Rent House of Good and Evil (2013)

Effective horror marred by sound issues ... - House of Good and Evil review by NP

You know how in horror films there comes a point where everyone's phone stops working, or the electricity goes down, or someone discovers a mysterious locked door? Well, all that business is covered and out of the way in the first ten minutes of 'House of Good and Evil', so you know when unthinkable things happen, the young couple are entirely on their own. Half of the isolated new home Chris (Christian Oliver) and Maggie (Rachel Marie Lewis) move into is rented by a quiet elderly couple.

David Mun directs this atmospherically, but there are some sound issues. Chris and Maggie's whispered sweet nothings are barely audible much of the time, which is irritating but a common problem with low budget projects such as this. (At one point, elderly Mrs Anderson is talking with Maggie and complains her hearing aid needs new batteries - even she wants her to speak up!)

The couple have recently suffered a bereavement which has left Maggie emotionally unstable, so practically speaking, is it kind to buy such a remote house with no amenities, when Chris is required to leave his wife alone while he goes to work?

'House of Good and Evil' is mostly very enjoyable although too long. My biggest complaint remains the sound issues, which causes the viewer giving up trying to follow what is being said, even at moments of great tension. Cracking twist at the end though. My score is 6 out of 10.