Haunted Mansion Ending Explained, Plot, Cast and Trailer
by Priyanka P
Updated Jul 31, 2023
Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion is a popular horror-themed attraction found in several Disney theme parks around the world. It is known for its spooky and eerie atmosphere, featuring ghostly inhabitants, creepy effects, and a haunted house setting.
The attraction takes visitors on a haunted tour through a mysterious mansion, encountering various ghostly apparitions and supernatural occurrences along the way. The Haunted Mansion has become an iconic and beloved part of Disney's theme park experience, captivating guests of all ages with its mix of spooky storytelling, impressive special effects, and classic Disney charm.
Due to its popularity and enduring appeal, The Haunted Mansion has also been adapted into various forms of media, including a 2003 live-action movie starring Eddie Murphy, and a 2023 movie release. The attraction continues to be a fan favorite, attracting guests from all over the world who seek to experience its ghostly delights and immerse themselves in its hauntingly enchanting atmosphere.
Haunted Mansion Ending Explained
In the ending of Disney's Haunted Mansion movie, viewers are treated to a climactic scene set in a ghostly dining hall, reminiscent of the iconic ride found in Disney parks worldwide. The film, directed by Justin Simien and written by Katie Dippold, not only provides a thrilling conclusion but also delves into the backstories of two beloved characters: William Gracey and Hatbox Ghost.
The movie's central plot revolves around Ben, portrayed by LaKeith Stanfield, a grieving widower and paranormal tour guide. He is hired by a single mother, played by Rosario Dawson, to rid her newly acquired Louisiana estate of invading ghosts.
Along the way, Ben teams up with a group of supernatural sleuths, including Father Kent (Owen Wilson), Professor Bruce Davis (Danny DeVito), and psychic Harriet (Tiffany Haddish). Throughout the film, the characters discover a crystal ball inhabited by the head of legendary medium Madame Leota, portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis.
Madame Leota informs them that most of the ghosts haunting the mansion are not malevolent beings, as they initially believed.One of the characters whose backstory is explored in-depth is William Gracey. Through Madame Leota's narration, we learn that she had once collaborated with Gracey, the mansion's former owner, to help him contact his deceased wife.
However, tragedy strikes when a malevolent spirit takes advantage of Gracey's grief and promises to reunite him with his beloved wife. Believing the entity's deceitful words, Gracey succumbs to despair and takes his own life. This tragic fate mirrors that of the "Ghost Host" or "Hatchet Man" character from the ride, who is depicted as a corpse hanging in the stretching room.
The enigmatic Hatbox Ghost, portrayed by Jared Leto, also has a compelling backstory. The film reveals that his true identity is Alistair Crump. His troubled past involves being expelled from Crump Manor by his father, who disapproved of his deep grief over his deceased mother.
In a chilling twist of events, Crump returns to the mansion, now transformed into a haunted museum, and seeks revenge on his former social circle by murdering them. As a result of his heinous actions, his staff revolts and decapitates him, turning him into a vengeful spirit.
This transformation explains why Hatbox Ghost's head is seen inside a hatbox, a nod to the character's appearance in the California iteration of the ride. Director Justin Simien places significant thematic importance on both characters and their stories, especially in relation to the protagonist, Ben.
Gracey's narrative serves as a cautionary tale, offering a glimpse into what could have become of Ben if he had given in to his grief and misanthropy. On the other hand, Crump's dark and vengeful journey acts as a stark contrast, showcasing the consequences of hatred and revenge.
By exploring these characters' experiences, the movie immerses the audience in the perspective of visitors to the haunted mansion, providing a unique and engaging cinematic experience. Disney's Haunted Mansion movie not only delivers a captivating ending set in a ghostly dining hall but also enriches the viewer's understanding of two iconic characters: William Gracey and Hatbox Ghost.
Director Justin Simien's thematic approach and dedication to fleshing out their backstories add depth and intrigue to the film, making it a rewarding experience for both fans of the iconic ride and newcomers alike.
Haunted Mansion Plot
The plot of Disney's Haunted Mansion revolves around the protagonist, Ben Matthias, an astrophysicist who is working on developing a camera to detect dark matter. He meets and falls in love with Alyssa, a ghost tour guide who has a strong belief in the supernatural.
They get married, but tragedy strikes when Alyssa dies in a car accident. Devastated by the loss of his wife, Ben abandons his career and takes over Alyssa's ghost tour, continuing her legacy. Years later, single mother Gabbie and her son Travis move into Gracey Manor with the intention of turning it into a bed and breakfast.
However, they quickly discover that the mansion is haunted by numerous ghosts. Seeking help with the supernatural occurrences, Ben is visited by Father Kent, a priest, and exorcist, who hires him to photograph the ghosts haunting the mansion.
Initially skeptical, Ben's doubts are shattered when he experiences haunting events himself and is visited by the ghost of Mariner, who compels him to return to Gracey Manor.As the hauntings escalate, Gabbie, Travis, and Kent also find themselves trapped in the mansion, unable to leave.
In search of answers and solutions, Ben and Kent seek out the assistance of Harriet, a psychic with genuine paranormal abilities. Together, they steal blueprints of the mansion from Prof. Bruce Davis, a haunted house historian, to aid them in their investigation.
