Director: Craig R Baxley
Writer: Ridley Pearson (Screenplay) Stephen King (Characters)
Starring: Lisa Brenner, Steven Brand, Kate Burton, Tsidii Leloka, Brad Greenquist, Deirdre Quinn, Tsai Chin, Hans Altwies
Plot: Set at the turn of the century, this is the tale of Ellen Rimbauer who just received this mysterious mansion as a wedding gift from her new husband. Her husband is a Seattle oil tycoon who has a dark past which Ellen eventually finds out about. She becomes fearful of her husband when she learns of some disappearances of people that were close to him. Also there are some unexplained happenings at the Rose Red Mansion that might have a connection to these people who have disappeared. Now Ellen is worried she might be next.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Slow Horror Drama
Story: The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer starts with the diary of Ellen (Brenner) who talks about the house being a spirit house, before flashing back to 1910 where Ellen is just waiting for John Rimbauer (Brand) to propose. John proposes with the Rose Red Mansion as his gift for her.
While on their honeymoon Ellen became sick but thanks to Sukeena (Leloka) her life is saved and a new loyal friend comes home with her. Once the house is opened to live in strange things start occurring in the home with the idea that the house is built upon an ancient Indian Burial Ground.
With the marriage continuing the love starts to dwindle but the house isn’t happy as it starts to make people disappear leading to Ellen having to consult a spiritualist Madame Lu (Chin) for answers. When the second disappearance happens Ellen and Sukeena start to investigate the house themselves looking for answers to the unexplained.
The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer tries to bring us a prequel story to the scare filled Rose Red, but in the end the film ends up becoming very flat just showing the relationship between the Rimbauer’s without offering a single scare. The story tells us just extended scenes of the back story we learn in Rose Red and really just leaves us flat and disappointed that this is in fact just a drama. (3/10)
Actor Review
Lisa Brenner: Ellen Gilcrest Rimbauer is the young lady who marries power oil tycoon John, the wedding present is the Rose Red Mansion but the mansion has a mind of its own as it tries to protect Ellen from all the wrong doings in the house, but when she tries to escape the house comes after he nearest and dearest as she descends into madness. Lisa does a solid job in the role. (6/10)
Steven Brand: John Rimbauer is the oil tycoon that marries Ellen but always wants to be in control but when he tries to control Ellen the house decides to help her fight back. Steven gives a solid performance but never really shines. (5/10)
Tsidii Leloka: Sukeena is the helper Ellen meets in Africa that helps her through a sickness before becoming her most trusted friend, she helps Ellen learn about the house through the film. Tsidii does a solid job throughout. (6/10)
Support Cast: The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer has a supporting cast that mostly includes the people that go missing or seem to be against one member of the Rimbauer’s causing the friction.
Director Review: Craig R Baxley – Craig brings us a horror film with no scares and a drama with nothing interesting happening. (3/10)
Drama: The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer ends up bring the family drama from the high society world in rather boring style. (4/10)
Horror: The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer offers nearly no scares. (1/10)
Mystery: The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer tries to offer a mystery but it really doesn’t because we know what happens. (3/10)
Settings: The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer keeps most of the film inside the mansion but it just doesn’t have the same haunting feeling as the first outing. (5/10)
Suggestion: The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer is one you could easily miss because it gives us nothing in a world created from the first Rose Red. (Avoid It)
Best Part: Nothing.
Worst Part: Ruins what was created.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 28 Minutes
Tagline: Last year Stephen King and Craig Baxley dared you to stay at Rose Red. Now see how the terror began.
Overall: Disappointingly dull horror drama
Rating 
