‘Evil remains’
House of Dust is a 2013 American supernatural horror film directed by A.D. Calvo (Sweet, Sweet Lonely Girl; The Midnight Game) from a screenplay co-written with Alyssa Alexandria and Nevada Grey. The movie stars Inbar Lavi, Steven Grayhm, Eddie Hassell and Holland Roden.
Plot:
College students exploring an abandoned insane asylum accidentally shatter canisters holding the cremains of former mental patients. Inhaling the dusty ash filling the air, they’re soon possessed by the souls once held within them. One is a convicted serial killer from 1950…
In the UK, Miracle Media is releasing the film on DVD on 8 July 2019 as The Haunting of Redding Hospital.
Reviews:
“The film is professionally shot, edited, and passes as a polished finished feature. Yet there is nothing to its cinematic style besides traditional three-point lighting schemes and a predictable pattern of establishing exterior, two shot, close-up, rinse and repeat. It functions well enough, but it is as basic as can be.” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt
“It appears that director A.D. Calvo has access to some interesting locations, so it’s awful that he didn’t have much of a story with which to work. And, when you note that it took four people (including Calvo) to “write” said “story”, it’s even sadder […] But, when you are left with bad acting, little story, and no character development, it’s difficult for the viewer to remain committed (pun intended).” Mike Long, DVD Sleuth
“Inbar Lavi as Emma is the standout, making us empathize with her character without having to overdo it. Technically, the film looks good but not too slick, and there’s a bit of an 80s Silent Scream-type vibe to it. After an attention-getting opening sequence, House of Dust settles into yawn-inducing boredom until it slowly makes its way toward being fairly entertaining again.” HK and Cult Film News
The movie looks beautiful, well-photographed by Christo Bakalov but like I stated earlier, nothing engrossing or riveting really happens […] no amount of good performances or admirable photography can save a movie if the script is not there to help back them up.” James McDonald, Red Carpet Crash
“Character’s talking to dogs or bickering in a psychology class do not create any sense of excitement, nor intrigue. Instead, one might look at the film’s runtime as more of a countdown and it is not a countdown to terror; House of Dust is a very subdued affair.” Michael Allen, 28 Days Later Analysis
Cast and characters:
- Inbar Lavi … Emma
- Steven Grayhm … Kolt
- Eddie Hassell … Dylan
- Holland Roden … Gabby
- John Lee Ames … Levius
- Stephen Spinella … Psychiatrist
- Justin James Lang … Clyde
- Alesandra Assante … Allyson
- Nicole Travolta … Christine
- Joy Jorgensen … Blythe (as Joy Lauren)
- Jupiter Baudot … Gauge
- Peyton Clarkson … Melvin
- Laurence Cohen … Orderly #2
- Michael Goodin … Dead Billy
- Kevin Kevin … Orderly #1
- Chase Parsons … Chase
- Anthony Scarpone-Lambert … Ring-around-the-rosie Boy
- Dan Shaked … Mental Patient in Confinement
Technical details:
88 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
