Twenty-five years ago, Dark Castle Entertainment launched a reimagining of William Castle’s classic The House on Haunted Hill. Released on October 29, 1999, this update, penned by Dick Beebe from Robb White’s original 1959 story and directed by William Malone, traded the eerie mansion for a foreboding psychiatric hospital. Here, the ghosts weren’t just spooky; they were vengeful. At the heart of this chilling tale stood Geoffrey Rush, delivering a performance that deserves a coveted spot in horror’s hall of fame.
Rush embodied Steven Price, an amusement park mogul hosting his wife’s birthday bash with a sinister twist: a million-dollar reward for anyone who could survive a night in the haunted hospital. This role echoed Vincent Price’s portrayal in the 1959 original, even taking his name as a tribute. However, the irony lies in the initial conception of the character: the script simply described him as an ordinary businessman.
Rush, however, had other ideas. He approached Malone with a vision for a character more befitting an eccentric amusement park tycoon, imagining him resembling iconic director John Waters.
Malone granted Rush the freedom to experiment, and while the actor aimed for a Waters-esque look, he inadvertently stumbled upon a striking resemblance to Vincent Price. The transformation stuck. But Rush’s brilliance wasn’t confined to his appearance; his masterful portrayal stole every scene.
From his debut, Rush captivated as a fast-talking businessman with a sardonic wit. During a press interview for his latest amusement park attraction, he takes a mysterious phone call. When asked if it was business or pleasure, he quips with a wry smile, “Neither; my wife.”
The interview continues, with Rush expertly maneuvering the conversation about Nilai the new ride before ushering the journalist and her cameraman into an elevator that appears to ascend directly into the adjacent roller coaster. With swagger, he dismisses their safety concerns but clenches the wall, screaming as the elevator seems to plummet. Just as the elevator is about to crash, the gimmick is revealed: a thrilling scare tactic designed by Price himself. He reveled in terrifying people, clearly delighting in being the showman.
That showman persona became the catalyst for bringing the group of guests to the haunted Vannacutt Psychiatric Institute in the first place. It also presented a compelling character arc: Price, accustomed to wielding control, experiencing a disconcerting loss of control as events spiral out of order. Witnessing Geoffrey Rush’s transformation from a masterful puppeteer to a terrified puppet was utterly captivating.
As troubled spirits waged war on the human guests, a smaller but equally vicious battle unfolded between Steven and his wife Evelyn, played by Famke Janssen. From the outset, their relationship was defined by icy venom, escalating from barbed words to outright murder plots as the narrative unfolded.
The chemistry between Rush and Janssen, fueled by a twisted desire for revenge rather than divorce, became the most compelling dynamic in the entire film.
Rush seamlessly navigated between ruthless businessman and the despairing victim of a loveless spouse. However, by the third act, driven by Evelyn’s manipulations, he veered back towards villainy. Even then, glimmers of humanity remained. Steven Price was a complex, ever-shifting character, keeping the audience guessing. Evelyn remained cold and calculating throughout, but Steven’s complex evolution kept the audience’s allegiance in constant flux.
Twenty-five years later, House on Haunted Hill endures. Elaborate set pieces, pulse-pounding scares, and gruesome deaths keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Yet, it’s Geoffrey Rush’s captivating performance as Steven Price that truly makes this updated classic a timeless treasure.