Haunted
'''Haunted''' is an adjective meaning a location, object, or person believed to be inhabited or frequented by ghosts or other supernatural entities.[1] The term has been used as a title for numerous works in literature, film, television, theatre, music, and video games. For the paranormal phenomenon, see [[Haunting]] (though no wikilinks per instructions, so omit). See also the sections below for specific examples in:Literature
Books
Haunted (1988) is a British horror novel by James Herbert, first published by Pan Macmillan. The story follows David Ash, a skeptical parapsychologist, who is invited by the Mariell family to investigate reported hauntings at their decaying Edbrook manor, where he encounters ghostly apparitions, participates in séances, and grapples with his own childhood trauma involving the drowning of his sister, blending psychological terror with supernatural elements and themes of grief. Originally conceived as a BBC television movie script, the novel became part of a trilogy featuring Ash as the protagonist and achieved commercial success as one of Herbert's bestselling works, though it received mixed critical reception regarding its pacing and plot plausibility. Herbert's novel was later adapted into the 1995 film Haunted, directed by Lewis Gilbert. Haunted (2005) is an American postmodern horror novel by Chuck Palahniuk, published by Doubleday. Structured as a frame narrative, it depicts 23 aspiring writers confined in an abandoned theater during a purported retreat, where they share interconnected short stories and poems laden with body horror, explicit grotesquerie, and satire targeting fame, the publishing industry, and human depravity. Many tales draw from real-life anecdotes provided by Palahniuk's acquaintances, enhancing the book's transgressive edge. The story "Guts," which details extreme acts of masturbation leading to self-injury, ignited significant controversy, causing over 70 audience members to faint during public readings of the novel. Critically, it polarized reviewers for its bold experimentation and visceral content, with praise for its dark humor and condemnation for its perceived excess.Comics
Haunted is a horror-suspense anthology comic book series published by Charlton Comics, running from September 1971 to September 1984 for a total of 75 issues.[2] The title featured self-contained tales of the supernatural, ghosts, and monsters, presented in a format typical of the era's horror comics.[3] It emerged during a revival of the horror genre in American comics following the relaxation of the Comics Code Authority's strictest prohibitions on gore and horror elements in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[2] The series was initially hosted by the ghostly Impy, a pint-sized spirit in a white superhero-like costume, who introduced stories until issue #21 in April 1975.[4] From that point, the host shifted to Baron Weirwulf, a werewolf-like figure with a penchant for sharing macabre narratives from his library, rebranding the title as Baron Weirwulf's Haunted Library.[3] All content adhered to the Comics Code Authority seal, avoiding excessive violence while emphasizing suspense and atmospheric dread.[2] Stories often revolved around themes of curses, hauntings, and the uncanny, with representative examples including "The Skull" and "The Haunted Man" from issue #27 (May 1976), alongside "Subway Stop," a tale by writer and artist Tom Sutton depicting a man encountering spectral figures in an otherworldly subway station. Notable artists contributed distinctive visuals, such as Steve Ditko's eerie covers and interiors in early issues like #1, Tom Sutton's dynamic horror sequences, and Enrique Nieto's detailed, shadowy illustrations in various Charlton horror anthologies.[5] Issue #33 (December 1977), for instance, showcased monster-centric narratives like "Summer People!" and "A Handsome Devil," scripted by Nicola Cuti and Joe Gill with art by Joe Staton and others, highlighting the series' focus on werewolf-hosted weird tales.[6] Haunted ran concurrently with Charlton's other horror titles, such as Ghost Manor and Ghostly Tales, forming a shared universe of suspense anthologies that capitalized on the 1970s horror boom.[3] Publication ended with issue #75 amid a declining direct market for comics and Charlton's broader financial struggles, leading the company to cease operations in 1986.[2] The series contributed to the era's horror revival by blending pre-Code-inspired eeriness with Code-compliant storytelling, influencing later reprints that preserved 1970s comic aesthetics.[3]Film
1995 film
