Our House is about a young man named Ethan (Thomas Mann) who invents a machine that could potentially produce wireless electricity. When he accidentally enhances spiritual activity and brings back the spirits of his recently deceased parents, the machine seems like a wonderful invention. But like everything, with the good comes the bad and when evil spirits begin to appear as well, there may be no turning back from what's been unleashed.
The film is peppered with aerial shots showing the small, tree covered town. These shots convey a sleepy and quiet feeling. But under these trees, as the winds slightly disrupt their leafy covers, people are living lives and cars are driving around on streets. It's what's underneath that the film is focusing on, the interior of what is first seen. What internal struggle are people dealing with? What's underneath the surface of everyday life? More notably, what's underneath the dimension of the living that we can't see and when the dead enter this dimension, is that sustainable? This is the deeper theme of Our House that connects all the events of the film. Looking deeper is healthy and a natural curiosity of the human condition. But digging too deep can lead to pathways that weren't meant to be traveled and release energies that can't be foreseen or understood.
Thomas Mann is excellent as the conflicted Ethan. In the quiet moments that show him dealing with the guilt he feels over the recent death of his parents and him struggling with the new, unexpected routine as caregiver to his younger siblings, Mann demonstrates a deep dramatic range within the simple movements of his face. This range is further shown with a deep hurt in his eyes as he has a conversation with a neighbor regarding his recent loss. It's a subtle, internal performance that is difficult to convey and Mann nails it. He is the heart of the film and successfully elicits the sympathy needed from the viewer.
The excellent screenplay from Nathan Parker and direction of Anthony Scott Burns allows the viewer time to care for the family and show the hurt of the characters, see what drives them and the relationship dynamic between Ethan and his younger brother and sister. The untimely and sudden death of the parents took an emotional toll on the family, and while Ethan continues work on his machine, getting to know these characters is vital to the impact and arrival of the spirits of the deceased parents. And the heightened tension when the darker spirits soon follow.
Our House is an example of strong filmmaking and a wonderful ghost story with touches of science fiction. It features a great cast (newcomer Kate Moyer and Percy Hynes White are superb), and expert pacing that leads to a tension filled and exciting finale. It's a supernatural masterpiece and is a must watch.
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