Review: Netflix's 'His House' Explores All The Ways We Can Be Haunted

Director Remi Weekes’ psychological horror, His House hit Netflix today. The story was written by Felicity Evans and Toby Venables, and stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (Gangs of London), Wunmi Mosaku (Lovecraft Country) and Matt Smith (Doctor Who).

In this hybrid horror, we follow a young South Sudan couple after they make a harrowing escape from their war-torn country. While struggling to adjust to their new life in a small English town, things spin out of control when they discover something evil is lurking within their new home.

This film is not your average horror, this hybrid story mixes many true life horrors in with the supernatural. The couple are placed into a run down house that will be theirs until their immigration case is heard. While getting settled in their new home and country, they begin to hear, see and feel a malevolent presence. As they try harder to fit into their new world, the more the spirit comes after them.

There are few haunted house stories like His House, since the couple are forced to stay within their haunted home. They can request new housing but are told that it will affect their immigration case. The couple tries and tries to cope with the spirit at first by ignoring. But you can’t avoid your ghosts forever. Bol Majur (Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù) is convinced he needs to confront this ghost head on and take back his home. As he struggles to find the presence haunting them in the walls, things become upended when his case worker shows up to do a well check.

One of the best aspects of this film is the portrayal of trauma and grief. Anyone that has dealt with trauma will see it played out within this film. While trying to act like everything is fine, Bol sits down to eat one evening, and is literally pulled into a terror filled flashback. His House not only gives viewers a haunting story, but also has an added isolation feel. As these refugees have no one, and no where else to go.

Moreover His House shows how we can be haunted by the trauma of our past, and also by the choices we are forced to make. This film will scare you, make you jump, all while pulling at your heart strings. While not a straight forward horror film, this movie still brings the all the horror elements. With a haunted house, creepy ghost children and terrible tragedy all wrapped up into one story. This film will keep you thinking even after it’s over. 4.5/5