Film Review: House of Darkness (2022)

SYNOPSIS:

Justin Long and Kate Bosworth star in this seductive thriller from director Neil LaBute (The Wicker Man). Driving home to her secluded estate after meeting at a local bar, a player out to score t

hinks his beautiful, mysterious date will be another casual hook-up. While getting acquainted, their flirtation turns playful, sexy and sinister. Hoping to get lucky, his luck may have just run out.

REVIEW:

Directed and written by Neil LaBute, House of Darkness stars Kate Bosworth, Gia Crovatin, Justin Long, and Lucy Walters. So, Justin Long is driving Mina (Kate Bosworth) back home from the bar. She lives in the middle of nowhere… Like, no people, no noise, no sounds, just crickets… middle of nowhere.

I want to say this is such a supernatural film, Mina could be a killer ghost. It slightly reminds me of Campfire Tales with Jacinda Barrett, don’t hate me, that’s the first thing that came to my mind, Jacinda’s character Heather in the segment “The Locket.” That was a fun movie, watch it.

Mina and Justin’s character are delving into predator/prey territory. This estate is beautiful… Okay, here is location tangent. I’m fascinated by filming locations. I think buildings, houses, location etc., often become characters within the film. Justin Long’s character is baffled by the estate. Justin Long’s character is something else… He’s married, he’s not married, he’s separated… Do men truly tell anyway?

Everybody wants it fun, until you start to bite… Justin Long’s character is completely unaware of what’s happening, Mina is toying with him. He’s trying to figure her out to get laid and she’s all about the mind f*cking. Oh, Justin’s characters name is Hap. There are some noises flowing around the house. There it is, “you’re fucking toying with me.” He’s a “fibber” and a douche bag.

Neil LaBute delivers with a fascinating story. The pace is good, there is conversation between the characters. Oh, Lucy (Gia Crovatin) shows up, Lucy is Mina’s sister. Oh, Hap got himself in quite the situation. It’s easy to see what Hap wanted and now he’s in a twisty situation. Hap is most definitely rethinking his decision.

Lucy takes over for a while now, and she’s going for the, “let’s scare the shit out of Hap”. Hap has moved on from Mina and he’s hitting on Lucy with his tackiness and gusto he can muster up. Justin Long is a good actor, he has that likeable quality but Hap is transparent and Justin Long gives the character a sense of realization.

Mina and Lucy will be playing games and telling ghost stories now. Hap now has a slight realization but still isn’t sure if he was dreaming or not. Oh, here comes Nora (Lucy Walters). Neil LaBute writing in a jump scare scene, and then having the character mention it, that’s a good move. People never truly take other people’s feelings into consideration.

JIGSAW has entered the chat; JIGSAW get back on your shelf. He heard the word “games” and that was it. Hap’s mad now that he won’t be getting laid, he can’t give his friend the play-by-play, a childish move on his part. Maybe they’re dead? Maybe they are involved in witchcraft?

Kate Bosworth, Gia Crovatin, and Lucy Walters do an amazing job in House of Darkness. They are the final girls, the women who don’t take shit. There are few little things to pay attention to in House of Darkness, it’s ominous and invigorating as a film. I would recommend watching House of Darkness, it’s a sexy supernatural thriller with a twist. You can see it coming in many ways but Neil did an excellent job.

Neil LaBute, please write and direct even more films. I’m sure many people know that Neil LaBute directed Nurse Betty, The Wicker man (2006), Black Chicks (2017), and more. His talent is unparalleled.

Written and directed by Neil LaBute (In the Company of Men, Nurse Betty, The Wicker Man, Lakeview Terrace), the film stars Justin Long (Jeepers Creepers, Accpeted), Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns, Blue Crush), Gia Crovatin (I Feel Pretty) and Lucy Walters (Tesla, “Get Shorty”).