Haunted is a 1995 British supernatural horror film directed by Lewis Gilbert and adapted from the 1988 novel of the same name by James Herbert. The screenplay was written by Timothy Prager and Gilbert, with significant changes made to the source material. Starring Aidan Quinn as the skeptical parapsychologist Professor David Ash, the film also features Kate Beckinsale in her early leading role as Christina Mariell, Anthony Andrews as Robert Mariell, Alex Lowe as Simon Mariell, Anna Massey as Nanny Tess Webb, and supporting appearances by John Gielgud as Dr. Doyle and Victoria Shalet as young Juliet Ash. Produced by October Films in association with Lumière Pictures and Double "A" Pictures, it was released in the United Kingdom on 27 October 1995 before a limited U.S. theatrical run on 18 June 1996.[7][8][9] The story is set in 1920s England and centers on David Ash, a renowned debunker of the paranormal who returns from America to investigate ghostly occurrences at the remote Edbrook Manor after receiving a plea from the elderly nanny Tess Webb. Upon arrival, Ash encounters the enigmatic Mariell siblings—Christina, Robert, and Simon—who claim to be tormented by spirits, including apparitions of a young girl. As Ash documents poltergeist activity and spectral visions, he becomes romantically drawn to Christina while grappling with haunting flashbacks to his childhood, where he witnessed his sister's tragic drowning in a lake near the manor. The investigation unravels family secrets, blurring the line between rational explanation and the supernatural, culminating in revelations about repressed guilt and otherworldly presences that challenge Ash's worldview.[7][8][9] Production took place primarily at Shepperton Studios in Middlesex, England, with location shooting at Parham Park in West Sussex to capture the manor's gothic exteriors. The film had a reported budget of $7.5 million and a runtime of 108 minutes, earning an R rating for its themes of horror and mild sensuality. Debbie Wiseman composed the original score, blending orchestral elements with romantic motifs to heighten the eerie atmosphere. Lewis Gilbert, known for directing James Bond films like You Only Live Twice, brought a polished, classical style to this supernatural tale, emphasizing psychological tension over graphic scares. At the 1996 Fantasporto International Film Festival, the film won the Silver Raven award and was nominated for the International Fantasy Film Award for Best Film.[8][10][11] Critically, Haunted received mixed responses, holding an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on five reviews, where it was lauded for its atmospheric cinematography by Tony Pierce-Roberts and strong performances, especially from the then-emerging Beckinsale and veteran Massey. Reviewers praised the film's elegant production values and subtle ghost story elements reminiscent of classic British horror, but criticized its deliberate pacing, lack of intense thrills, and occasional narrative predictability. Variety described it as a "competent but unexceptional" effort destined more for home video than wide theatrical success, while other outlets noted its effective mood but failure to deliver substantial scares. The film achieved modest commercial performance, with limited box office earnings reflecting its niche appeal in the horror genre.[9][8][12]2011 film
Haunted – 3D is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language supernatural horror film directed by Vikram Bhatt.[13] The film stars Mahaakshay Chakraborty in the lead role as Rehan, alongside Tia Bajpai as Meera Sabharwal and Achint Kaur as Margaret.[14] It was produced by ASA Productions & Enterprises in association with BVG Films and DAR Motion Pictures.[14] Marketed as India's first stereoscopic 3D horror film, it blends elements of romance, possession, and revenge within a haunted mansion setting.[15] The plot follows Rehan, a young real estate agent tasked by his father with preparing the dilapidated Glen Manor in the misty hills of Dalhousie for sale.[16] Ignoring local legends of hauntings, Rehan stays overnight and experiences terrifying supernatural events, including visions that transport him to 1936.[17] There, he witnesses the tragic assault on Margaret, a British woman, by the malevolent Professor Iyer, leading to her death.[18] In the present, Rehan encounters Meera, who is revealed as Margaret's reincarnation, and Iyer's vengeful spirit attempts to possess her.[19] With the aid of a Sufi saint, Rehan confronts the entity, averting further tragedy and forging a romantic bond with Meera.[17] Principal photography took place in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, capturing the film's eerie hill-station atmosphere, with additional scenes shot at a historic bungalow in Ooty, Tamil Nadu.[20] The production budget was approximately ₹13 crore, with significant investment in 3D technology and visual effects handled by EFX at Prasad Studios in Chennai.[21][22] The film was released on 6 May 2011.[21] Its soundtrack, composed by Chirantan Bhatt, features notable tracks such as "Tum Ho Mera Pyar" sung by KK and Suzanne, and "Jaaniya" by Siddharth Basrur, which contributed to the film's atmospheric tension.[23] Upon release, Haunted – 3D received mixed critical reception, with praise for its innovative 3D visuals and horror sequences but criticism for a predictable script and uneven pacing.[24] Commercially, it performed strongly, grossing ₹37.03 crore worldwide against its budget, emerging as a hit at the box office.[25] The film's technical achievements, particularly its VFX, were highlighted as a milestone in Indian cinema's adoption of stereoscopic 3D.[15]1991 film
