Rebecca Hall finds herself amid spooky occurrences in director David Bruckner's The Night House from Searchlight Studios. Beth (Rebecca Hall) is reeling from the unexpected death of her husband and now left alone in the lakeside home he built for her. She tries as best she can to keep it together -- but then the nightmares begin. Disturbing visions of a presence in the house calling to her, beckoning her with a mysterious allure. Against the advice of her friends, she begins digging into her husband's belongings, yearning for answers. What she finds are secrets both strange and disturbing -- a mystery she is determined to unravel.
Ben Collins & Luke Piotrowski open their screenplay for The Night House as Beth returns from her husband's funeral. Hall instantly pulls into her character and her stages of grief. David Bruckner impressed me with his segment "Amateur Night" from 2012's V/H/S. Therefore, I was looking forward to seeing what he would accomplish with a talented actress like Hall at his disposal.
Quite honestly, Hall truly saves the film, mainly when she delivers a line about her character's past, which instantly gives away the plot and ending of the film. Thankfully, this scene is not in the trailer. The supporting cast in the film does not have much to do, which is fine, as this film is to highlight Hall's talent.
At its core, The Night House is a film about grief and mental illness with a bit of a ghost story. Those expecting a nonstop scare-fest may want to steer clear. However, fans of slow-burn horror should check it out.
Final Grade: B-
The Night House is in theaters now
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