Housebound

2014
Dir. Gerard Johnstone

When delinquent Kylie is placed under house arrest after a botched robbery, she is forced to return to her childhood home and the guardianship of her overbearing mother and timid stepfather. A series of strange occurrences lead her to suspect the house is haunted and as she delves into the building’s history, she not only uncovers a darkly tragic past, but shady family secrets.

Beginning as an oddball haunted house yarn, the plot of this New Zealand comedy-horror soon veers off into some very unexpected places; with each twist and turn the well measured pace and careful editing gradually build tension and intrigue, ensuring the viewer is riveted throughout.

A rare gem in genre cinema, Housebound is a comedy-horror that provides well timed laughs alongside genuine shocks, chills and suspense, sometimes in the same scene.

Head over to Exquisite Terror to read my full review. 

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