🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Mickey Liddell
- Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama, Supernatural
- Release year: 2008
- Runtime (length): 1h 25min
- IMDb rating: 3.9/10 (17K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 3%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A high schooler whose mom tried to scissor her seeks a fresh start only to discover she’s on a demonic 18th birthday plan, prompting a melodramatic stab at avoiding hell.
🍿 The Haunting of Molly Hartley: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Troubled Past, New School
Molly Hartley, haunted by her mother’s attempt to kill her, seeks a fresh start at a new prep school. She struggles with PTSD and unsettling visions, making it difficult to adjust. She encounters Joseph Young, a popular student who takes an interest in her, offering a glimmer of hope amidst her turmoil.

Supernatural Occurrences
As Molly tries to navigate her new life, disturbing events intensify. She experiences vivid hallucinations, nosebleeds, and panic attacks, leading her to believe something sinister is at play. The unsettling occurrences coincide with her approaching 18th birthday, adding to her mounting anxiety.

Unveiling the Horrific Truth
Molly discovers a dark secret about her past – a deal made by her parents to save her life, binding her to a demonic entity upon turning eighteen. Her mother’s attempts to harm her were driven by a desperate desire to prevent this fate. Molly is forced to confront her destiny and fight against the encroaching darkness.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Molly Hartley (Haley Bennett): A troubled teenager haunted by her past and a dark destiny awaiting her 18th birthday.
- Joseph Young (Chace Crawford): A popular and wealthy student who takes an interest in Molly, becoming entangled in her supernatural struggles.
- Robert Hartley (Jake Weber): Molly’s father, who tries to protect her from the dark forces connected to her birth.
- Jane Hartley (Marin Hinkle): Molly’s mentally unstable mother, who harbors a dangerous secret about Molly’s origins.
- Dr. Emerson (Nina Siemaszko): The school counselor with a hidden agenda and involvement in Molly’s demonic pact.
- Alexis (Shanna Collins): A devoutly religious classmate who initially befriends Molly but later becomes a threat.
- Leah (Shannon Woodward): Molly’s rebellious and supportive friend who offers her loyalty amidst the chaos.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Molly Hartley’s Mother: “I know what you are.” – Spoken ominously by Molly’s mother, hinting at Molly’s dark destiny.
- Dr. Emerson: “Congratulations, Molly. See you soon.” – The film’s last line, delivered with unsettling calmness, suggesting Molly’s fate is far from resolved.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $5,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $13,559,812
- Worldwide Gross: $15,418,749
💥 The Haunting of Molly Hartley Reviews
Personal Review
I went into this movie hoping for a decent horror experience, but I was left disappointed. The story felt rushed and made very little sense. The scares were cheap and predictable, and I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. It felt like a missed opportunity. Definitely skip this and watch something actually scary instead.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of teen dramas with supernatural elements”
- “Viewers looking for a suspenseful, PG-13 thriller”
- “Those interested in movies with themes of good vs. evil and religious undertones”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Themes of demonic possession”
- “Teen violence”
- “Suicidal ideation”
- “Disturbing images”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “A predictable, cliché-ridden teen horror flick, The Haunting of Molly Hartley fails to deliver genuine scares, relying on jump scares and familiar tropes. While the acting is passable, the plot is uninspired, with a nonsensical twist ending. Overall, a forgettable and unoriginal addition to the genre.
- Hollywood Insider: “Haunting of Molly Hartley suffers from a lack of originality and scares. The film relies too heavily on jump scares and teen drama, failing to create a truly compelling horror experience. While the premise had potential, the execution falls flat, making for a disappointing watch.
Audience Reactions
The attractive cast was the only thing holding people’s attention.: Most viewers agree the plot is weak, and scare tactics are overused, resulting in a generally boring and unfulfilling viewing experience.
Overall Consensus: The Haunting of Molly Hartley is a forgettable and uninspired teen horror film with a weak plot, cheap scares, and uninspired twists.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film’s low rating and negative reviews didn’t stop a sequel, ‘The Exorcism of Molly Hartley’, from being released in 2015.”
- “Haley Bennett, who played Molly Hartley, later starred in films like ‘The Girl on the Train’ and ‘Swallow’.”
- “The film attempts to blend teen drama with supernatural horror, a combination that received mixed reactions from audiences.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Haunting of Molly Hartley?
Currently, ‘The Haunting of Molly Hartley’ is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as offers may change.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Haunting of Molly Hartley, you might like these similar films:
- The Covenant (2006): Features a group of attractive teens dealing with supernatural powers and dark family secrets.
- Jennifer’s Body (2009): A horror-comedy with a high school setting and a female protagonist grappling with demonic possession.
- Rosemary’s Baby (1968): Deals with themes of pregnancy, demonic pacts, and sinister forces influencing a young woman’s life.
- The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005): Explores the themes of demonic possession and the battle between good and evil, although with a stronger emphasis on religious and legal elements.
🛒 The Haunting of Molly Hartley Related Products
- The Exorcism of Molly Hartley [Blu-ray]: The sequel to ‘The Haunting of Molly Hartley’ picks up years later as Molly is now possessed and must be exorcised by an excommunicated priest.
- Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia in the 1980s: Explore the social and cultural phenomenon of ‘Satanic Panic’ and its influence on horror films and pop culture of the 1980s.
- Rosemary’s Baby [Blu-ray]: Roman Polanski’s classic tale of demonic pregnancy is a masterclass in psychological horror and an influence on The Haunting of Molly Hartley.
- Pendulum Board with Planchette: A classic tool for exploring the occult and paranormal, similar to the themes presented in the film.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Haunting of Molly Hartley features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The film follows Molly Hartley, a troubled teenager haunted by her past, who discovers a dark secret about her birth that ties her to a demonic fate upon turning 18.
The film relies more on suspense and psychological elements than outright horror. While it features some jump scares, its overall scariness is subjective and may not satisfy hardcore horror fans.
In the climax, Molly stabs herself to avoid becoming a servant of evil. The ending is ambiguous, implying she may have escaped her fate but with lingering uncertainty about the true outcome.
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