HIS HOUSE (2020)

 

Written & Directed By: Remi Weekes 

Story By: Felicity Evans and Tony Venables

Cinematography: Jo Willems

Editor: Julia Bloch 

Cast: Sope Dirisu, Wummi Mosaku, Matt Smith, Javier Botet, Maraika Wakoli-Abigaba, Yvonne Campbell, Vivienne Soan, Lola May 

A refugee couple makes a harrowing escape from war-torn South Sudan, but then they struggle to adjust to their new life in an English town that has an evil lurking beneath the surface.

This film is a revelation. It manages to mix culture, history, scares, mood, and atmosphere all into the mix and comes across as a haunting drama and horror film. 

it doesn’t have a typical horror take of a slasher but feels a bit more full in a story in characters and offers us a ghost story though more of a haunting. Where guilt is what has the strength to make matters worse. That doesn’t offer a simple answer though, and gives a way too easy way of an ending. 

It goes into the immigrant experience as well as the guilt of leaving a homeland for another and never quite getting away from or forgetting the ghosts of your pasts.

The characters are haunted by their decisions and how far they are willing to go to get rid of them. Before they let them literally kill them. 

This is the beginning of the renaissance of actor Sope Dirisu after this he continues to be on a roll in the roles he plays always powerful, emotional, and believable with a certain sense of style.

However, that is not to discount Wummi Mosaku performance here as she matches him especially emotionally. They are perfect duet partners throughout as a married couple. Where no matter what each is going through you believe them together and the love and care they have for one another. 

This is writer/director Reemi Weekes debut film and already shows a wealth of talent and skill. This film shows that he knows what he is doing and is in full control of his powers when presenting the story he wants to tell. 

The film is filled with unforgettable images and scary scenes and stays quite inventive, especially with its Locations. It digs into being strangers in a strange land and that alienation. Even though what should bind you to others seems to repel. 

People of color in particular African Americans go through so much in life. Not a fan of seeing them suffering. As it feels like another hardship left to endure onscreen. Here the film manages to tie in that experience. Heightening it makes it more understandable for the audience and others who have never had to go through it. 

Grade: B+