Dealing with domestic violence is already a terrifying and real story for many people, but when it is combined with the supernatural, it makes for a truly horrific experience. Latest movie, initially released on October 1st, 2013 by Phase4Films and Shooting Creek Films, House of Good and Evil focuses on the story of a young couple in the midst of a tumultuous relationship. Filmed in Baltimore, Maryland, written by Blu de Golyer (Hillbilly Horror Show 2014), and directed by David Mun (Finding Waldo 2015), House of Good and Evil shares elements of films such as Amityville Horror (1979 & 2005), 100 Feet (2008) and a little Pacific Heights (1990), and yet it still stands on its own. At the beginning of the story, heavily pregnant Maggie Conley (Rachel Marie Lewis: Glee TV series 2012, Beacon Point 2014) and her husband, Chris (Christian Oliver: Valkyrie 2008, The Three Musketeers 2011), are having a loud argument. It turns physical and Maggie is hurt, sadly losing the baby in the process.
- Still from House of Good and Evil
Rather than end their relationship, Maggie and Chris decide to move away from the city into rural America and start over again. They purchase a large home through real estate agent Rob Bradley (Rob Neukirch: One Night at McCool’s 2001, Live Free or Die 2013) on several acres of land and surrounded by picturesque woods. The previous owner was forced to turn the home into a duplex but the bank foreclosed when they could not make the payments, thus Chris and Maggie got a bargain. The Anderson’s are the current tenants of one side of the duplex and will move when their lease is up in thirty days. Once they move, Chris and Maggie will be able to renovate the house to its former glory. Chris is a firefighter and, almost as soon as they move into the home, he has to go away for a couple of days at a time, leaving Maggie alone. While they seem to have moved past the problems that brought them there, their relationship remains volatile and they quickly go from loving each other to wanting to ring each others neck in the blink of an eye.
As well as living in total physical isolation, aside from the Anderson’s, there is no phone or power available to the property; a hand-started generator is used along with cell phones, if and when they get reception. Initially, Maggie is excited by roughing it, but the more time she spends alone, the more she feels helpless. While Chris is at work, Maggie begins to unpack the house, undeterred from her mission until she hears a telephone ring next door and Mrs Anderson answers. Maggie begins to think there is more going on with the power and phone than anyone is telling her. But, when Chris comes home, the phone does not ring, making Maggie appear like she is mentally unravelling. It is the cause of several arguments between them, though they usually make up at some point.
- Still from House of Good and Evil
Regardless, Chris continues to go away, and each time he does, Maggie experiences strange and scary visions accompanied by sounds that torment and torture her. One such evening, the generator runs out of fuel and Maggie finds herself alone with the creepy Mr. Anderson (Jordan Rhodes: Matlock TV series 1993-1994, All the King’s Men 2006). Her encounter makes her concerned about being alone and the Anderson’s motives. Desperate for company, and after Mrs Anderson does not answer her persistent knocking, Maggie breaks into the home. Her efforts pay off and she finally meets the elusive Mrs. Anderson (Marietta Marich: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning 2006), whose similarities to her own life do more than startle Maggie. Tensions between her and Chris escalate, and it becomes clear their marriage has a lot of secrets just under the surface. Scene by scene, Maggie doggedly pursues proving her sanity and the darkness that lurks next door to Chris. Maggie’s fragility and tortured soul echoes through every scene as she tries to keep her marriage together.
- Still from House of Good and Evil
While some of the story may seem unoriginal, what Golyer and Mun have done with it, and added to it, makes for an intriguing, thought-provoking, intense viewing experience. The dark psychological torture that goes along with the physicality of domestic violence and toxic relationships is well handled from an innovative perspective. The cinematography by Jared Noe (Garden of Hedon 2011, Clowns 2013) capitalizes on the isolated country side with clear, concise camera work. House of Good and Evil contains excellent special effects with plenty of blood, gore, and twists that will give the viewer whiplash. The surprise ending is unique and invites repeating. The film was released on DVD in April of 2014 and recently was picked up by as been picked up by NBC Universal under the Syfy channel banner and is now available on Syfy in forty-three countries and US military bases. It is a must watch for all Horror fans. CrypticRock gives House of Good and Evil 5 out of 5 stars.
- Phase 4 Films
){kind=link}
No comment