Reviews: His House (2020) Movie Review
Genres: Horror, Thriller, Drama
Subgenres: Black Horror, Haunted House, Supernatural, Back from the Dead, Black Horror - Thriller, Cursed, Haunted, Madness
Our honest review of His House (2020) breaks down its scares, pacing, and whether this horror movie truly stands the test of time.
His House (2020) is a psychological horror film that delivers a chilling mix of supernatural terror and real-world trauma. Directed by Remi Weekes, the film follows Bol (Sope Dirisu) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku), a refugee couple who have escaped war-torn South Sudan and are granted asylum in England. They are placed in a run-down, government-assigned home, but their fresh start is quickly overshadowed by an eerie presence lurking within the house.
His House (2020) – A Haunting Tale of Trauma, Guilt, and Survival
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the horror they face is not just supernatural but deeply psychological. The film explores themes of survivor’s guilt, displacement, cultural identity, and the weight of past trauma. The spirits haunting them seem to be manifestations of their own repressed pain and secrets, forcing them to confront the harrowing choices they made during their escape.
What makes His House stand out is its emotional depth—this is not just about ghosts terrorizing a family, but a harrowing examination of what it means to survive and at what cost.
Acting and Cinematography
The performances in His House are phenomenal, particularly from Sope Dirisu and Wunmi Mosaku, who deliver raw, emotionally charged portrayals of grief and fear. Dirisu’s portrayal of Bol’s desperate attempt to assimilate and forget the past is heartbreaking, while Mosaku’s Rial provides a contrasting perspective—one that embraces their history, no matter how painful.
The cinematography is richly atmospheric, using shadowy lighting, claustrophobic framing, and eerie set designs to create a sense of constant unease. The house itself feels like a decaying, inescapable prison, reinforcing the couple’s sense of entrapment. Remi Weekes masterfully blends horror visuals with a deep sense of sorrow, making even the most terrifying scenes feel poignant and meaningful.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Weekes crafts a film that is both terrifying and deeply moving, using horror as a vehicle to explore the refugee experience. Instead of relying on cheap jump scares, His House uses psychological dread, unsettling imagery, and a slow unraveling mystery to grip its audience.
Strengths:
- Innovative Take on Haunted House Horror – His House isn’t just another ghost story—it blends supernatural horror with real-world trauma in a powerful way.
- Powerful Performances – Dirisu and Mosaku deliver deeply affecting performances, making the characters’ struggles feel painfully real.
- Terrifying Atmosphere & Cinematography – The use of shadows, distorted visuals, and unsettling silence create an oppressive, nightmarish atmosphere.
- Strong Social Commentary – The film provides an insightful look into the refugee experience, making the horror elements even more impactful.
Weaknesses:
- Some Narrative Ambiguity – The film leaves certain supernatural elements unexplained, which may frustrate viewers looking for concrete answers.
- Deliberate Pacing – The slow-burn approach may not satisfy those expecting a more traditional horror structure with frequent scares.
- Minimal Secondary Character Development – While Bol and Rial’s arcs are well-developed, the supporting characters lack depth.
Final Verdict & Score: 8/10
His House is a masterfully crafted horror-drama that delivers both scares and emotional weight. Its blend of supernatural horror, social commentary, and psychological trauma makes it one of the most thought-provoking horror films in recent years.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- His House Rating Scores
- Our Score: 8/10
- Overall Score: 7.22/10
- IMDB: 6.4/10
- MetaCritic: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 10.0/10
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