The Haunted is a 1991 American made-for-television horror film directed by Robert Mandel.[26] The movie stars Sally Kirkland as Janet Smurl and Jeffrey DeMunn as her husband Jack Smurl, with supporting roles including Louise Latham as Jack's mother and Dianne Wiest as a family friend. Sally Kirkland, who portrayed Janet Smurl, died on November 11, 2025.[27] It dramatizes the real-life haunting experienced by the Smurl family in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, during the 1980s, a case investigated by demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. The screenplay by Darrah Cloud is adapted from the 1988 nonfiction book The Haunted: One Family's Nightmare by Robert Curran, with contributions from Jack Smurl, Janet Smurl, Ed Warren, and Lorraine Warren, published by St. Martin's Press.[28] The plot follows the Smurl family as they relocate to a duplex in 1974, only to encounter escalating supernatural disturbances, including poltergeist activity, physical assaults, levitations, and demonic manifestations that torment family members across generations. After failed attempts to seek aid from the Catholic Church, the family contacts the Warrens (portrayed by George D. Wallace and Ellen Becker-Gray), who identify multiple entities, including a demon, inhabiting the home and perform an exorcism to confront the evil. The narrative builds tension through the family's isolation and psychological strain, culminating in a battle against the malevolent forces.[29] Produced as a low-budget made-for-TV project by FNM Films, the film premiered on the Fox network on May 6, 1991, with a runtime of 100 minutes and a TV-PG rating for violence and language. Filming took place in Los Angeles, California, despite the Pennsylvania setting. The production drew directly from the Smurl case's documented events, such as reported apparitions and infestations, to lend authenticity to its horror elements.[30] Upon release, The Haunted received a Golden Globe nomination for Sally Kirkland in the Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film category at the 1992 ceremony, highlighting her intense portrayal of a mother enduring paranormal terror.[31] Critics and audiences noted its effectiveness as a chilling TV horror entry, with praise for building suspense and Kirkland's performance, though some viewed it as exploitative of real tragedy for dramatic effect. It holds a 62% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and has been credited with popularizing the Smurl haunting in media, influencing later depictions of demonic possession in films like the Conjuring franchise.[32]2017 film
Haunted is a 2017 Italian independent supernatural horror film directed, written, and produced by Eros D'Antona. The film stars Roberto D'Antona as Christian, an aspiring writer, alongside Annamaria Lorusso as his sister Sonia, with supporting roles by Michael Segál, David White, and others. Produced by Funny Dreamers, a company founded by D'Antona and his wife Kateryna Korchynska focused on micro-budget features, it marks part of D'Antona's early work in low-budget horror cinema.[33][34] The plot follows Christian, who arrives at his sister Sonia's remote villa in the Italian countryside to house-sit while she is away. As he settles in, strange occurrences escalate, revealing supernatural presences tied to the property's dark past, including ghostly apparitions and eerie discoveries that blur the line between reality and nightmare. Incorporating elements of psychological tension and found-footage-style sequences through Christian's personal recordings, the story builds to confrontations with malevolent forces, forcing him to unravel a tragic history of loss and violence lurking within the family home.[35][36] Filmed primarily in Soriso, Novara, in the Italian countryside, Haunted was shot on a low budget estimated under €100,000, emphasizing practical effects and intimate settings to heighten its claustrophobic atmosphere. Released in 2017, the production reflects D'Antona's hands-on approach, handling multiple roles including cinematography and editing, and serves as an entry in his broader exploration of indie horror themes across films like Die in One Day (2017). The movie premiered at select genre festivals and received limited theatrical distribution in Italy and abroad.[34] Upon release, Haunted garnered mixed reception, holding an average rating of 3.4 out of 10 on IMDb based on 6,645 user votes, with critics and audiences noting its ambitious low-budget execution but faulting predictable tropes and pacing issues. Some reviewers praised the enthusiasm of the cast and D'Antona's direction for delivering genuine scares in a DIY style, while others highlighted clichés in the haunted house narrative. It screened at international genre festivals, contributing to modest cult interest within European indie horror circles, though it did not achieve widespread commercial success.[33][37][35]Television
