The Open House – Netflix Review (4/5)

THE OPEN HOUSE is 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 it works 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 of The 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 from Within or The Strangers. It’s the fact that we all know something is about to happen.

Don’t worry, this isn’t a Paranormal 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 In and Goosebumps to Don’t Breathe. He’s working almost non-stop and consistently delivers good performances.

For me, however, the real star of The 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 for Patricia Bethune (True Blood), who does an excellent job in her supporting role.

The very real horror of it all

I kept expecting The 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, I love 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 of Don’t Breathe. This is much more subtle and very much a horror thriller.

The Open House was 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 on Legends 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.