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“You know, it’s funny, I spent all this time making this for him… and now I just… kind of wish I would’ve spent all that time with him.”
When Jonah’s beloved grandfather passes away, his dad learns the importance of spending quality time with family. Written and directed by Matt Greene-DeLanghe, the 2024 movie Skelly is a straightforward, warm, Halloween-themed tale about new author Jonah (Jacob Saxton) telling his children the story of how his dad, Dave (John Palladino), along with a group of friends, helped continue the family tradition of building an epic haunted house for Halloween.
Most of Skelly unfolds in flashbacks, with Jonah recalling how his father Dave grappled with the grief of losing his father (Brian Cox), unknowingly distancing himself from Jonah for a bit. Meanwhile, a young Jonah (Judah Abner Paul) struggles with his friends to build a haunted house without his dad’s usual help. Not having his grandfather around makes it even worse. But thankfully, Dave has a change of heart and joins in, helping the kids by crafting some very cool props to scare trick-or-treaters.
The title Skelly refers to a game that Dave’s father grew up playing on the streets of the Bronx, a game he loved sharing with future generations. In fact, the film opens with Jonah’s kids attempting to play the game outside their home. Throughout the film, there’s a strong emphasis on how games and constructive team activities help build stronger bonds. One of the most refreshing scenes in Skelly is when little Jonah makes a pizza at home with his best friend, Kelvin (Devin Trey Campbell), an upbeat and energetic boy.
At just under 90 minutes, Skelly is a wholesome drama that captures the spirit of both autumn and the spooky season with lighthearted charm. From the blazing orange hues of maple and oak trees to seasonal staples like pumpkins, corn husks, and skeletons, Skelly brings a rich visual appeal. However, the pace is on the slower side, and some scenes of Dave working on Halloween projects in the shed run longer than necessary. More scenes between Dave and his father would have brought greater emotional depth to the story. After all, at its core, this is meant to be a tale of fathers and sons, though by the end, it feels more focused on building a successful haunted house to get kids screaming their guts out (which, admittedly, was fun to watch).
The climax of Skelly is celebratory in tone, with the ‘Haunted House’ envisioned by Jonah and his friends finally coming to life. If you’re looking for a film to watch with the entire family, especially with younger kids, Skelly is a worthy pick.
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