The Hell House LLC universe expands with its most chilling installment yet—Lineage. This prequel-sequel hybrid unravels the origins of the infamous Abaddon Hotel’s curse while delivering fresh nightmares for a new group of unsuspecting victims. Set decades before the original film, Lineage follows the Carmichael family, whose fate becomes intertwined with the hotel’s dark history through a series of grotesque carnival attractions and a sinister clown cult. But when present-day investigators uncover their story, they realize the horrors of Hell House never truly died—they’ve been waiting.

Blending found-footage terror with classic haunted house dread, Lineage promises to deepen the franchise’s mythology while delivering the same relentless scares that made Hell House LLC a horror staple. From new twists on the iconic clown figures to never-before-seen archival footage of the hotel’s earliest atrocities, this film will shock longtime fans and newcomers alike. Director Stephen Cognetti returns to helm the project, ensuring the same gritty, immersive style that turned the original into a sleeper hit.

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Meet the Cast of Hell House LLC: Lineage

1. Elizabeth Vermilyea as Vanessa Shepherd

Elizabeth Vermilyea stars as Vanessa Shepherd, a tenacious journalist determined to expose the truth behind the Abaddon Hotel’s bloody legacy. Vermilyea brings a grounded intensity to the role, portraying Vanessa as both skeptical and vulnerable—a perfect audience surrogate as she descends into the hotel’s madness. Her investigative drive mirrors real-life horror journalists like Vera Farmiga in The Conjuring, but with a modern, relentless edge.

This film marks a career-defining performance for Vermilyea, who underwent rigorous preparation to authentically capture Vanessa’s unraveling sanity. From poring over cryptic police reports to filming claustrophobic solo scenes in the hotel’s bowels, her commitment elevates Lineage beyond typical found-footage fare. Vanessa’s arc—from curious outsider to desperate survivor—will leave audiences breathless.

2. Searra Sawka as Alicia Cavalini

Searra Sawka takes on the role of Alicia Cavalini, a paranormal researcher whose expertise in occult history makes her both an asset and a target. Sawka’s performance balances academic curiosity with mounting dread, as Alicia’s knowledge of the Carmichael family’s ties to the hotel becomes a liability. Her chemistry with Vermilyea’s Vanessa provides emotional stakes amid the escalating horror.

Sawka, a rising scream queen, delivers standout moments—particularly in a séance sequence gone horrifically wrong. Her ability to oscillate between analytical calm and sheer terror makes Alicia one of the film’s most compelling characters.

3. Mike Sutton as Father David

Mike Sutton plays Father David, a defrocked priest with firsthand experience of the Abaddon’s evil. Sutton brings gravitas and world-weariness to the role, his haunted eyes hinting at unspeakable encounters. Unlike typical horror movie clergy, Father David is no savior—he’s a broken man whose past failures make him a tragic figure.

Sutton’s monologue about the hotel’s “hunger” is a masterclass in understated horror, proving that Lineage’s scares aren’t just about jump scares, but psychological decay.

4. Joe Bandelli as Hell House LLC Clown & Carnival Clowns

Joe Bandelli returns as the franchise’s most iconic monster—the Hell House Clown—while also embodying a new generation of carnival-themed horrors. Bandelli’s physicality (honed through years of circus training) makes every twitch and grin feel inhuman. This time, the clowns aren’t just props—they’re active participants in the hotel’s rituals.

Behind the scenes, Bandelli worked closely with Cognetti to develop the clowns’ eerie “language” of gestures, ensuring their movements feel unnervingly coordinated. His performance will redefine how audiences view mannequins—and clowns—forever.

5. Cayla Berejikian as Catherine Carmichael

Cayla Berejikian portrays Catherine Carmichael, the matriarch of the doomed Carmichael family. Berejikian channels 1970s horror heroines like Rosemary’s Baby’s Mia Farrow, her performance radiating quiet desperation as she tries to protect her children from forces she doesn’t understand. Flashback sequences reveal Catherine’s heartbreaking choices, adding depth to the franchise’s lore.

A period-set séance scene, where Catherine first encounters the hotel’s influence, stands as one of the film’s most disturbing moments—thanks to Berejikian’s raw emotional delivery.

6. Victoria Andrunik as Margaret Carmichael

Victoria Andrunik plays young Margaret Carmichael, Catherine’s daughter whose psychic sensitivity makes her a beacon for the hotel’s entities. Andrunik’s performance is astonishing for such a young actor, particularly in a chilling sequence where she “converses” with something under her bed.

Her arc—from innocent child to something… else—will haunt viewers long after the credits roll.

7. Gideon Berger as Patrick Carmichael

Gideon Berger’s Patrick Carmichael is the family’s skeptical patriarch, whose arrogance blinds him to the danger until it’s too late. Berger nails the 1970s-era “rational man” archetype, making his eventual breakdown all the more satisfying.

A scene where Patrick discovers his wife’s hidden occult research (shot in one unbroken take) showcases Berger’s range from confusion to abject terror.

8. Bridget Rose Perrotta as Margot Bentley

Bridget Rose Perrotta appears as Margot Bentley, a carnival medium whose fraudulent act accidentally taps into real evil. Perrotta steals every scene with her flamboyant delivery, making Margot’s inevitable demise feel tragically earned.

Her final scene—a “performance” for an audience of mannequins—is a masterwork of escalating dread.

9. Destiny Leilani Brown as Rebecca Vickers

Destiny Leilani Brown plays Rebecca Vickers, a local historian whose archive holds the key to the hotel’s past. Brown brings warmth and wit to the role, making her eventual fate one of the film’s most shocking moments.

Her research montage (intercut with 1970s atrocity footage) is a highlight for horror buffs craving lore.

10. Nicholas Stoesser as Max

Nicholas Stoesser’s Max is the film’s wild card—a conspiracy theorist whose YouTube channel documents the hotel. Stoesser’s manic energy provides levity, but his final live-streamed sequence (a clear nod to REC) will leave audiences speechless.

11. Emily Fan as Crystal

Emily Fan rounds out the cast as Crystal, a thrill-seeking influencer who treats the hotel like a viral challenge. Fan’s portrayal of Generation Z arrogance curdling into primal fear feels ripped from modern creepypasta culture.

Her death scene—filmed via iPhone—is a brutal commentary on digital-age horror.

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Why Lineage Matters

More than just another sequel, Hell House LLC: Lineage bridges the gap between the original trilogy and future installments while standing on its own as a masterclass in practical horror. By exploring the Carmichael family’s tragedy, the film asks: Can evil be inherited?

With its mix of archival 16mm footage, modern found footage, and traditional cinematography, Lineage pushes the franchise into bold new territory. Early test screenings have already sparked debates about its most cryptic clues—particularly a mid-credits scene teasing Hell House LLC 4.

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Will You Survive the Experience?

Hell House LLC: Lineage opens in theaters August 20, 2025—just in time to ruin your summer with sleepless nights.