Movies in the genre of "house with a secret" can not be counted. Most of them begin with the fact that the young family moves to an old mansion somewhere in the wilderness or on the outskirts, in which someone before them tragically died or died a terrible violent death. The lion's share of the untimely departed former owners is trying to claim their rights to housing or takes revenge on all newcomers. This motif originates in Gothic literature, where the events of many works unfold in mysterious castles and gloomy fortresses. Over time, the castles transformed into old estates in the countryside, which often themselves act as monsters, for example, Monster House (2006).
Archetypal nightmare
The most interesting experiment in the category “films about houses with secrets” was conducted by director Drew Goddard in tandem with screenwriter and producer Joss Whedon in the project “Cabin in the Forest”. From the very beginning, the viewer begins to think that the picture is a traditional collection of familiar horror clichés, but closer to the final it turns out that the evil is a corporation experimenting with many monsters, which we have the opportunity to contemplate in different genre patterns.
The traditional plot of films about houses with secrets can be considered as yet another archetypal nightmare (evil in the heart of my fortress, at home - a symbol of the family hearth, security and comfort) and an example of universal enthusiasm for fatal mistakes and their consequences. Most often, ghosts, demons and other creatures are associated with the sins of the past - the sins of the community, family, humanity as a whole. So, in the movie “Amityville Horror”, the house was built in an ancient Indian cemetery, and Freddy Krueger takes the lives of children of those who brutally cracked down on him. But sometimes screenwriters show much greater ingenuity.
Non-trivial project
The work of director Nicholas McCarthy's “House”, which received the subtitle “In Front of the Devil's Door” at the national box office, can be safely attributed to films about houses with secrets. The author is known to the public for the film "Pact", which did not become a box office hit, but still found its fans. In the center of the story of his new project is a girl-realtor Lee, who helps a middle-aged couple to sell a big house, not paying attention to the excitement of the owners who decide to get rid of the house urgently. She goes to the mansion to appreciate it, and stays there overnight. With the onset of darkness, a strange girl appears there. Lee realizes that this is the daughter of the owners, they said, had long escaped with a guy. But the truth will be more difficult and worse.
Oppressive atmosphere
In principle, the hackneyed plot about the obsession with McCarthy serves very unusual, in the tape, in fact, there is no main character. The story begins with the backstory of the heroine Ashley Rickards, then Lee rises to the front of the stage, and in the denouement, her sister Vera (Naya Rivera) takes the lead. Like many movie directors about secrets, Nicholas McCarthy builds an exemplary oppressive atmosphere. It is deliberately "slowed down", somewhat "sour", but the technique works properly - the watcher will not tremble with fear, but after the final credits he will surely catch himself on a sensation of a vague aftertaste.
Two more paintings of the same name
The Thai horror film The House (2007) was directed by Monthon Arayangkun. The plot of his work is based on a true story. The girl reporter Shalini is trying to investigate the circumstances of the murders of three women that occurred at different times. As a result of clarifying the circumstances, she finds the house in which it all began. It was in this mansion that three unfortunate victims fell at the hands of their husbands. When the heroine crosses the threshold of the dwelling, she immediately senses the presence of something terrible.
In the American project of Robbie Henson's “House” (2008), two pairs, by alarming coincidence, meet in a gloomy mansion. One is looking for salvation from a pursuing maniac, the second is trying to find help after a car accident. It seems that they are now safe, but acquaintance with the mysterious inhabitants causes the heroes a strong desire to leave the shelter. However, the way back is cut off. So, young people find themselves embroiled in a fierce game with sadistic rules. At dawn, survivors will be able to leave the house. But will they?
Hunt for ghosts and love twists and turns
In the Canadian horror film The Bad Building (2015), directed by Philip Granger, the action takes place in an empty Desmond high-rise building. A series of fires, cases of murder and other madness scare tenants and even homeless people, so the building remains abandoned. One day, Johnny Craig, director of America’s Best Ghosts series, finds out about him and heads home to film a report. Soon the ghost hunt transforms into a story of deadly traps for the hunters themselves.
In the Indian film "The Manor" (2008) by Vikram Bhatt in 1920, the newlyweds Arjun and his wife move to a manor located in the wilderness. After that, they learn that all the previous owners die under mysterious circumstances. It seems that the purchase of the first house will be the end of their family life, the couple begin to doubt each other. But love can save their marriage and lives.
Ghosts of the past
Filmmakers are well aware that the monsters and ghosts that host the old houses send the beholder to the past, literally personifying his ghosts, with whom you need to do something. Do not run away, but learn to communicate in order to help leave forever. This is directly related to the displacement of the traumatic experience into the unconscious. The motive of houses with secrets helps to visualize the viewer these fears and encourage them to comprehend and release them. Instead of a session with a psychoanalyst, you can see high-quality horror.