1967–1968 series
Haunted is a British supernatural drama television series that aired on ITV from 1967 to 1968. Produced by ABC Television, the series comprises eight episodes broadcast on Saturday evenings between 18 November 1967 and 13 January 1968. It stars Patrick Mower in the lead role of Michael Llewellyn, a university lecturer in philosophy who travels across the United Kingdom to investigate reports of paranormal activity.[38][39] The program adopts an anthology format, with each self-contained episode exploring distinct supernatural encounters often infused with psychological tension. For instance, the premiere episode, "I Like It Here," depicts Llewellyn boarding with a widowed woman whose home is disturbed by visions involving her late husband and a mysterious girl. In "The Girl on the Swing," the protagonist confronts a haunting linked to an eerie playground fixture, while "Living Doll" involves occult practices concealed within an everyday high street shop. Other installments feature themes such as vengeful spirits in abandoned properties and cursed artifacts, all presented in black-and-white to enhance the atmospheric dread typical of mid-1960s British television.[40][39] Production was overseen by Michael Chapman as producer and script editor, with direction by Jonathan Alwyn and Bill Bain across episodes. The writing team included Katharine Blake and Marc Brandel, emphasizing cerebral explorations of the uncanny over overt horror. Shot primarily on studio sets with limited locations to accommodate a modest budget, the series reflects the era's experimental approach to genre programming on ITV, aligning with broader trends in 1960s supernatural anthology shows. It concluded after one season, likely due to network scheduling constraints following the 1968 ITV franchise changes.[41][42] Supporting the lead, the cast featured recurring performers like John Nettleton as Professor Alec Ritchie and Michael Barrington as Professor Gordon, alongside guest appearances by actors such as Peggy Sinclair and Denis Goacher in various roles. Notable episodes highlighted performers including Jane Jordan Rogers in early installments. The series' focus on intellectual inquiry into hauntings distinguishes it within contemporary British television horror.[41]2002 series
Haunted is an American horror drama television series that aired on UPN from September 24, 2002, to November 5, 2002.[43] The show consisted of one season with seven episodes broadcast due to its early cancellation, although eleven episodes were ultimately produced.[44] Filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, it was created by Andrew Cosby and Rick Ramage, who developed a serialized narrative centered on supernatural investigations.[45] The series starred Matthew Fox as Frank Taylor, a former Los Angeles police detective whose life unraveled after his young son was kidnapped and never found, leading to the end of his marriage and career.[43] Supporting cast included Lynn Collins as Jessica Manning, Taylor's ex-wife and an assistant district attorney; Russell Hornsby as Marcus Bradshaw, Taylor's former partner; Michael Irby as Dante, a computer hacker; and John Mann as Simon Dunn, a medium.[46] The plot follows Taylor after a near-death experience that grants him the ability to see and communicate with ghosts of the recently deceased, who haunt the living until their unfinished business—often involving crimes, missing persons, or personal regrets—is resolved.[47] As a private investigator, Taylor assembles a team to track down these spectral leads, blending procedural elements with ongoing personal trauma from his son's disappearance, which serves as a central mystery arc.[48] Episodes feature supernatural cases like hauntings tied to abductions or murders, emphasizing atmospheric tension and character-driven drama over standalone anthology stories.[49] This approach positioned Haunted as a companion to early 2000s supernatural procedurals, contributing to the genre's evolution toward serialized ghost-hunting narratives on broadcast television.[48] Production began under CBS Productions and Viacom Productions, with executive producers including Keith Addis and Emile Levisetti.