'His House' (2020) – A visually stunning glance into grief and survivor’s guilt

Released just yesterday, His House is a horror written and directed by Remi Weekes. Arriving right on time for Halloween, this movie kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire duration and is also thematically engaging to an exceptional degree.

 

We meet Bol and Rial, refugees who have left a war-torn Sudan to begin a new life in England. While Bol attempts to assimilate and become ‘one of the good ones,’ Rial has difficulty leaving painful and traumatising memories behind, particularly the death of their little girl which occurred  during the treacherous journey.

As they get used to their new home, a council house that their care worker – played by Matt Smith – bemoans is much bigger than his own, the couple experience prejudice
and alienation before they begin to sense a much more sinister presence. The house is haunted by the ghosts of their pasts, taking form in an evil presence known as an apeth, or a ‘witch’. The house itself becomes progressively more dilapidated and terrifying, showcasing stunning visual effects and cinematography. 

 

The tension builds as the couple attempt to hold onto their sanity, seen particularly in Bol’s desperation to appear normal, as they have been warned that if there is any misbehaviour they will have to return home. Meanwhile, Rial becomes more and more isolated; she is taunted by local kids and miserable in the house, retreating further into her memories of the past.

 

The acting is terrific, with Wunmi Mosaku and Sope Dirisu delivering some of the best performances I’ve seen this year. Matt Smith also brings a great presence to his role, although I did find his attempts at a cockney accent quite distracting at times. In total, this is a brilliant film with a brilliant message, and works well both as a horror/thriller, and as a piece of art.