10 Horror Movies Based On True Stories (That Were All Lies)

During the late 19th century, Sarah Winchester inherited the firearms company, Winchester Repeating Arms Company fortune. Following the deaths of her husband and daughter, she became consumed by grief and spent the last 38 years of her life turning her mansion into an elaborate and non-sensical labyrinth.

Although these historic elements are portrayed in 2018's Winchester, accuracy is a word that shouldn't be associated with this horror drama. Though it's been theorised Sarah restructured her home to confuse or trap ghosts, her friends, associates, and employees said she never came across as superstitious. She was deeply troubled and eccentric, but didn't behave deranged like her movie counterpart. Also, the plot-point that Sarah is being tormented by spirits who died from her husband's rifles stems from an urban legend.

Also, many stories centred around Sarah were concocted to jazz up her home after it was converted into a tourist attraction. For example, the real-life tour guide claims Sarah had a special room for nightly seances (as is depicted in the film). But not only did this never occur, the room in question belonged to Sarah's gardener.

Sarah Winchester's life was marred with such grief and tragedy, this feature could've been a gripping character study, even without the spooky elements.