Film fans often find themselves drawn to the thrills of a gripping horror movie. Despite their spine-chilling nature, these films have a knack for keeping audiences riveted and perched precariously on the edge of their seats. For enthusiasts of the genre, there’s good news, as Netflix is currently streaming a horror sensation that’s garnered resounding acclaim. Released in 2020, His House comes from the creative mind of writer-director Remi Weekes, and features Wunmi Mosaku, Sope Dirisu and Matt Smith in lead roles. The storyline follows a South Sudanese refugee couple as they attempt to settle into a new life in an English town, unaware of the malevolent presence that lurks beneath.
The film quickly earned plaudits from critics upon its release and has also captured the hearts of viewers. Boasting an impeccable 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has sparked passionate discussions among fans online, particularly on Reddit, with some labelling it as “the best” horror flick of its time.
One viewer shared their thoughts online, writing: “So just watched His House on Netflix (which I’ve been struggling to find good movies on lately), and was pleasantly surprised by this one. Very atmospheric, emotional and at times genuinely scary. Went to Reddit to see if there was much discussion for it, and I’ve found very little, so figured we could get some going.”
A viewer expressed: “I watched it blind and really enjoyed it. It works as an emotional horror film with some genuinely chilling moments.
“The mixing of the real world horrors of refugees with the supernatural horror elements was genius. It did seem to follow some cliche haunted house tropes, but I suspect that was on purpose to allow the audience to feel familiar in an unfamiliar narrative.
“The sunset scene in the ocean is stunning and the meeting of the witch in the dark was haunting (great voice actor). Some of the ‘ghosts’ had a great design while others did look a bit cheesy. For the performances alone it’s worth a watch (Wunmi Mosaku is great in everything she’s in).”
Another chimed in with: “Best horror I’ve seen since Midsommar and The House That Jack Built! I love how emotional and real this got, and it works as both a ghost story (backed by folklore) and a drama about survivor’s guilt. Very moving, and scary at parts! The witch during the dream scene is so memorable. Incoming nightmares.”
A third added their thoughts, saying: “I loved this movie. I didn’t expect or was able to predict any of the scenes. It captivated me from beginning to end.”
Furthermore, another enthusiast remarked: “Best film of the year. All the greatest horror films have subtext, there was a lot of it here. Visually great too, the scene when the dead were rising out of the water around him was striking.
“Also the last scene where you see the divide between the survivors and the people who didn’t make it. It’s brilliant that shot ended up being the poster for the film, by the end you understand why.”
(Image: Netflix)
Rotten Tomatoes has also seen viewers heap praise on the film. The review site says: “Featuring genuine scares through every corridor, His House is a terrifying look at the specters of the refugee experience and a stunning feature debut for Remi Weekes.”
Enthusiasts have lauded the film for capturing the “essential part” of horror films – the fright factor itself. Moreover, it has been hailed as a “nerve-jangler”.
A viewer commented: “His House is a terrifying debut that breathes a fresh voice into the haunted-house subgenre.” Another expressed anticipation, writing: “I cannot wait to see what director Remi Weekes does next.
“His House blew me away with how it successfully reinvents the haunted house story to explore the horrors of being an immigrant in a xenophobic world.”
Someone else added: “His House cares deeply about both parts of that equation. It’s touching. It’s thoughtful. It’s unrelentingly scary. It’s horror.”
