jaron himself since he spends too many nights seeing the disturbing images of his ex-girlfriend and often feels the otherworldly presence surrounding the camping van.

What’s even more disturbing to Jaron is that her texts have not stopped, and he sees fragments of her around him in his memories. It goes without saying that Jaron is deeply unsettled by such sights, all the more given the fact that he is a completely lonely man with not a single soul in this world to unburden his heart to.

After Jaron’s van breaks down, he is left on the roadside in utter despair and has no choice but to hail the passing vehicles for help. He gets a response pretty soon, as Judah, a chirpy, quirky guy riding alone in his own camper van, stops by.

Though Jaron requests a couple of towing numbers from Judah, the latter urges him to accompany him to a place where they can camp for the night. Juan would organise a few things for the return the following day. Jaron’s van is towed with the use of a hitch as Judah drives them to the camping site. Soon, Jaron discovers that Judah has the same interest – playing the guitar – but he is now en-route to Seattle to entertain someone in a local joint. At first, it is Jaron who does not take any effort as he actively tries to distance himself from the overly enthusiastic Judah and with Jaron’s shyness, only small talk is exchanged between the two.

At night, however, Jaron once more sees the image of Bridget in his head, and this time he is the one who wants to spend time with Judah. Shakespearean, who has inspected Jaron’s van’s problems, offers to change it the next day using a mechanic he knows for some price and of course warns him that if he goes to the garage repair it will cost substantially. Jaron agrees with Judah’s words and during the course of such bonding, the couple began a sexual relationship in Haunted by Her Name.

At night, the two developed an instant connection around a campfire as Judith provided a lot of insight into himself including his earlier experiences, hardships and even provoked several things that made him insecure.

Jaron finds it astonishing that Judah’s birthday is quite close to his, as it is just the next day. Judah’s youth living with a father who beat up and abandoned him, the death of his mother at an early age, and his simple world view make me sympathize with the man, and so being able to do so, Jaron confides in him, telling him all about his frustrations and the most recent traumas. In his own way, Judah tells Jaron that in order to stop seeing Bridget’s disturbing images, the best course of action is to get over it and accept the circumstances.

To the shock of many, Jateh’s suggestion works as Jaron at night seems to have forgotten the worrying of the past and can actually sleep well for the first time in so long. Later on, Judah informs Jaron that the mechanic has finished work on his van without him awake. After Jaron settles his alterations, Netanyahu says goodbye with the intention of leaving. He enjoyed a little piece of cake and a cigarette on Jaron and his birthday before setting out for Seattle, and even teased Jaron, saying he’d love him to meet him there.

Judah’s departure allows Jaron to take some time to himself at the camp site, particularly because over the course of one day, the boy has begun to get along with his new friend, and yes this new friend is none other than the the boy’s father, Judah. After spending another more of the same night with Jaron feeling that Judah’s being there with him helped him through his visions that were really memories brought on by his mental state, Jaron gets in the car and rather than heading straight home heads to Seattle to meet with his father. Judah at this point has no clue what has happened and gets excited upon seeing Jaron.

The first half of the movie up until now has been nice paced and smooth and makes you feel good at the right moments similar to most buddy friendship movies in a hidden way. Now, the problem comes during the last act where this mood undoes everything that has been built along the story as it completely shifts what we thought the plot would be.

It is night and go figure Jaron sees Bridget which scares the toddler, but this time he gets to breathe in propane gas being emitted from a hole in the heater bringing him close to death. The other end of the van has Judah who has just seemed to have gotten out of his van and after beating Jaron, explanation of the entire thing gathering up happened. Judithwas Bridget’s ex husband who had her 1st child when she was pregnant with Jaron.

Out of grief, Bridget terminated her pregnancies against Judah’s wishes, but remained Jaron’s girlfriend for a year until Judah returned to her—where she has not spoken to Jaron ever since. Subsequent to the murder of Bridget, apparently done by Judah, he formulated a plan to instill fear in Jaron and teamed up with Bridget’s sister who was jealous because her sister did not talk to her ever since she fell in love with Jaron.

But mid revenge, Bridget’s twin finishes off Judah, only to avenge Jaron, whom she thinks is responsible for her estrangement from her sister. Jaron cries for forgiveness and, in yet another twist, Judah shoots Bridget’s twin and rescues Jaron. Slowly Javier grows a fondness for Jaron while waiting for the right moment to gain his trust and complete his warranty paid revenge.

After saying goodbye to the second dead body, Jaron leaves Judith with all the dirty work enabling him to take Judith’s camping van, while also recalling a captured unconscious Judith rather disoriented behind the back seat— he flees the area with Judith. The questions surrounding the reality of Judith’s existence remain unanswered towards the very end.

The overly complicated conclusion doesnt help in the least the feeling of warmth the narrative might have offered the viewers and is unfortunate because other aspects of the film are quite well done.

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