His House

His House is a haunting horror-drama film released in 2020. This captivating movie was directed by Remi Weekes and Starred Sope Dirisu, Wunmi Mosaku, and Malaika Wakoli-Abigaba. The film is a blend of social commentary and supernatural terror that pulls at themes of guilt, assimilation, loss, and cultural identity. At its heart, it highlights the plight of refugees, packed with suspense from beginning to end, and critically acclaimed for its unique story, excellent cinematography, and skilled performances.

Sope Dirisu, whose gripping performance adds depth to the narrative, stars as Bol, a man who, alongside his wife, Rial, portrayed by Wunmi Mosaku, flees from war-torn South Sudan in desperate search of safety and a fresh start in the United Kingdom. The couple's shared experiences of trauma and heartbreaking loss stretch their resilience to its limits, even as they embark on this journey, hoping for a new chapter in their lives. Upon their arrival, they are briefly detained before being granted a form of probationary asylum.

They are offered an old, run-down house on a largely deserted estate, which serves as their first taste of their new lives. The house itself is much larger than expected for two people—it’s almost labyrinthine in nature, further exploring the theme of feeling dwarfed and displaced within a new, alien environment. Quickly, they face the struggles of blending into a society that views them with suspicion and hostility.

As if the pressures of adapting to a foreign culture weren't onerous enough, a sinister presence seems to make itself known in their decrepit new home. Bol and Rial begin to experience eerie happenings that blend the conventional creepy-house tropes seen in horror flicks with a more profound psychological terror, adding an extra layer of fear and unease. The couple seem to be haunted by something from their past, manifesting as a supernatural force within their dwelling.

This nightmarish predicament they find themselves in tests their unity to its extreme. Bol's determination to forget their past tragedies and adapt to English life contrasts starkly against Rial’s clinging to their cultural roots and symbology. Perhaps the supernatural disturbance in their house isn’t the only division between Bol and Rial. This strife they experience not only speaks to their personal relationship but also serves to depict bigger issues regarding cultural erasure and assimilative pressures faced by refugees.

His House stands out in the horror genre for its willingness to blend psychological and supernatural horror with a chilling social narrative. In the movie, the house serves as a metaphorical transition point between the couple's tumultuous past and potential future. The unique blend of traditional horror elements with the daily dread of navigating an alien environment forces the audience to confront the disorienting reality many refugees worldwide face.

Weekes manages to craft a nuanced narrative of the refugee experience that evokes empathy while creating a sense of heart-pounding terror in the audience with telling a horror story within a societal context. The two protagonists, Sope Dirisu and Wunmi Mosaku, deliver standout performances, padding out their roles with heartbreaking subtlety.

The technical elements of the movie are also crucial to its success. The gloomy cinematography and wandering shots give the audience an insight into the characters’ isolation and unease. Similarly, the sound design is impressive, using silence and then sudden bursts of noise to keep audiences on the edge of their seat.

His House pushes the boundaries of the horror genre and offers a fresh and chilling perspective on the experiences and struggles refugees endure while seeking asylum. It was met with rave reviews for its portrayal of social issues coupled with the nuances of a horror film. It's a must-watch not only for horror genre buffs but for anyone interested in a film examining real-world issues while maintaining an eerie, unsettling atmosphere throughout its runtime.