[49] The series premiered to modest viewership and was pulled after seven episodes due to persistently low ratings on UPN, preventing the airing of the remaining four produced installments during its initial run.[50] Composer Mark Snow provided the score, enhancing the moody, noir-inspired visuals. Unseen episodes later aired on the Sci-Fi Channel starting in 2007. Critics and viewers praised Haunted for its intense scripting, strong cinematography, and atmospheric depiction of the supernatural, with Fox's performance noted for its emotional depth.[51] It holds an average rating of 7.0 out of 10 on IMDb based on 696 user reviews, reflecting appreciation for its blend of horror and drama despite the abbreviated run.[43] The complete series, including all eleven episodes, was released on DVD by Phase 4 Films on April 13, 2010, allowing fans access to the unaired content in a remastered format.[52] A Blu-ray edition followed from Kino Lorber in 2018.[53]2018 series
Haunted is an American anthology horror reality television series that premiered on Netflix on October 19, 2018.[54] Developed and produced by Propagate Content, the show features real individuals recounting their personal encounters with supernatural phenomena, interspersed with dramatic reenactments of the events described.[55] Directed primarily by Jan Pavlacky across its run, the series spans three seasons totaling 18 episodes, with each installment focusing on a standalone story from witnesses around the world.[56] The format emphasizes emotional interviews conducted in group settings with friends and family, where participants share haunting experiences while low-budget reenactments visualize the alleged paranormal occurrences.[54] Episodes typically run between 25 and 40 minutes, blending testimonial-style narration with horror elements to create an intimate, pseudo-documentary feel. For instance, the first season's premiere, "The Woman in White," details a boy's terrifying visions of a ghostly woman in his closet after moving to a new apartment.[57] Another early episode, "The Slaughterhouse," recounts two sisters' accounts of growing up in a home plagued by malevolent forces tied to their family's dark history.[58] These stories draw from diverse locations, including the United States and international settings, with filming for reenactments primarily conducted in the Czech Republic to capture a global scope of narratives.[59] The second season, released on October 11, 2019, continued the anthology structure with six new episodes, such as "The Mimic." The third and final season arrived on May 21, 2021, featuring stories like "In the Pines," where young lovers unleash evil in a remote cabin, and "Haunted by Henry," involving a family's ordeal with a malevolent spirit in their home.[54] Production involved international sourcing of witness testimonies to highlight varied cultural encounters with the paranormal, though the core interviews and reenactments maintained a consistent unscripted aesthetic.[60] Reception for Haunted has been largely negative, with an average IMDb user rating of 4.7 out of 10 based on over 3,600 reviews, citing the production's low quality and perceived lack of authenticity.[61] On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds a 30% critics' score from 34 reviews, with detractors describing it as formulaic and unconvincing in its reality TV horror approach.[58] A significant controversy surrounds the series' claims of true events, as viewers and critics have questioned the veracity of several stories; for example, the second episode's depiction of a haunted slaughterhouse linked to unsolved murders has been scrutinized for lacking verifiable evidence of the alleged crimes.[62] Despite defenses from some participants affirming the accounts' basis in reality, the show's reenactments and emotional portrayals have fueled widespread skepticism about its authenticity.[63]Theatre
2023 play
Haunted is a satirical Indigenous horror comedy play written by Tara Moses, a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and a Mvskoke playwright, director, and co-founder of Groundwater Arts. Commissioned by Company One Theatre in 2023, the play blends ghostly hauntings with Y2K-era pop music to explore themes of colonialism, land sovereignty, and the often superficial nature of settler-Indigenous reconciliation efforts.[64] The story centers on Indigenous siblings Ash and Aaron, who have been ghosts for twenty years, tethered to a house on stolen land and endlessly scaring off prospective buyers—mostly white families—while passing time by dancing to hits from artists like Britney Spears. As a new family attempts to purchase the property, the ghosts' pranks escalate into revelations about the land's traumatic history, satirizing real estate practices, land acknowledgments, and the unresolved legacies of displacement. The narrative mixes humor, horror, and pointed critique to highlight the ghosts' frustration with being stuck in a cycle that mirrors broader Indigenous experiences of marginalization and ignored histories.