Parsons & U. of Oklahoma Grad Mickey Liddell Directs The Haunting of Molly Hartley, a Halloween Horror Flick

Mickey Liddell may have started out earning his degrees in communications at the University of Oklahoma and commercial interior design at Parsons, but what he’s best known for now is his work as a producer and director. While at Parsons, he worked on designing sets for Broadway plays, became fascinated with the entertainment industry, and ultimately relocated to Los Angeles. After producing television shows like Everwood and Jack & Bobby and films like The Broken Hearts Club and Go, Liddell has now distinguished himself as a man who can effectively communicate with the American youth and has said that he enjoys working with young actors, telling TrailerAddict.com, “I love working with teens.”

In his latest film, The Haunting of Molly Hartley, Liddell was able to again direct young actors, including Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford and new face Haley Bennett, who plays Molly Hartley. The Haunting of Molly Hartley follows the title character as she works through psychological trauma after her mother stabs her. Starting over at a new school, she is plagued by psychotic episodes and eventually uncovers the reason for her mother’s attack: her mother wished to save her from her fate of becoming the Devil’s servant.

To make The Haunting of Molly Hartley frightening, Liddell strayed away from gore and focused on the element of surprise. Today he told CollegeOTR, “To be scary, there have to be times where you relax and then out of the blue—boom! Something happens.” You can expect during the film to have moments where you jump a bit in your seat, whether it’s because something falls from a table after an extended silence or something else… One minute you'll have sweaty palms as you crush on Chace Crawford, the next minute you'll have sweaty palms because something freaky surprised you.

Liddell told CollegeOTR of his decision to direct a horror film, “I’ve always loved the horror genre. There’s not many experiences left that you actually have to go to the movie theatre for… I think what’s really fun about horror is everyone being scared at the same time. It’s a communal experience in that way. I wanted something to get people to go to the theatre.” The Haunting of Molly Hartley will definitely draw an audience, especially because the thriller will be released this Friday, Halloween evening.

Checking out The Haunting of Molly Hartley this Friday is a great Halloween activity. Besides, your date will probably get scared and hold your hand.