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Housebound Reviews

Mar 25, 2025

Brilliantly funny the way that only Kiwis can be.

Feb 16, 2025

Such an underrated masterpiece! Housebound is easily in my top 3 favorite movies of all time simply for it's originality, humor, and unpredictability. I wish I could go back in time and watch it for the first time again. Going from thinking it was a ghost story, to a home invader story, to a this crazy girl is seeing things story, then back again was an absolutely delicious unicorn that almost never happens with todays predicable garbage. Pure cinematic gold.

Jan 13, 2025

If you are in the mood for a suspense filled who done it with a splash of dark English humor then you came to the right place. That's about all I will say other than this. Enjoy.

Jan 12, 2025

A very underrated movie. Once I saw it was a comedy I thought it was going to be like the scary movies but no it really casually seeked comedy into it, it also has a very unique plot.

Jan 5, 2025

Very unique horror-comedy. Did not expect it to be so well-crafted. Can’t believe I’ve never heard of nor watched it until a couple of nights ago. Morgana O’Reilly did an amazing job acting in this. It had some good jump scares and the comedic elements are extremely subtle. I do recommend watching this film.

Nov 25, 2024

Housebound is a quirky made-for-온라인카지노추천 movie that is memorable and loads better than most recent mainstream comedy-horror releases. This little hidden gem of a film from 2014 is the debut work of director Gerard Johnstone who is best known for directing 2022's cyber thriller film, M3GAN. This film is about a young woman, Kylie, who ends up in house arrest in her childhood home after attempting to rob a cash machine. Her punishment is doubly frustrating because she's forced to live with her overly chatty, superstitious mother, Miriam, who believes their house is haunted. From the get-go, Housebound takes a delightfully unconventional approach to blending horror and comedy. What starts as a slow-burn mystery about creaking floorboards and ghostly rumors quickly spirals into a wild, genre-blending ride. Kylie, played by Morgana O’Reilly, is a breath of fresh air as a protagonist. Her sarcasm and skepticism balance perfectly against her mother’s endearing eccentricities. Rima Te Wiata as Miriam delivers a standout performance, combining comedy and genuine warmth that makes her instantly likable. The dynamic between the two characters is one of the film’s strongest points, grounding the outlandish events in genuine emotion. Director Gerard Johnstone showcases his knack for timing and tone, deftly weaving humor into moments of tension without undermining the scares. The film’s pacing is sharp, keeping the audience intrigued as Kylie’s reluctant investigation into the house’s supposed haunting uncovers far more than anyone bargained for. The script is packed with witty dialogue and unpredictable twists that keep the viewer engaged throughout. A particular strength of Housebound is its atmospheric use of the house itself. The creaky old home feels alive, with secrets lurking in every corner. The production design enhances the eerie yet oddly cozy vibe, making the setting as much a character as the people inhabiting it. While Housebound delivers laughs, it doesn’t skimp on its horror elements. There are genuine jump scares, tense moments, and a few unsettling surprises, but all are delivered with a playful, self-aware edge that keeps the film lighthearted yet effective. In a genre often bogged down by clichés, Housebound stands out as a refreshingly original entry. It’s a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously yet still manages to craft a compelling story filled with charm, chills, and chuckles. For fans of quirky horror-comedies like What We Do in the Shadows or Shaun of the Dead, this film is an absolute must-watch.

Oct 13, 2024

Good movie, because it was not made in Hollywood.

Sep 30, 2024

Perfect example of how great storytelling, good pacing, talented actors, and well-delivered comedy can make the most basic and universal premise in horror (haunted house) a thrilling and refreshing watch

Sep 3, 2024

This movie is the epitome of why i couldn't sleep alone in the dark or walk home alone at night as a kid

Jan 27, 2024

Didn't think it was going to be as good as it turned out to be. I enjoyed it very much.

Oct 10, 2023

This movie is awesome. It kicks off with a great attention-grabber, and then Rima Te Wiata's expert comic relief keeps you entertained while the other characters are introduced and developed. And what great characters they are! Ross Harper gives a fine performance, but Morgana O'Reilly and Glen-Paul Waru are the real show-stoppers here. Man, they're hilarious. And then I absolutely loved how the ghost angle plays out. The whole plot, silly as it is, ends up being really gripping. This film somehow serves up genuine suspense, while somehow being hilarious at the same time; and by the end I was thoroughly satisfied.

Jun 12, 2023

Watchable, decent Kiwi horror comedy.

Apr 1, 2023

Amateurish and cliché. I'm the favorable reviews could be related to its country of origin. I'm all for encouraging lower budget films but this brings nothing new to the table.

Feb 2, 2023

Rare occasion when comedy and horror mix nicely. There are some genuinely hilarious moments in this one, while still having some good scares. The mom is outstanding. Fun movie, recommendable.

Dec 31, 2022

this is solid stuff. i love to see kiwi films with hollywood budgets, and this is certainly one of them. i think there are a few slow parts, but in general it's a very well done story. i take one star off because i think the violence/gore would have been better with a little more of a comedic angle, although there is some firm subtext of humor. it just seems that the most violent moments would have been more emphatic if we were laughing during them instead of alternating between humor and tension. anyways, i'd love to see more from the cast and director. everybody did great.

Dec 25, 2022

Such a good film. Well made. New movies have lost their touch. I wish they make more movies exactly like this one. Great great great

Jun 19, 2022

Creepy and sometimes funny, but then the wheels start to fall off. It starts off good then gets redundant it starts to feel so long. I got bored by the half way mark. It just repeats the same scares for a while, then it starts to get really dumb and not funny. It could be condensed into a shorter and better pacing film. The 3rd act is terrible, annoyingly nobody believes the main character even though shes telling the truth. It gets frustrating dealing with dumb characters, there is evidence but they refuse to look at it, this makes it start to drag. Zzzzzzzzzzz. It gets even dumber, the main character is fighting the villain and her mom is literally there just sitting watching, she could easily help instead she just sits there scared. Even more dumb her PO comes and tells someone else to call the cops instead of calling the cops himself, of course this backfires. The movie just starts to get really dumb

May 29, 2022

Fantastic! Keeps up the scares AND the laughs right up to the finish. Morgana O'Reilly as Kylie is an unrelenting badass. Some redemptive opportunities for the meek as well.

Dec 29, 2021

This is a brilliant horror-comedy from New Zealand, and the acting is great. NZ makes incredible movies, and Housebound is no different.

Dec 24, 2021

I tried to leave a review that simply said…no, but apparently you have to use more words when leaving a review….so I did.

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