In rural Alabama, two couples find themselves in a fight for survival. Running from a maniac (The Tin Man) bent on killing them, they flee deep into the woods and seek refuge in a house. They soon realise that they have been lured to his house and are now trapped. As they huddle around an old fireplace, a tin can falls through the chimney and attached is a message from the killer establishing his house rules. The rules call for their deaths unless they kill at least one of the four. They have less than 12 hours to find a way to survive because the game is over at dawn and everyone dies if the killer's demands aren't met.
Seriously, do not waste your time and money. This is by far the worst movie I've seen. It's total crap. A lady seated behind us was actually snoring throughout the movie. Go figure.
How many more horror movies do we need that revolves around a haunted house?
By the title alone, "House" would have already lost many seasoned horror fans, especially those who are seeking something new. Its simple and not-very-captivating poster also invites negative impressions toward the movie. However, having watched the movie, it's really not as bad as one would have thought.
Some corny attributes seem to have hidden promising points. Something about the narration and plot delivery makes you stick to your seats. It's quite a detailed effort for a small-budget film like this one.
Acting wise, the players that consist of largely unknown faces have done quite an admirable job. If you're the kind of horror fan who values a good story rather than its famous faces, "House" might just tickle your fancy.
The cinematography is also commendable. It delivers the right mood at the right time for such a thriller. Look out for a few scenes, namely the one where Jack and Stephanie's car leaves the accident spot. The blurred shot is composed to develop tension well, building up even more for the following scene.
"House" is definitely a mixed bag with just as many things going for it than it has going against it. Nothing much to shout about but still it's not a bad watch for an unknown thriller.
She has been warned not to enter The House but Shalinee (Inthira Chaloenpura) is a TV reporter assigned to make a documentary about a murder that happened six years ago. It is her duty to check out the crime scene even though a caretaker has refused to let her in. However, even from the outside, Shalinee gets the feeling that The House is haunted. She even manages to capture images of a female ghost on her video camera!
No prizes for guessing what happens next, folks. Contrary to common sense or the need for self-preservation, Shalinee sneaks into the spooky shack at night - ALONE! My point, dear readers, is that Thai director Monthon Arayangkoon is so desperate to scare his viewers that he would conjure all sorts of nonsensical scenes to accomplish his aim. After a while, his attempts get very pathetic because the audience would be one step ahead of him. With all that Haunted House 101 stuff thrown in, you can guess what would happen next - and brace yourself for it.
"The House", also known by its Thai moniker, "Banpeesink", is based on three real-life murder cases that are all connected to a particular house near a hospital. The first case, on 18 Sept 1959, involved a nurse, Nuanchawee Patchara, who was raped, strangled and dumped in a river. The second, on 28 Sept 1999, had a woman named Jarmjuree knifed and cut up into pieces by her boyfriend; and the third, on 20 Feb 2001, involved a woman doctor whose body parts were found near a hotel in Bangkok. How the House is connected to all these cases is open to conjecture but Arayangkoon offers his own reason at the end of the movie. It is a lame one by any count.
Of course, a large part of the movie deals with reporter Shalinee's life, especially her problems with her husband Parnu, and a colleague named Shane who has the hots for her. There are elements of jealousy, spiritual possession and betrayal but these are poorly developed and they lack credibility. Many of the scenes shift so randomly that they are confusing.
Lead star Chaloenpura, who impressed Asian audiences in "Nang Nak", puts up a credible performance as an inquisitive and determined journalist. However, she is largely hampered by a weak script and poor direction that requires her to scream like a brainless schoolgirl. Still, she is the only bright spark in this horror thriller that is more to be tolerated than be thrilled about.
There isn't any good reason to go near this House. You have been warned.
