Posted by Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard | Jan 19, 2018 | 4 minutes
THE OPEN HOUSEis a new horror movie on Netflix. It has all the makings of a great horror thriller and actually manages to pull it off! Read our The Open House review here!
The Open House has such a simple premise and itworks so well.Imagine moving into a new home, where you have to battle a threatening force.Not in the usual terrorizing way, but a more playful one.
Not exactly an ideal situation for a teenager (Dylan Minette) and his mom (Piercey Dalton). Especially after a tragedy, which leaves them heartbroken and out of a home. They move into the second home of a relative, which is empty but currently for sale.
Hence the open house issue, but otherwise they’re welcome to stay free of charge.
The premise ofThe Open House is very simply the fact that we allow a stranger (realtor) to let other strangers (potential buyers) roam around in our home.
Already watched the movie and feeling confused about the ending of The Open House? Check out our spoiler filled take on it here >
A very honest and real depiction
This movie is more of a horror-thriller than any kind of action-horror movie. The horror and scares are in the details. Much like we know it fromWithin orThe Strangers. It’s the fact that we allknow something is about to happen.
Don’t worry, this isn’t aParanormal Activity deal. Something does happen all the time, but it isn’t necessarily scary. it just cannot be explained in any reasonable or rational way.
The thing that makes it all work so beautifully is the very honest and realistic depiction of the relationship between mother and son. Piercey Dalton portrays the mom, Naomi, while Dylan Minnette plays her son, Logan.
They have a very real and – at times – harsh way of communication. Their relationship is honest and when he gets out of line, she calls him out immediately. Really a refreshing look at what parenting is in the real world.
Dylan Minnette already has quite a diverse horror track record from Let Me Inand GoosebumpstoDon’t Breathe. He’s working almost non-stop and consistently delivers good performances.
For me, however, the real star ofThe Open House is Piercey Dalton. She is heartbreakingly good and so perfectly intense when the scene calls for it. I can’t wait to see her in future projects!
The same goes forPatricia Bethune (True Blood), who does an excellent job in her supporting role.
The very real horror of it all
I kept expectingThe Open House to come along with some silly plot twist. Instead, it stayed in the right line and continued to be scary in the most creepy way. The kind of way that isn’t unrealistic at all.
When something is misplaced or shows up in a strange place, you would probably make nothing of it at first. Later on, you start to blame someone else. Finally, you have to accept that something is wrong.
Also, Ilove the fact that we’re clearly supposed to be suspicious of everyone. I mean, of course, we’re going to be searching for the bad guy (or gal) in any horror movie anyway.
And sure, you will probably identify the source of all their torment. Or maybe you won’t? It will certainly be an interesting ride in either case.
The new duo behind The Open House
I didn’t expect to like this movie as much as I did, but I think it is well worth watching. Just don’t expect something along the lines ofDon’t Breathe. This is much more subtle and very much a horrorthriller.
The Open Housewas written and directed by Suzanne Coote and Matt Angel. This is their first project together, and even marks the feature film debut for Suzanne Coote. She has written and directed a short film prior to making this while Matt Angel has a TV movie under his belt.
Actually, Matt Angel isn’t exactly new to the industry. It’s just that he usually works in front of the camera. One of his more recent jobs was portraying a young version of Star Wars director George Lucas onLegends of Tomorrow.
Congrats to both Suzanne Coote and Matt Angel on a very interesting and entertaining movie. And a great addition to Netflix in the horror-thriller genre. I can’t wait for the next one!
The Open House is available on Netflix worldwide from January 19, 2018.
Details
Directors: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote
Writers: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote
Stars: Dylan Minnette, Piercey Dalton, Sharif Atkins, Patricia Bethune
Plot
A teenager (Dylan Minnette) and his mother (Piercey Dalton) find themselves besieged by threatening forces when they move into a new house.
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Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
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