Critics largely panned The Haunted Casino. Scream Horror Mag called it “unconvincing” and the film has found a place on a variety of IMDb lists with titles such as “The Worst 25 Movies of 2007” and “The Worst Movies I’ve Ever Seen.” With a dismal 21% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s clear the film struggled to impress.
However, director Charles Band’s effort has the energy of a filmmaker trying to make the best of a limited budget and showcases an appreciation of genre cinema that horror fans can admire. Despite its flaws, The Haunted Casino has become a guilty pleasure for audiences who welcome production outfit Full Moon Features’ recognisable blend of fantasy and horror.
The movie is confidently filmed, with a compelling setting that evokes a nostalgic sense of schlocky wonder. The cast, featuring genre legends like the late Sid Haig and Michael Berryman, is surprisingly good, despite being underutilised. Haig’s standout moments come at the film’s climax, and although the plot drags at times, the final act delivers some entertaining kills and gore.
For devoted Full Moon fans, especially those familiar with Band’s work from Puppet Master to Blood Dolls, this is a solid post-2000s entry that’s better than some of the more absurd offerings like Gingerdead Man and Evil Bong. While casual viewers might prefer Band’s earlier films, The Haunted Casino still offers enough to satisfy fans of campy horror.
What Makes The Haunted Casino Worth Watching?
Also known as Dead Man’s Hand, the film’s alternative title references Wild Bill Hickok’s ill-fated two pair of Aces and Eights which he held in his final game in 1876. While not one of the official titles of Texas Holdem hands, it’s well-known as a dangerous hand to have because it offers strength that can coax a player into betting too big and being beaten by those holding Three of a Kind, a Straight, or better. In other words, Two Pair feels like a strong position but it pulls players into a false sense of security.
That’s what happens to the folks in the film. The Haunted Casino follows Matthew Dragna, who inherits a decrepit casino from his late uncle. Matthew, his girlfriend JJ, and their friends visit the run-down property, only to discover its dark past. On the anniversary of a massacre that claimed five lives, including that of mob boss Roy “The Word” Donahue, they learn that Donahue’s ghost haunts the casino, seeking revenge. Since Matthew’s uncle was responsible for Donahue’s death, the mob boss’s vengeful spirit now targets Matthew as the only surviving relative.
Nostalgic Schlock
The film is undoubtedly flawed with a lack of genuine horror being its most prominent issue. The script’s overuse of casino-based puns, like when it makes a “dead man’s hand” reference during a roulette scene, falls flat. However, fans of Band’s low-budget horror style will appreciate its campy charm and cheesy humour. The setting of the haunted casino offers a nostalgic, schlocky atmosphere that evokes some of Band’s earlier work too. While it may not be a standout in Band’s catalogue, The Haunted Casino provides enough quirky entertainment for those who enjoy his particular brand of low-budget, B-movie horror.
