Dwelling

Dwelling is an enthralling American supernatural horror flick directed by the talented Kyle Mecca and it stars Erin Marie Hogan, Mu-Shaka Benson, and Devanny Pinn. Released in 2016, Dwelling blends the fear of the unknown with a unique narrative technique to create an atmosphere of unsettling suspense that sets a new benchmark for the horror genre.

The story primarily revolves around a young woman, Ellie (Erin Marie Hogan), and her younger sister, River (Abigail Mary). Ellie, fascinated with the supernatural and often followed an unconventional path throughout her life, while River, who had been plagued by unusual and distressing experiences since her childhood, took a more traditional path, taking full thrust into adulthood with her doting husband, Gavin (Mu-Shaka Benson).

In their quest to uncover the truths that lay hidden in their eerie pasts, Ellie convinces River and Gavin to purchase a house with a dark history. The house, foreboding and full of mystery, presents an apt opportunity for them to come face-to-face with the supernatural phenomena that River struggled with throughout her life. Despite the earlier delusion of being in control of the situation starting to wane, Ellie remains determined to use this unnerving house to evoke the spirits that haunted their past and to confront them head-on.

On the other hand, Gavin, a man of science, remains a sceptic. Gavin's character acts as a foil to the two sisters, offering a grounded, rational perspective against their escalating paranormal encounters. He seeks a logical explanation for the series of unusual happenings that start to plague their lives once they've moved into the house, creating a balance between the metaphysical and the mundane.

Devanny Pinn plays the part of Izzy, Ellie's best friend, who firmly believes in her exploits and supports her in her journey towards the unknown. Her role threads through the narrative and offers another perspective on the hauntings that form the crux of the movie.

One of the striking aspects of Dwelling is its ability to take a rather conventional idea, a haunted house, and convert it into a thrilling narrative that digs into the themes of family, secrets, fears, redemption, and defiance against the evil. What sets it apart from most horror films is not just the unconventional storyline but the power play between fear and fascination, logic, and paranormal.

Kyle Mecca's directing skills are praiseworthy as he manages to create a movie with realistic characters that the audiences can relate to, and yet keep them on the edge of their seats with terrifying elements of horror. The supernatural elements are portrayed cleverly, avoiding gratuitous gory scenes that are often the case with the genre, focusing instead on creating an environment of all-pervasive dread and paranoia. The film is neatly tucked into its genre, while also properly exploring the humanity of its characters, their struggles and motivations, bringing them to vivid life.

The performances of Erin Marie Hogan and Mu-Shaka Benson are notable. Hogan skillfully portrays Ellie as a complex character, balancing her seemingly contradictory traits of fascination towards supernatural beings and a steely resolve to overcome them. Equally compelling is Benson's performance, presenting his sceptism and concern convincingly, without being dismissive of Ellie's beliefs. Their on-screen chemistry adds a realism that enhances the movie's horror elements.

In conclusion, Dwelling is more than just a horror film. As the narrative progresses, it reveals layers, twists, and turns that challenge the viewer's perceptions and plunge them into a horrifying journey of suspense, mystery, and terror. It is a praisely film that contours around a traditional horror theme, binding into it elements of human emotions and interpersonal relationships, creating a chilling narrative that stays with the viewer long after it ended. An absolute treat for horror lovers, Dwelling offers a unique, thought-provoking, and edgy adventure into the realm of the supernatural that one should not miss.