Unleashing Fear: Netflix's Hair-Raising Horror Redefining the Haunted House Genre

Article Summary

His House is a Netflix horror film that goes beyond supernatural scares, exploring themes of grief, guilt, and the struggle to belong.

The couple's memories and survivor's guilt are symbolized by the ghosts that constantly haunt them in His House. The horror in the film is deeply ingrained in reality, as the couple confronts discrimination and trauma within and outside the confines of their haunted home.

Haunted houses are a common theme in horror movies, with films like The Shining, Poltergeist, and The Conjuring exploring the terrifying concept of houses, apartments, and hotels possessed by supernatural beings. These stories evoke fear for various reasons, such as the loss of safety within one's own home or the symbolic representation of repressed memories and the unknown. Typically, these movies rely on good acting and scary scenes to create a chilling experience. However, Remi Weekes' His House stands out among other haunted house movies by incorporating all these elements masterfully, and goes even further.

Originally released in 2020, His House is a Netflix original that not only provides great scares, but also delves into themes of grief, guilt, and the quest for belonging. The performances by Sope Dirisu and Wunmi Mosaku are brilliant, bringing the characters to life in a captivating manner. The story, written by Weekes in collaboration with Felicity Evans and Toby Venables, is well-crafted and engrossing. What sets His House apart as a haunted house movie is its ability to create genuinely terrifying moments, including tense sequences and heart-pounding jump scares. But the true horror of the film lies beyond the supernatural. It is a ghost story where the ghosts haunt the characters indefinitely, regardless of their actions.

Image Via Netflix

Title: His House

Release Date: January 27, 2020

Director: Remi Weekes

Cast: Sope Dirisu, Wunmi Mosaku, Malaika Wakoli-Abigaba, Matt Smith, Javier Botet, Yvonne Campbell

Runtime: 93 minutes

Main Genre: Horror

Genres: Horror

Tagline: When ghosts follow, they never leave.

What Is 'His House' About?

Image via Netflix

The plot of His House revolves around a couple of immigrants who are striving to establish a fresh life in an unwelcoming nation. After being forced to flee Sudan due to civil war, Bol (Dirisu) and Rial Majur (Mosaku) make a treacherous journey across the ocean with numerous others on a dinghy, hoping for a chance at survival in the United Kingdom. Upon arrival, they are placed in a temporary shelter until the government assigns them a rundown house, which is plagued by eerie sounds and haunting images. Leaving the house could lead to their deportation, compelling Bol and Rial to coexist with these ghosts from their past. They must remain compliant, so as not to become troublemakers, as Matt Smith's character, a disdainful social worker, insists.

His House delves into the themes of survivor's guilt and the struggle to reconcile one's heritage with assimilation into a new society. It is both an intimate drama and a horror tale. Throughout the film, we are predominantly immersed in the experiences of Bol and Rial, witnessing their distinct approaches to navigating a country that does not necessarily embrace their presence. Rial endures hostility from strangers, ranging from subtle acts of aggression to blatant acts of discrimination. She longs to return to Sudan, whether to confront the pain or to be reunited with her lost loved ones. Bol, on the other hand, discovers a somewhat more accepting community and endeavors to assimilate, even forsaking his deeply ingrained customs and beliefs. Initially, he denies the existence of the haunting presence in their home, choosing instead to rationalize his circumstances and avoid confronting his past.

Eventually, however, Bol and Rial come to the realization that escaping from the apeth, or denying its existence, is futile. They must come to terms with this being that holds the memories of all they have lost. Rial needs to acknowledge that she has survived and cannot return to her previous world. Bol, on the other hand, must understand that his memories will always be with him. They cannot be suppressed, just as one cannot pretend to be someone they're not. As Rial expresses it, "Your ghosts accompany you. They never depart. They remain by your side. It is only when I allow them in that I can begin to confront myself."

'His House' Is Not Like Other Haunted House Movies

Image Via Netflix

The ghosts represent the memories of those we have lost and the burden of guilt for surviving. These haunting sentiments follow us wherever we go, ensuring a chilling experience no matter our choice or circumstances of residence. What sets His House apart as a truly terrifying film is its exploration of the notion that it is not the physical house that Bol and Rial inhabit that is haunted, but rather Bol and Rial themselves. Unlike other movies, such as Insidious, where personal hauntings can be resolved through supernatural means, Bol and Rial have no choice but to accept the enduring presence of their ghosts. They can never escape them, as they can never escape from their own selves.

Thus, relocating would not improve their situation. They are bound to their haunted house indefinitely. However, they are also restricted from moving elsewhere by UK government regulations. Bol and Rial face significant consequences. Leaving their new home could result in being sent back to a war-torn country with slim chances of a decent life or even survival. Their reluctance to move is not simply due to disbelief in ghosts, nor is it solely for the sake of a potential monetary reward. The outside world beyond their new house is more fear-inducing than any supernatural entity.

'His House's Horror Is Rooted in Realism

Image via Netflix

In addition to the potential war they might be compelled to return to, Rial and Bol also face hostility in their London neighborhood. They are constantly confronted by unnerving situations, such as teenagers berating Rial to go back to Africa and an elderly woman ominously stating that Bol's attempts are futile as he will inevitably be sent back. Whether they are indoors or outdoors, in their house or in their home country, their lives have become increasingly terrifying with the absence of any safe spaces. Even in this unfamiliar land, they encounter flesh-and-blood monsters wherever they turn.

His House stands out as a frightening film that brings horror into our everyday urban lives, although not as significantly as other aspects. Unlike many horror movies that rely on rural isolation or eerie old mansions, His House takes place in a specific, identifiable house that carries the marks of a particular era and country. Despite this specificity, the horror feels real and relatable, creating an atmosphere in which the audience can imagine the terror happening to any of us. This allows us to empathize more with the main characters and fully grasp the extent of the terror they endure. Stream His House on Netflix.

Editor's P/S

His House is a movie that explores the themes of grief, guilt, and the struggle to belong. It is a well-crafted and engrossing story with great scares, tense sequences, and heart-pounding jump scares. The true horror of the film lies beyond the supernatural, in the ghosts that haunt the characters indefinitely, regardless of their actions. The performances by Sope Dirisu and Wunmi Mosaku are brilliant, bringing the characters to life in a captivating manner.

As a Gen Z netizen, I appreciate the movie's ability to tackle important social issues while still delivering a terrifying and unsettling experience. The film's exploration of the immigrant experience and the challenges faced by refugees is particularly relevant in today's political climate. His House is a must-watch for fans of horror and thought-provoking cinema.