Review: House of Darkness Brings an Ominous, Seductive Twist to a Classic Tale – The Mary Sue

Sick of horror movies whose plot centers on a woman in peril? You wont find one here. I love movies like It Follows (2014) and Revenge (2017), where women are able to take back power. But its also nice to see a movie where women arent suffering the entire time. Neil LaBute (writer and director) decided not to be a clich and twisted the classic trope of a woman going home with a man. This time, its not about the woman being in danger, its about a man in danger. You know Bram Stokers Dracula? Well, this a new take on that horror tale, baby, and that means were all in for a world of seduction. And fright, of course, because duh.

House of Darkness (2022) follows a douchebag (sorry, not sorry) named Hap Jackson (Justin Long) who drives the stunning and mysterious Mina (Kate Bosworth) back to her gothic estate. Hap has it in his head that hes going to get some. But this easy, one-night stand isnt going to be easy at all. Its all a game, and Hap just happens to be playing it as soon as he steps inside.

Naturally, as this is a modern take on Dracula, theres style in spades in this adaptation. Minas estate is ominous and sexy. And the blend of eroticism with gigantic, menacing red flags (which Hap doesnt quite see because he has other things, like getting in Minas pants, on his mind), is perfect for Dracula, a story thats always been steeped in sexuality. House of Darkness questions what happens when the power dynamic is off in a sexual encounter. As the movie carries on, and Mina becomes increasingly sinister, Hap is forced to confront his lack of power and controlsomething he isnt used to as a straight, white man. Mina doesnt play fairly, and Hap is in trouble, but with the character as unlikable as he is, it becomes harder and harder to care about Haps safety.

The horror is subtle in House of Darknesswhich favors dread and unease over a blood-soaked thrill ride with nudity. Theres horror in Haps, and later, Minas, lack of respect for consent and honesty though, for Hap, its in the form of the subtly insidious way nice guys push past boundaries or lie to get what they want. Hap doesnt try to assault Mina, he simply hints and pushes until it becomes uncomfortable. He believes himself to be charming, but in this film, its clear that this particular brand of assertiveness isnt charming at all.

House of Darkness (2022) asks you to think about the role reversal with Hap and Mina. While he thinks that hes got her in his hands, shes the one playing with him the whole movie. But unlike the horror movies that have us rooting for the final girl, we, instead, are left to root for the supposed monster(s). Its nearly impossible not to be drawn in by Kate Bosworths sultry movements and intense performance as Minaand it deserves a classic slow clap. If some of us werent well versed in horror, wed probably fall for charms as well.

You can watch House of Darkness in theaters on September 5th or on demand/digital on September 13th.

(featured image: Saban Films)

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Review: House of Darkness Brings an Ominous, Seductive Twist to a Classic Tale - The Mary Sue

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero