A HOUSE ON THE BAYOU

US, 2021, 88 minutes, Colour.

Angela Sarafayan, Paul Schneider, Lia McHugh, Jacob Lofland, Doug Van Lieuw, Lauren Richards, Rhonda Johnson Dents.

Directed by Alex McCaulay.

Those who like their thrillers, with a touch of horror and the supernatural, to be a differential bit different, this is a film they might like.

It is based on an interesting concept – and there is quite a twist in the middle of the film which generates more interest in how the plot will develop.

Basically, this is a story of marital infidelity, the wife hurt and denouncing her unfaithful husband who promises to break the affair, his daughter who is devoted to him. The wife suggests a holiday together because she will not give him a divorce and they go to this house in thebayou. It is quite a mansion but they spent only a few hours in it because the plot develops.

The vindictive wife insists that the husband go to shop locally, 20 miles away, an issue about veal cutlets which he does not like but she wants to cook! At the store, the daughter encounters an attentive young man, Isaac, Jacob Lofland, and his grizzled grandfather Doug Van U, who writes a warning message on the docket that the devil is watching.

What happens is that Isaak invites the family out to dinner, at first reluctant, then agreeing, then finding Isaac and the grandfather arriving with the food and preparing it. Things become a bit creepy, the mother wary about Isaac eyeing the daughter. But, the two men decide to stay with quite unexpected turns in what happens.

Which means then no more plot indications in this review, rather than a recommendation that if this sounds interesting, to follow it through, because it is. And, there are some supernatural implications and moralising.

1. Family drama, diabolical background, touch of the supernatural?
2. The family home, the accusations of an infidelity, the trip to the bar you, the house, the grounds, the interiors? The store in town? Atmosphere? Musical score?
3. Jessica’s story, the marriage, love for John, information about his infidelity, the accusation, his denials? Apologies? Ana, her age, her mother devoted to her, her devotion to her father?
4. The decision to have the holiday, Jessica’s decision, estate agent, finding the house, the drive, and as complaints, the house itself, settling in? Jessica and her being vindictive, sending John to do the shopping, the argument about veal cutlets?
5. The visit to the store, the old man, the message about the devil watching? I sack at the store, talking with Anna?
6. Isaak, his arrival, the invitation to dinner, Jessica hesitant, excepting? Their getting ready, the discussions?
7. I sack and the old man, their arrival, with the food, making the meal? The conversation? Jessica uncomfortable, wanting them to leave? I sack and his knowledge of the house, staying?
8. The sense of menace, Jessica and her fears, and a? The locker room, mystery, the key? John and his protection for his wife and daughter against the intruders? The old man and his utterances? And the mystery, his knowledge, age, back story and appearance?
9. Opening the door, I sack trapping John, the mystery of the room, the lights, the revelation that John had set up Isaak and the old man to kill Jessica, vindictive?
10. The issue of the record, the old man playing it, John and his relationship with Vivian?
11. Isaak, John, diabolical, the physical attack, Jessica getting to the room, John’s death?
12. The arrival of Vivian, apologies, wanting to break off, in the car, trapped, ice axe menace, the fire and her death?
13. Jessica, the confrontation with the old man, with Isaac, saving Anna?
14. Going to the police, the visit to the house, the disappearance of the house, the deputy and her explanation of the house and the role of Isaac, conscience, punishment on sinners?