Remi Weekes' "His House" is a powerful and unsettling debut that uses the familiar tropes of the haunted house genre to explore the profound trauma and displacement faced by refugees. The film centres on Bol and Rial, a couple who have fled war-torn South Sudan, only to find themselves in a dilapidated house in England, where they are subjected to both the mundane horrors of bureaucracy and racism, and the terrifying manifestations of their past. The performances of Wunmi Mosaku as Rial and Sope Dirisu as Bol are exceptional, grounding the film with raw emotion and palpable fear.
They convey the weight of their experiences with a depth that makes the supernatural elements feel like a natural extension of their internal struggles. Matt Smith provides solid support as their case worker, embodying the well-meaning but ultimately detached system they navigate. Weekes expertly crafts an atmosphere of dread, where the peeling wallpaper and unsettling noises within the house mirror the couple's fractured psyches.
The cinematography by Jo Willems enhances this, often keeping the camera close to the actors, claustrophobically drawing the audience into their mental state. The film successfully balances its allegorical intent with genuine scares, making the horror feel both personal and universal. While the narrative occasionally grapples with balancing its metaphorical weight, "His House" remains a compelling and deeply affecting film.
It’s a testament to the power of horror to address complex social issues, offering a unique and terrifying perspective on the immigrant experience, survival guilt, and the search for a safe haven.
Netflix