I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House is a 2016 atmospheric horror movie directed by Oz Perkins. The film is a slow-burn chiller that subverts traditional horror movie tropes to create a lingering sense of dread. It features performances by Ruth Wilson, Paula Prentiss, and Bob Balaban, who all contribute to the suspenseful, disquieting atmosphere with their stirring and emotive performances.

Ruth Wilson plays Lily Saylor, the film's protagonist, a soft-spoken, nervous young woman who works as a hospice nurse. The very profession of Lily incorporates a thematic element of mortality which forms the core of the movie's plot. Lily is called to serve the elderly and famous horror novelist, Iris Blum (portrayed by Paula Prentiss), who is living her last days in a secluded old house in Braintree, Massachusetts. Iris Blum is consumed by dementia and generally refers to Lily as Polly, an instinct that becomes crucial later on. Bob Balaban appears in a supporting role as the lawyer who oversees Iris's affairs.

The film isn’t your typical horror flick filled with jump scares and gory sequences; rather, it uses unrelenting suspense, discomfortingly long takes, and a hauntingly unique narrative technique to evoke fear. At the heart of the plot, along with the human characters, is the house itself. It's not just the frame or background; it becomes a character of its own, holding centuries' worth of layers, shadows, echoing voices, a lingering past – a silent witness to the life and death of its inhabitants.

The director, Oz Perkins, son of Psycho actor, Anthony Perkins, displays a skillful narrative technique which tells a tale from the perspective of an unreliable narrator. Eli Born's cinematography, combined with the director's approach to storytelling, transports the viewers into a realm of fear, creeping horror, and uncanny dread. From start to finish, the slow, deliberate pacing, eerie atmospheric score by Elvis Perkins, and explicit sound design immerse the viewer in a constant state of unease and anticipation.

As Lily slowly unravels the mystery within the house's walls and ventures deeper into the mind of the reclusive and fearful Iris, she discovers the world beyond reality, blurring the line between life and death. This escalates as she repeatedly encounters a spiritual entity that looms around the house, an entity that seems to be an echo from one of Iris Blum's novels. As a consequence, the exploration of themes like the art of storytelling, subjective memory, and mortality blend seamlessly into the frightful ambiance of the narrative.

As for the performances, Ruth Wilson, best known for her roles in Jane Eyre and Luther, is outstanding as the timid and anxiety-ridden Lily. Wilson's restrained performance does justice to the minimalist character sketch and the slowly building sense of fear. Her wide-eyed terror and growing paranoia keep the viewers on edge as the story unfolds. Paula Prentiss, playing the forgetful Iris, presents a haunting portrayal of age and dementia. Her interaction with Lily adds more layers to the film's intrigue. Bob Balaban, as the clear-headed attorney, provides the necessary counterpoint to the disoriented reality inside the eerie old house.

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House is a film that focuses on creating an unnerving atmosphere rather than relying on cheap scares. Its meticulous cinematography, slow-paced narrative, detailed sound design, and excellent performances all combine to provide a unique psychological thrill. Although it's not a horror film in the traditional sense, it's a haunting exploration of death, decay, and the terrifying uncertainty of what lies ‘beyond’. This film is a must-watch for those who appreciate a genuinely unnerving, atmospheric, creepy narrative that goes beyond the triviality of loud noises and sudden shocks.