But after a while, the preponderance of creepy teases - a freaky doll, a bloody ghost, a surly handyman, a chorus of whispery voices and more - makes this feel like a supernatural thriller that can't settle on how exactly it wants to scare the audience.

The Child Remains is typical of the kind of dumpster material we're getting these days at the movies.

There’s certainly an authority and dedication from both director and cast to the unholy mess of it all, but ultimately, The Child Remains is all sizzle, no (baby) steak.

The film has some stunning shots and good performances that elevate it past something that could have been marked off as a "movie of the week" type of film.