Yes, Wait Till Helen Comes is generally considered scary, particularly for children. The 2016 Canadian horror-drama, which is based on the novel by Mary Downing Hahn, incorporates several unsettling and frightening elements.
The film is designed to evoke fear through various means, making it a horror-drama with plenty to scare audiences.
Why Wait Till Helen Comes Is Considered Scary
The movie employs classic horror tropes and unsettling situations that contribute to its scary nature:
- A Haunted Residence: A central and significant source of fear is a house that is actively haunted by a malevolent spirit.
- Dangerous Ghost: The ghost is not merely passive; it actively seeks to lure children. Its terrifying intent is to cause them to drown, posing a direct and life-threatening danger to the young characters in the story.
- Atmospheric Fright Techniques: The film builds suspense and delivers jump scares through:
- Loud, Sudden Noises: Unexpected and intense sounds are used to startle viewers.
- Mysteriously Shutting Doors: Doors that inexplicably close on their own create an eerie and unpredictable environment, enhancing the sense of a supernatural presence.
- Disturbing Imagery: Audiences are exposed to unsettling visuals, such as swarms of locusts, which contribute to the overall creepy and foreboding atmosphere.
These combined elements create a pervasive sense of dread and provide numerous moments that can be frightening for children and potentially unsettling for adults.