Dark Shadows (2012)

The dark fantasy film Dark Shadows (2012), directed by Tim Burton, is based on the gothic television soap opera of the same name. In 1760, young Barnabas Collins and his wealthy family relocated from Liverpool to Maine, where they built the Collinwood Mansion and founded the town of Collinsport. However, fifteen years later, Barnabas finds himself in a complicated situation. He is engaged to Josette but is also having an affair with Angelique, a servant who happens to be a witch. When Barnabas rejects Angelique, she uses her magic to murder his parents and place a curse on him. In addition, Angelique casts a spell on Josette which leads to her tragic death at Willows Hill. Overcome with grief, Barnabas tries to end his own life but fails due to being cursed by Angelique as a vampire. Feeling betrayed and ostracized by the townspeople who have turned against him under Angelique’s influence, he ultimately meets his fate – being entombed alive in a coffin.

In 1972, Maggie Evans, using the name Victoria Winters, is hired to be the governess for the Collins family. She becomes acquainted with the current residents of Collinwood: Elizabeth Collins, her teenage daughter Carolyn, Elizabeth’s brother Roger and his young son David. David is convinced that he is being visited by his deceased mother’s spirit. Additionally, there is a resident alcoholic psychiatrist named Dr. Julia Hoffman. Meanwhile, a construction team mistakenly releases Barnabas from his tomb while building a McDonald’s nearby. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Barnabas hypnotizes the caretaker Willie and reveals to Elizabeth that the family curse and their long-lost ancestor are in fact true. He then requests to rejoin the family and proceeds to show Elizabeth the secret passageways and hidden treasures within the manor.