During their exploration of the mansion, the group stumbles upon a hidden séance room where Harriet successfully contacts the spirit of William Gracey, the mansion's former owner. Through Gracey's ghostly communication, they receive a message directing them to Madame Leota, the legendary medium. However, their attempts to reach Leota are thwarted by a mysterious entity, leaving them in danger.
Bruce, the haunted house historian, arrives later and becomes haunted himself, adding to the urgency of the situation. Determined to unravel the mansion's secrets, the group stays in the haunted mansion and continues their search for Madame Leota's ghost. In the attic, Ben encounters a ghostly bride and finds a locked trunk.
Inside the trunk lies a crystal ball containing the spirit of Madame Leota, the same medium they were trying to contact. Leota reveals to them the tragic past of William Gracey. Gracey had purchased the mansion and sought Leota's help to communicate with his deceased wife. However, this process inadvertently released hundreds of ghosts into the mansion.
Tragically, an evil entity manipulated Gracey, leading him to take his own life, and Madame Leota was imprisoned within the crystal ball. In a desperate attempt to gain more insights, Harriet performs an astral projection, but unintentionally sends Ben's spirit out of his body, leading to shocking revelations about Gracey and the malevolent Hatbox Ghost entity.
Ben and Bruce then seek the help of a sketch artist to identify the Hatbox Ghost as Alistair Crump, a wealthy heir who sought revenge on his social peers but was ultimately beheaded by his own rebellious servants. Crump seizes control of the mansion, trapping the group inside. However, Ben, Kent, and Travis manage to escape.
Learning about Crump Manor, now a historical site, from the Mariner ghost who followed them, they discover that Crump needs someone to willingly give up their life and become the mansion's one-thousandth spirit in order to escape.
The group returns to the mansion, where they confront Crump in the graveyard. Travis, targeted by Crump due to his grief over his father's death, plays a pivotal role in the confrontation. With unity and determination, they banish Crump back to the afterlife using a ritual involving a piece of Crump's hat.
In the aftermath, many of the ghosts choose to stay at the mansion, finding peace with Gabbie and Travis. Harriet regains confidence in her psychic abilities, Kent becomes a real ordained priest, Bruce embraces his newfound friendships, and Ben returns to teaching while adopting a stray cat named Tater Tot, symbolizing his acceptance of Alyssa's love for the snack.
The story concludes with the group celebrating Halloween with the happy haunts at the mansion, marking a joyful ending to their supernatural adventure.
Haunted Mansion Cast
LaKeith Stanfield
Ben
Tiffany Haddish
Harriet
Owen Wilson
Father Kent
Danny DeVito
Prof. Bruce Davis
Rosario Dawson
Gabbie
Chase W. Dillon
Travis
Jamie Lee Curtis
Madame Leota
Creek Wilson
Mariner Ghost
Jared Leto
Voice of Hatbox Ghost
Hasan Minhaj
Sketch Artist
Dan Levy
Vic
Charity Jordan
Alyssa
(uncredited) Winona Ryder
Pat
Jo Koy
Bartender (cameo)
Marilu Henner
Tourist (cameo)
Steve Zissis
Roger
J.R. Adduci
William Gracey
Lindsay Lamb
The Bride
Fedor Steel
Hitchhiking Ghosts
Cast
Character
Haunted Mansion Release Date
The highly anticipated movie "The Haunted Mansion" (2023) made its theatrical debut on July 28, 2023. Fans of the much-loved horror franchise eagerly flocked to theaters to experience the latest installment in the series. Starring a talented ensemble cast, the film promised to deliver a thrilling and chilling experience, immersing audiences in the eerie and ghostly world of the haunted mansion.
As the movie hit theaters, viewers were treated to a captivating and spooky journey filled with suspense, scares, and supernatural encounters. However, for those who couldn't catch the movie on the big screen or prefer the convenience of streaming, they eagerly awaited news of its release on the official platform.
Details about the online streaming date were eagerly sought after, and fans kept a close eye on official announcements and entertainment news sources for updates on when they could enjoy "The Haunted Mansion" from the comfort of their own homes.
Haunted Mansion Trailer
Haunted Mansion Ending Explained
In the ending of The Haunted Mansion (2023) movie, the group successfully confronts the malevolent entity Hatbox Ghost, banishing him back to the afterlife and bringing peace to the haunted mansion, with many ghosts choosing to stay in harmony with the new occupants.
The Haunted Mansion is a popular horror-themed attraction found in several Disney theme parks, known for its spooky setting and ghostly encounters.
The Haunted Mansion (2023) movie was released in theaters on July 28, 2023.
The main characters in The Haunted Mansion (2023) movie include Ben, Harriet, Father Kent, Prof. Bruce Davis, Gabbie, Travis, Madame Leota, Mariner Ghost, Hatbox Ghost, and other actors from the original ride.
The movie follows Ben, an astrophysicist turned paranormal tour guide, who gets entangled in hauntings at Gracey Manor when he teams up with others to confront a malevolent entity, Hatbox Ghost.