An effective chiller

Rating: 7/10 (17 December 2018)

This chiller opens as Josh and Renai Lambert move into their new house with young sons Dalton and Foster, and Cali, their baby daughter. Shortly afterwards Dalton falls in the attic; he doesn't appear badly hurt but the next day he doesn't wake up. He appears to be in a coma but the doctors can't identify the reason. His condition doesn't change and three months later he returns home to be looked after there. Soon afterwards Renai starts hearing noises and then seeing things. Convinced the house is haunted they move to a new house; the occurrences don't stop; in fact they get worse leading to the Lamberts calling in to professionals.
When I watched this I expected it to be really scary as it had been recommended by a friend who is into horror films... I didn't find it quite as scary as I hoped but it had effective moments and a good creepy atmosphere. The setup is impressive as it nicely suggests that we are in for a haunted house film before changing tack and giving us the real reason. While this definitely isn't a comedy-horror there are a few good laughs that lighten the tone... just before it darkens again. The cast is solid; Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne impress as the Lamberts and Lin Shaye is equally impressive as expert as Elise Rainier. Overall I'd say if you want gore this will disappoint but if you prefer creepy/menacing horror like 'Poltergeist' or the more recent 'The Babadook' then I'd definitely recommend this.