Hell House LLC: Lineage represents a significant moment in the horror film landscape, with creator Stephen Cognetti announcing the end of his direct involvement in the series. Since launching in 2015, Cognetti has fashioned a unique and chilling narrative across four found-footage films. As he steps away, the future of Hell House LLC looks promising, with Cognetti expressing hope that new stories will unfold, albeit without his directorial influence.
In a recent interview with io9, Cognetti stated, “I am done with Hell House, but that was never to be misconstrued as the story being finished.” He addressed viewer expectations, clarifying that the conclusion of Lineage may surprise those anticipating a neatly packaged finale. “For people that are going to see it on Shudder for the first time, just know that not everything is going to be wrapped up into a nice bow at the end,” he added.
Cognetti emphasizes his attachment to the franchise, sharing: “I’ve had so much fun making [the Hell House LLC movies]. It is my intention to stop making them, not for the story to end.” Although he doesn’t have a successor in mind yet, he holds a wealth of ideas for future projects. “If it ever gets picked up by someone else or in another medium, I would want some involvement,” he said. “Because I actually know what comes next.”
This future is not set in stone, however, as Cognetti is currently without a clear successor to carry on the franchise. “No, there’s no plan. There’s no plans at all for that,” he mentioned, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the next chapter of Hell House LLC.
Even though he has detailed outlines for where the story could go next, Cognetti acknowledges the evolving nature of storytelling. He explained, “I think all stories evolve. Things change over drafts,” including essential character fates. His process, he shared, is fluid, emphasizing, “Nothing ever is just written in stone.”
Reflecting on the franchise’s trajectory, he expressed a bittersweet readiness to move on. “Going into Lineage, I realized, ‘I really cannot make the sixth one so this is going to be it, unfortunately.’” His affection for the series is palpable, as he states it means a lot to him.
Lineage builds on the lore from previous Hell House LLC films, threading together complex narratives that engage dedicated fans. Cognetti originally intended it for a streaming release on Shudder, where all prior films reside. He noted, “This was never supposed to be a theatrical release film,” suggesting that in a cinema context, some of the intricacies might not resonate with newcomers.
What lessons did Cognetti learn through this process? He admitted, “If I had to do it all again … I probably would have changed a lot of things.” Specifically, he would have modified the film’s narrative depth to suit a broader audience. Despite these challenges, he ultimately is proud of the work produced.
Cognetti acknowledges that the growth of Hell House LLC into a five-film franchise with a passionate following has exceeded his initial ambitions. “I only wanted to make one good film,” he reflected, which resonates with aspiring creators everywhere.
He expressed regret at not having had the chance to delve deeper into the narrative history of Abaddon, New York, the fictional setting—“I would love to have dug into [the folklore of Abaddon] a lot more.” He touched on the intricate world-building possibilities that lie in exploring the backstory of locations like the Abaddon Hotel or the Carmichael Manor, opportunities that the narrative structure of Lineage ultimately allowed him to pursue. “It was a lot of fun to be able to do,” he said, wishing he could have done even more.
As Hell House LLC: Lineage prepares for its release on Shudder starting October 30, stay tuned for our upcoming review. Don’t miss out on this thrilling addition to the horror genre—your next favorite film might just be around the corner.
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