Another of the Blumhouse movies with Patrick Wilson, playing a different character this time. Warning: There be spoilers here.
Again stepping away from using the Amazon description because of how goofy I felt the one for Paranormal Activity was, and also because of how well I know this movie: Family of five has moved into a new home. Almost immediately, one of their children falls into an inexplicable coma. And then the house starts to seem haunted…
Now for the potential spoilers: this movie has a few elements that felt really fresh when I saw them (how many other successful horror movies have astral projection as a theme?), and also some elements from other newer horror movies I like (for example, it isn’t the house that’s haunted — this is much more common recently, and adds a new level to the horror because you can’t get away if it’s not location specific).
One thing I didn’t like about this movie that a lot of movies and shows do: how does Josh (Patrick Wilson), a high-school teacher, afford the house in this movie? Their only income seems to be his as a high school teacher. The house is a palace. C’mon. This isn’t how normal people live.
Another thing I didn’t like: the toy-making demon that seemed sort of like Darth Maul did nothing for me. At all. It took me right out of being scared of any scene it was in. C’mon. If you show your monster it damn well better be terrifying and not goofy.
Countered with something I liked and hated: the freaking old woman, the real haunting figure in the movie, gave me the freaking creeps. I cannot remember the last time I was that creeped out by something in a movie, ever. I believe they called her the dark bride or something and I did not do well with it. Apparently I have a weakness and it’s creepy old scrawny men dressed as women.
All of the actors in this did their job, again including the kids. Blumhouse deserves recognition for getting children to mostly hit the mark in these movies. Given that so many of them incorporate kids that’s a necessity. Nothing else from the report card needs a special mention that I can think of, since I addressed the truly creepy bit above.
This movie also launched an entire universe. Which worked out well since I enjoyed it, and I have at least liked all of the sequels. It’s a solid movie, worth seeing if you like horror of the haunted-person type.
Report Card:
Running Time: An hour forty-three.
Acting: Pretty decent.
Effects: What there is, I like.
Violence: Not much.
Gun Use: N/A.
Gore: No.
Creepy? Parts of this movie creep me right out.
Monster Type? Ghost and Demon.
Funny? No.
Nudity: None.
Pacing: A good slow burn.
