Review #10: Housebound (2014)


This review was originally written in October 2016.

Day 10: Housebound

I really enjoyed this movie! I was not at all sure what to expect and it surprised me. I thought it dealt with atmosphere and suspense well, and the jump scares were done very well too (quite unlike We Are Still Here, which on at least one level is the same type of movie). I'd say the weakest point in the movie was the action-y part near the end, but the conclusion worked well enough that it didn't ruin the movie or anything. The only real problems I had watching the movie were unrelated (a certain sword-wielding puppy just wouldn't stop barking) and overall it was very good.

One criticism that comes to mind though: A big part of how the main character solves this mystery involves technology that doesn't quite make sense given the movie's time frame. For example, it gets kick-started when she hears a cell phone ringing (ringing for like four minutes straight- sorry, no way at all that it wouldn't stop ringing long, long, long before then) despite the fact that something like ten or more years has passed since the last time that phone would have been charged. It was okay when I assumed the movie had to do with g-g-g-ghosts and whatnot, but when it (spoiler) turns out not to be, it doesn't really make sense. I guess they sort of explain that by saying the guy responsible was "a whiz with electronics" or whatever, but just being good with electronics doesn't make electronics that you haven't touched suddenly work better.

Rating: 8/10 Jugs that aren't full of water

Alternate Ending: Kylie creates papier-mâché mannequins of her mother and step-father and uses them to escape house arrest

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