Kier-La Janisse’s narrative debut is a spellbinding slice of holiday horror
With the holiday season now upon us, it’s time for the latest installment of The Haunted Season, Severin Films’ homage to the BBC’s A Ghost Story for Christmas, which delivers a short slice of yuletide-themed horror every December. This year, documentarian, Blu-ray producer, and author Kier-La Janisse takes the reins, offering her narrative debut with an atmospheric adaptation of Algernon Blackwood’s The Occupant of the Room.
The tale centers on Minturn (Don McKellar), a weary schoolteacher who arrives late one night at a secluded hotel in the Alps for the holidays. The only problem? Every room is spoken for. After he pleads his case, the staff eventually offers him a room—though with a catch: its previous occupant vanished after venturing into the mountains, and should she return, Minturn will have to vacate immediately. It doesn’t take long for him to feel uneasy in the space, as he can’t quite shake the feeling that something is off.
Running a scant 30 minutes, the episode immediately grabbed me with its bleak, picturesque visuals and impressively layered performances. There’s a cohesive creative vision on display right from the start—one that draws you into this somber and surprising narrative. Paired with strong production design, the cast works in tandem to bring the material to life, delivering an impressive new chapter in The Haunted Season.
The Occupant of the Room is both a spellbinding entry in the series and a showcase for Kier-La Janisse, who proves her deft hand at narrative storytelling. It’s a perfect example of how resourcefulness and well-honed performances can elevate modest means into something memorable. While her next project returns her to documentary filmmaking, I’ll be eagerly awaiting her next foray into narrative work after this striking debut.
