Watch Spooky Stakeout

Spooky Stakeout is a family-friendly adventure movie released in 2016. It stars Alix Bailey, Darragh Barron, and Harry Behan as three young friends, Jack, Danny, and Sean, respectively. The movie is directed by Ruth Treacy and co-produced by her and Julianne Forde. The plot revolves around the three kids who are spending their summer vacation in a sleepy Irish coastal town. While exploring a supposedly haunted house, they witness strange and mysterious happenings that defy explanation. Determined to solve the mystery, they team up with a local girl named Jess, who has a similar interest in the supernatural.

As they delve deeper into the inexplicable occurrences, they discover that the house is haunted by the ghost of a young girl who disappeared decades ago. Along the way, they encounter a series of obstacles that test their courage and ingenuity, such as school bullies, nosy adults, and a rival group of ghost hunters.

Despite the odds against them, the quartet perseveres and eventually uncovers the truth about the ghostly presence in the house. In the process, they learn valuable lessons about friendship, bravery, and the power of teamwork.

The movie has a playful and lighthearted tone that is appropriate for its target audience of children and pre-teens. The humor is gentle and never resorts to crude or offensive jokes. The scares are also mild and won't traumatize young viewers, although there are a few moments of suspense and tension.

The cast delivers solid performances, especially the three leads who have a natural and believable rapport. Alix Bailey is charming as Jack, the group's leader and the most enthusiastic believer in ghosts. Darragh Barron brings a sense of vulnerability and sensitivity to his character, Danny, who is often teased by his classmates for his interest in the supernatural. Harry Behan provides comic relief as Sean, the group's resident skeptic who is dragged along for the ride.

The supporting cast is also noteworthy, with standout performances by Fiona Lucia McGarry as the determined and resourceful Jess, and Peter McNamara and Mark McDermott as the bumbling and hapless ghost hunters. The adult actors, including the parents of the main characters, are less fleshed out but serve their roles adequately.

One of the strengths of the movie is its setting, which is atmospheric and evocative. The Irish coastline serves as a picturesque backdrop for the action, and the dilapidated house where most of the story takes place is suitably eerie and spooky. The cinematography is also impressive, with inventive camera angles and compositions that add visual interest to the scenes.

The music score, by John McPhillips, is appropriately whimsical and playful, with some haunting and melancholic moments that fit the mood of the movie.

Overall, Spooky Stakeout is a charming and entertaining movie that offers a fun and spooky adventure for kids and families. While it may not be groundbreaking or original, it succeeds in delivering a solid and enjoyable experience that will leave young viewers satisfied and perhaps even inspired to investigate the mysteries of the paranormal.

Spooky Stakeout is a 2016 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.