His House – Netflix Review (4/5)

HIS HOUSE is a new Netflix horror drama. However, do not be fooled by the inclusion of drama in this description: It is FULL of horror! The terrifying kind that you cannot escape. A horror that works both in a physical and psychological sense. Read our His House review here!

HIS HOUSE is a new Netflix movie in the horror and drama crossfield. However, people expecting a drama with “a touch of horror” will likely be terrified by this movie. It is actually scary as hell in so many different ways.

For some, the psychological horror aspect might be the worst (or, you know, best!) while others will find fear in the physical manifestations of horror. This is not an easy movie to watch, but the story really does hold up – also, it includes some of the best twists I’ve witnessed in a long time.

Continue reading our His House review below and check it out on Netflix.

Wunmi Mosaku shines again!

We’ve just swooned over Wunmi Mosaku as Ruby Baptiste in Lovecraft Country on HBO. Now she’s back in His House where she has one of the two starring roles. Yet again, she is simply brilliant and shines in every scene. Whether she’s fighting to be strong or giving into grief. I cannot wait to see Wunmi Mosaku again because she is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors!

Starring alongside her is Sope Dirisu who you might recognize from the Humans or Gangs of New York TV series. Also, he was in the Black Mirror episode “Nosedive” from 2016, where he definitely made an impression as well. Even if it was just a tiny role really.

Also in the cast is one of our absolute favorites: Horror movement actor Javier Botet. We recently saw him portraying an actual character while showing his face and having some dialogue in 32 Malasana Street on Shudder. Now, we’re “seeing” him in his element as the amazing body horror actor. No doubt in several different roles as those haunting our two main characters.

Finally, I should mention that Matt Smith (yes, the one from Doctor Who) has a supporting role that becomes very important along the way.

Not your average horror movie

The eerie, dark, and downright horrifying vibe of this Netflix horror movie is actually amazing. However, a fair warning is undoubtedly necessary; The His House movie does require you to actually think and understand that we’re dealing with trauma and PTSD that become physically manifested.

We’re not dealing with the classic demons that can “simply” be dealt with by way of exorcism. His House just isn’t your average horror movie in any way. In other words, do not be fooled by the plot description that makes it sound like something you’ve seen before. The horror in this one is much deeper, darker, and real.

Of course, this also means it’s a Netflix movie that will probably land in the “love it or hate it” minefield. It requires that the viewer pays attention and we all know that our collective attention span is far from impressive these days.

The ending of His House movie

We recognize that many will want to have the His House ending explained or want to understand the ending of His House better. And I definitely appreciate that. However, I would honestly recommend just watching it uninterrupted and paying attention.

No, I’m not trying to be a smartass. Instead, I’m simply saying that it’s all explained during the movie. To give a hint, I can say that it’s about the ghosts of our past and how they stay with you. Also, the choices you make have consequences and you will live with (or die from not accepting) those consequences.

When you’re a refugee escaping a wartorn country (like South Sudan in His House), you will undoubtedly see – and maybe do – unspeakable things. So we’re dealing with huge life-changing decisions which most of us will never have to.  Nothing is straightforward with His House but all the answers are there if you just pay attention and keep an open mind.

Or you can just sit back, be “sort of” watching it, get terrified every now and then, but not understand anything. Both could work, I suppose. However, then it will be difficult to understand the story of His House and you’ll be wanting it to be explained to you.

Watch the His House movie on Netflix

Remi Weekes is the director of His House and this is his feature film debut – and a very impressive one at that. Not only due to the nature of its content but also in terms of staying true to the core of this story. Remi Weekes also wrote the screenplay based on a story crafted by Felicity Evans and Toby Venables.

The movie originally premiered at the Sundance Film Festival back in January of 2020. Now, it’s finally making its way to a huge international audience. Even though this is not an easy movie to watch, I really urge you to give it a chance. It is just a tad too long for my taste, but that’s a minor issue really.

Check out His House for a different kind of horror movie that definitely does not shy away from delivering on straight-up brutality. Also, it is heartbreaking in many ways, but the love between the two main characters is evident, which is a ray of sunshine in this very dark and sinister story.

His House is out on Netflix from October 30, 2020.

Details

Director: Remi Weekes
Writers: Felicity Evans, Toby Venables, Remi Weekes
Stars: Wunmi Mosaku, Sope Dirisu, Matt Smith, Javier Botet