‘Once upon a time…’
House of Darkness is a 2022 American comedic horror film in which a young man finds himself trapped in a secluded mansion with three mysterious women. The trailer says ‘A reimagining of Bram Stoker’s timeless tale’
Written and directed by Neil LaBute (Out of the Blue; Dirty Weekend; Some Velvet Morning; Death at a Funeral; The Wicker Man; The Shape of Things; Possession 2002; Nurse Betty; In the Company of Men).
Produced by Daryl Freimark, Tim Harms, Shelley D. Needham and Shaun Sanghani. Executive produced by Stephen Morgenstern and Jonathan Saba.
The SSS Entertainment production stars Kate Bosworth (The Immaculate Room; The Domestics; Before I Wake), Gia Crovatin, Justin Long (Barbarian; The Wave; Drag Me to Hell; Jeepers Creepers and Jeepers Creepers 2) and Lucy Walters.
Plot:
Driving home to her secluded estate after meeting at a local bar, a player out to score thinks 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…
Release date:
In the USA, House of Darkness will be released theatrically by Saban Films on September 9, 2022, and arrives On-Demand (VOD) and Digital on September 13, 2022. Rent or buy via Amazon Prime
Reviews [may contain spoilers]:
“The script does not rely on twists and is all about building to a reveal. It is just a matter of whether House of Darkness can deliver. The ending is just as patient and frightening as the rest of the film. It is incredibly satisfying and an excellent conclusion to this dark and seductive thriller.” AIPT
“While genre cinema is not always renowned for its acting or well-written dialogue, this is where House of Darkness excels. It’s fascinating because the repartee between the characters is so sharply and smartly penned. Writer/Director Neil LaBute plays with a number of social issues without ever resorting to dogma or hectoring. Instead, House of Darkness is a clever comedy drama wrapped within the trappings of a horror film.” Backseat Mafia
“The light plot and talkative production make House of Darkness a film that won’t work for everyone. But there’s also something admirable about LaBute’s cocky confidence: it’s a considerable risk to lay everything out right at the beginning and then stick to it (It certainly wouldn’t work without LaBute’s fantastic ability with dialogue and the great performances by both leads).” Bloody Disgusting
“The turnaround here is that the seducer becomes the prey, as the ladies have brought him here for a reason he’s blindsided by, and when the horror part of the film kicks in it becomes frightening. The nasty story is deliciously told by the masterful LaBute from the man’s viewpoint, and gives us a cautionary tale that branches out to a sinister horror pic.” Grade: B, Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
“Even when the script is busy checking off various genre boxes, it never forgoes the vital ingredient: the chemistry between Bosworth and Long. Undoubtedly spun from the pandemic thanks to its limited setting and pared-down cast, House of Darkness ends up being dark, intense and engaging from start to finish.” Josh at the Movies
“House of Darkness draws blood better than most of LaBute’s recent fare. It’s a surreal, eerie and intriguing head trip that’s stripped down to the essentials and showcases LaBute’s gift for uncomfortable dialogue.” 3 stars out of 4, The Mercury News
” …despite some impassioned late-stage exposition from Lucie, there’s never a real sense that Hap deserves the treatment he receives; he is simply a cipher for the worst of his sex. Nevertheless, it’s always welcome to see filmmakers presenting a challenge to the patriarchal status quo, even if toxic femininity proves just as damning here as its masculine counterpart.” Screen Daily
“It does not take two long to figure out where House of Darkness is going, though Neil LaBute takes his time with the plot. House of Darkness is written like a play with long dialogue-heavy scenes. While there are attempts to subvert viewer expectations, and there’s one excellent jump scare, the film ends up being a pretty dull watch as you wait for the inevitable conclusion, which, admittedly, is satisfying.” 3 out of 5, Sean Kelly on Movies
“If you’re a man, you may be reluctant to take a new female companion. However, the concluding moments are disappointing, coming out of leftfield and undercutting the whole idea that only guilty men deserve punishment or at least the belief that Hap deserves what’s coming to him. The flawed ending undercuts LaBute’s reputation as a class writer.” Grade: B, Shock Ya!
“House of Darkness neatly comments on the newly uncertain dynamics of modern dating, where “decent guys” claim to no longer know how to proceed. The rules are simple: Consent and respect. And yet, players now find themselves on the defensive. What follows will be some men’s worst nightmare, as the conquest turns against them and the seducer becomes the prey.” Variety
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