Directors Michael and Peter Spierig breathe refreshing life into their ghostly film, “Winchester.” The latest addition to the supernatural film-verse centers around the infamous Winchester Mystery House and paints dramatic interpretations of history.

Widow and heiress to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, Sarah Winchester, is played by Academy Award winner Helen Mirren. Mirren’s matronly character desperately constructs hundreds of rooms to appease a multitude of angered spirits, whose lives ended at the pointed end of Winchester firearms.

After Mrs. Winchester becomes a recluse to society, her company hires a doctor to assess her mental state and ability to run the prominent firearm company. Throughout the progression of the film, the doctor is left questioning his sanity and reality, rather than his patient’s, as he faces his own demons inside America’s most haunted mansion.

The day after its February 2 release, “Winchester” grossed $9.7 million on a $3.5 million production budget, according to Box Office Mojo.

Between lower sales than projected and a plethora of mixed reviews from audiences worldwide, “Winchester” fails to raise the bar in the ranks of supernatural horror films. However, the film succeeds in beautifully depicting the elaborate interior of the ghost-infested, seven-story Winchester mansion.

Much of the scenic shots of the film consist of panning over the mesmerizing maze-like hallways, mismatched rooms and the shifty lighting from poorly-planned architecture. These aesthetically-pleasing shots combined with Mirren’s haunting performance leaves the audience intrigued, yet eerily on edge.

The beautiful shots contrast the horror of a dangerously displeasing mansion and embody the sensation of a gothic thriller. Though the cinematography is expertly-crafted, the plot dominates the screen and overshadows the dramatic jump scares.

I would not recommend this film to those seeking true heart-pounding horror, but I would recommend this film to anyone in search of a dark tale with some historical value and aesthetic appeal.