[65][66] The play's world premiere occurred as part of the National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere, marking the first time a play by a Native playwright received this honor. Company One Theatre produced the initial run from January 24 to February 15, 2025, at the Boston Public Library's Rabb Hall, with Moses directing; the cast featured Indigenous performers including Bradley Lewis as Ash and Chingwe Padraig Sullivan as Aaron. Subsequent productions included Native Voices at the Autry's staging from October 10 to 26, 2025, at Greenway Court Theatre in Los Angeles, co-directed by DeLanna Studi (Cherokee) and Jennifer Bobiwash (Mississauga First Nation), and a planned run at Cleveland Public Theatre from March 5 to 21, 2026. Running approximately two hours with an intermission, the production incorporates a vibrant Y2K soundtrack to underscore its comedic and supernatural elements.[65][67][68] Critics and audiences have praised Haunted for its innovative Indigenous perspective on horror tropes, using comedy to deliver incisive commentary on land rights and cultural erasure without descending into preachiness. A Boston Globe review highlighted its clever use of the genre as a "rallying cry of support" for Indigenous voices in theater. BroadwayWorld noted how the play employs humor to advocate for meaningful land acknowledgments, emphasizing its fresh take on reconciliation satire. The work has been celebrated for filling gaps in settler-Indigenous dialogue, with its NNPN milestone underscoring its cultural impact in contemporary Native American theater.[69][66][70]2010 play
Haunted is a 10-minute comedy play written by American playwright Eric Coble. The script premiered in 2006 at the Contemporary American Theatre Company in Columbus, Ohio, and a revised version was posted on the author's website in 2010.[71][72] In the play, actress Sally McFadden stands backstage, moments from her entrance in a production of Troilus and Cressida. She is confronted by four comedic ghosts embodying her past theatrical blunders: the Ghost of Lines Dropped, the Ghost of Missed Entrances, the Ghost of Awful Reviews, and the Ghost of Roles Off-Limits. These spirits taunt her with reminders of her failures, heightening her anxiety, but Sally ultimately banishes them through determination, delivering her line with confidence. The work explores themes of resilience, self-doubt, and the pressures of performance, using humor to highlight the inner demons actors face. The runtime is approximately 10 minutes.[72] The production requires a cast of 5 (1 female lead and 4 ghosts, which can be played by actors of any gender). The setting is a simple backstage area at a theatre, allowing for minimal sets and props to emphasize the psychological focus. Elements of slapstick arise in the ghosts' interactions, and the script incorporates brief musical references, such as parodies of "Give Me That Old Time Religion" and "Oklahoma!", to enhance the comedic tone. It is suitable for professional theatre companies, short play festivals, or educational settings exploring acting challenges.[72] Since its premiere, Haunted has seen multiple productions, including a radio adaptation by the Drama Club at BITS Goa in India in 2021, demonstrating its versatility across formats. The play is available as a free download on Coble's website and has been praised for its witty portrayal of performer insecurities, making it a staple in collections of contemporary short works for theatre practitioners.[73][71]Music
Bands and performers
The Haunted is a Swedish metal band formed in 1996 in Gothenburg by former members of the influential death metal group At the Gates, including guitarists Patrik Jensen and Jonas Björler, bassist Jonas Björler, and drummer Adrian Erlandsson.[74] Specializing in groove and thrash metal, the band quickly established itself with aggressive riffs and dynamic vocals, releasing their self-titled debut album in 1998 through Earache Records.[75] Key members have included charismatic frontman Peter Dolving, who joined for the debut and contributed to several albums until his departures and returns, and guitarist Ola Englund, known for his technical prowess and production work on later releases.[76] The band's lineup has seen changes over the years, with Dolving's intermittent involvement shaping their evolving sound from raw thrash to more melodic groove elements.[77] After a string of acclaimed albums like Made Me Do It (2000), rEVOLVEr (2004), and Versus (2008), The Haunted entered a hiatus from 2017 to 2022 following the release of Strength in Numbers, their ninth studio album, amid personal and lineup shifts.