#REVIEW: “THE NIGHT HOUSE”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This Psychological Thriller will constantly keep you on your toes.

It follows Beth (a fantastic Rebecca Hall) in the aftermath of her husband’s, Owen (Evan Jonigkeit), unexpected suicide. Beth now resides in the empty house her late-husband built for them. However, when she begins searching for an explanation for her husband’s decision, she discovers some disturbing and spiritual secrets.

Director David Bruckner has found an effective way to use jump scares that force even the most seasoned horror fan to be on edge. This happens right from the beginning, at times in daylight and with no cues (such as cutting the sound). In doing so, Bruckner forces his audience to expect anything at any time. Thus, creating a continuous atmosphere of fear that is rare in this genre today. Additionally, he uses sound to terrify the audience. He does this most effectively with the use of blaring Beth and Owen’s wedding song on the stereo and the sounds of knocking at the door when no one’s there. These scares are aided by the outstanding performance from Hall.

Most nights Beth is searching through her house. In another’s hands, this could easily have come off as aimless wandering. Yet, Hall puts immense intension behind each of Beth’s movements. Additionally, the grief-stricken Beth doesn’t shy away from death and the afterlife, instead she refreshingly runs toward it. And Hall exposes the curiosity, fear and at times relief that pass through Beth’s thoughts with mastery. Her talent is made more prominent due to her acting with no scene partner. Her ability to make us believe there is someone there with her in the house is masterful. One of the most memorable scenes happens in the bathroom where Beth reaches out for the spirit, who she believes is her late-husband, to kiss him.

Bruckner, along with the Production Design, the Film takes place in a home that is simple and modern. There are no cobwebs, dust and creaking old floors. That’s because Bruckner and the Production Design team have craftily used camera angles and framing to play tricks on our eyes. Making us see spirits where there may —or may not— be any. This plays into the “double” theme throughout the Film. At one point, we see two moons in the sky. This thread plays on the idea of a parallel world, possibly the afterworld. This is somewhere Beth doesn’t believe in but is now questioning in her grief.

And just like any great Psychological Thriller, The Night House makes its audience question as Beth is, leaving the ending open to interpretation. But one thing is for sure, you can’t cheat death.

Searchlight Pictures release THE NIGHT HOUSE on August 20, 2021.