An unnerving no-frills psychological horror that makes the best use of sound against an artful direction.
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Every individual processes grief differently. With The Night House, we get a front-row seat of how Beth (Rebecca Hall) deals with the unexpected death of her husband Owen (Evan Jonigkeit), all while living alone in a beautiful lake house he built in (what looks like) the middle of a quiet forest. Yes, that’s as straightforward and no-nonsense as it gets, safe for the unnatural elements that soon unravel and come into play.
It goes without saying that Hall was perfectly cast to lead this film. Delivering a committed and unwavering performance as if she’s lived the story. She always did remind me of Shelley Duvall (with more backbone). But that's beside the point.
The Night House may not be one of the most talked-about films of the year like Ari Aster’s Hereditary was back in 2018 but it does have a pretty memorable scene that could keep you up at night. And unlike your everyday horror films, this one is beautifully shot at a serene location with impeccable use of sound.
One of the best examples of the standout sound mixing in the film is in the aforementioned scene. No amount of jump scares would’ve prepared you for the big one that happens in this film. A scare that tonally and visually lasts longer than a conventional jump scare does, with a jarring sound that displaces you, leaving you on the edge for the rest of the film. I could physically feel my body tense up every time night befalls and Beth closes her eyes to sleep as if preparing myself for another jump scare that never comes but I wouldn’t have known. It’s always when you least expect it that a sequence like this truly excels.
Unfortunately, the conclusion was too underwhelming for a film that spent solid effort on its build-up. The Night House may have fallen short in its final act but it’s still worth watching. Especially that scene. That scene was made for a cinematic experience.
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