[78] The break allowed members to pursue side projects, but the core group reformed, leading to their tenth studio album, Songs of Last Resort, released in May 2025 via Century Media Records, which revisits their high-energy thrash roots with renewed intensity.[79] Throughout their career, The Haunted has maintained a robust touring schedule, including supporting thrash legends Slayer on their 2009 European tour, where they delivered high-octane sets that solidified their reputation in the metal scene.[77] Their discography spans ten studio albums, two live records, and various EPs, emphasizing relentless energy and technical precision without delving into specific releases here. Poe, born Annie Decatur Danielewski in 1968, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and multidisciplinary artist whose work fuses rock, electronica, hip hop, and spoken-word elements into intimate, narrative-driven compositions. The younger sister of acclaimed author Mark Z. Danielewski, Poe debuted with the 1995 album Hello on Atlantic Records, establishing her as a voice in alternative music with its blend of pop sensibilities and experimental flair.[80] Her sophomore effort, Haunted (2000), emerged after a five-year hiatus as a deeply personal concept album, serving as a companion piece to her brother's labyrinthine novel House of Leaves, with songs like "House of Leaves" and "Amazed" weaving themes of grief, family secrets, and psychological exploration through layered storytelling and multimedia interludes.[81] Produced with collaborators including her brother and electronic artist Chris Vrenna (formerly of Nine Inch Nails), Haunted prioritizes narrative songs that evoke haunting introspection, diverging from mainstream pop toward avant-garde audio experiments. Poe's live performances have long emphasized a fusion of electronica and rock, often incorporating DJ elements, live looping, and theatrical visuals to immerse audiences in her conceptual worlds, as seen in shows supporting Haunted where she blended acoustic intimacy with electronic beats.[82] Though her output slowed due to legal disputes with Atlantic Records in the early 2000s, Poe has continued selective touring and contributions to soundtracks, maintaining her focus on innovative, story-centric music rather than commercial singles.[83] Her discography remains concise, with Haunted standing as a pivotal work that highlights her commitment to narrative depth over prolific releases.Albums
"Haunted" is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Poe, released on October 31, 2000, by Atlantic Records.[84] The album blends electronica and rock elements, featuring 18 tracks that incorporate spoken-word audio recordings from tapes made by Poe and her brother documenting conversations with their late father, documentary filmmaker Tad Danielewski.[85] These elements create a multimedia narrative exploring themes of grief, loss, and familial introspection, serving as a tribute to her father who died in 1997.[86] Additionally, the album functions as a companion piece to her brother Mark Z. Danielewski's debut novel House of Leaves, with thematic and structural parallels enhancing its conceptual depth.[81] Production credits include contributions from Mike Elizondo on several tracks, alongside Poe, Olle Romo, Matt Wilder, and Matt Wallace.[87] Key singles released from the album were "Control" and "Hey Pretty," the former peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in 2001. The album itself reached number 115 on the Billboard 200 chart.[88]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Exploration B | 1:11 |
| 2. | Haunted | 5:09 |
| 3. | Control | 5:50 |
| 4. | Terrible Thought | 4:42 |
| 5. | Walk the Walk | 4:34 |
| 6. | Terrified Heart | 0:52 |
| 7. | Wild | 5:00 |
| 8. | 5½ Minute Hallway | 7:44 |
| 9. | House of Leaves | 3:31 |
| 10. | Hello | 4:37 |
| 11. | Angry Johnny / The Lucretia Demise | 5:00 |
| 12. | Hey Pretty | 4:16 |
| 13. | Could've Gone Mad | 3:33 |
| 14. | Trigger Happy Jack (Drive-By a Go-Go) | 4:40 |
| 15. | Amazed | 4:47 |
| 16. | Life Ain't What It Seems | 4:12 |
| 17. | If You Were Here | 4:01 |
| 18. | Goodbye | 0:55 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hate Song | 3:00 |
| 2. | Chasm | 3:09 |
| 3. | In Vein | 3:23 |
| 4. | Undead | 2:09 |
| 5. | Choke Hold | 3:44 |
| 6. | Three Times | 2:42 |
| 7. | Bullet Hole | 3:39 |
| 8. | Now You Know | 3:29 |
| 9. | Shattered | 3:11 |
| 10. | Soul Fracture | 3:41 |
| 11. | Undone | 3:25 |
| 12. | Primal Kill | 4:02 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Warhead | 3:39 |
| 2. | In Fire Reborn | 3:18 |
| 3. | Death to the Crown | 2:56 |
| 4. | To Bleed Out | 4:29 |
| 5. | Unbound | 3:34 |
| 6. | Hell is Wasted on the Dead | 2:53 |
| 7. | Through the Fire | 3:45 |
| 8. | Collateral Carnage | 3:12 |
| 9. | Prey | 3:20 |
| 10. | The Final Days | 3:02 |
| 11. | Last Resort | 4:01 |
| 12. | Fractured | 3:25 |