Huset

My spoiler free review for The Bloody Asylum that can be found at WordPress, Mr Geeky blog:

Huset (released as The Winter Siege in the UK) is a really solid Norwegian horror film set in Norway during World War 2. Written, directed, and produced by Reinhert Kiil, who has directed a number of feature films and short films including Juleblod (Christmas Blood). The trailer gives the impression that it is a film within the possession genre, however, even though it has some of those elements it also encompasses other horror genres. In some respects it also has certain aspects that bring to mind in a positive way The Twilight Zone. For the most part it is a successful variation of genre conventions, but its main strength is that it is at the core a film that deals intelligently and thoughtfully with the effects of war on the individual.

The film opens with a stunning yet bleak snow scape vista, leading into a beautiful aerial shot that sets the tone of the film perfectly. The story that follows focuses on two German soldiers and their Norwegian prisoner who come across the titular house. A large part of the film is contained within this house and is pretty much a three hander involving these characters. The acting is superb from all three leads, Frederik von Luttichau, Mats Reinhardt, and Sondre Krogtoft Larsen perfectly depicting each of their respective characters, making them engaging and giving them enough depth so as the audience has an emotional investment in them.

The superb cinematography by John-Erling H. Fredrikson and the production design by the director Reinhert Kiil compliment each other perfectly, flawlessly evoking the era the film is set. The framing of shots brilliantly utilises the widescreen, with great use of camera movement, and the editing by Iris Jenssen Nylaendet and Silje Rekk heightening the atmosphere. The drained coloured look of the film works beautifully, almost feeling like a colourised black and white film, further adding realism to the World War Two setting. The music by Kim Berg and Levi Gawrock Troite (credited as Levi Gawron) together with the sound design in the quieter moments of the film enhances the atmosphere, however at times misplaced overuse of loud sounds and music are relied on to create unneeded jump scares that while not ruining the film do at times detract from the other more effective aspects.

Huset is pretty much successful with what the film-makers seem to have set out to achieve, feeling at times a unique horror because of the setting and time period. There is more depth to it than expected, with some thought provoking elements. Feeling fresh and bringing something different to the horror genre. Even though it is not perfect the positives far outweigh the few negatives.

As I write this review I have watched Huset twice now and would happily watch it again because of its unique engaging feel that I have not come across before.

Horror fans who are after a creepy and atmospheric horror film with some heart and depth will find Huset well worth checking out.

During the middle of WWII, a squad of Nazi soldiers attempting to get out of the freezing forest around them seeks solace in a seemingly abandoned house, but the longer they stay at the house the more the squad comes to believe the house is haunted and must try to get away from the house alive.

Overall, this one has plenty to like about it. One of it's most pressing attributes is the absolutely stellar design and layout of the house which makes the creepy goings-on all the better. The creepy house in the middle of nowhere, still completely furnished with the amenities of the time-period in full working order despite it's abandoned appearance is a perfectly enjoyable setup here that is paid off in grand fashion. This comes from the series of supernatural antics throughout here, from the usual suspects of seeing ghostly figures walk around in the background to the doors slamming shut or suddenly being thrust into the darkness which manages to still give this one a wholly enjoyable atmosphere throughout here. As well, the fact that this one tends to bring about the religious undertones also manages to provide this with plenty of strong atmosphere and thrills. The fact that there's plenty of strong religious paraphernalia strewn around the house, with the prominent crosses and rosary beads alongside all the mass candles and Bibles manages to give this far more of a dark and chilling setting. With plenty of the action here based around the concept of religious dread and guilt, especially due to the concept here of them being Nazis and are tormented by the creatures from the past concentration camps, features rather nicely in this one. It all comes together in the finale where this one really brings out its best work. There's some rather intriguing work to be done here with the backstory about what actually happened previously in the house, as the flashbacks to the exorcism attempt on the young girl that gets spelled out in several encounters to get the full story,fully provides this with a justifiable backstory that accounts for so much of the events that follow. Introducing people coming back to life that should be dead, others stuck in unexplained time-loops or even altered histories for the different characters, this creates some rather chilling scenes and concepts here that really give this a lot to like which hold this one up overall. That said, there are a few problems with this one. The biggest issue here is the absolutely grinding slow-paced tempo throughout here, which is quite surprising considering its overall length isn't that long. That should mean the film zips by rather quickly, but rather this one tends to go for a more sedate rhythm that focuses on each of the different soldiers reacting to the situation around them and getting more unnerved the longer they're there. This goes hand-in-hand with the sedate and low-key yet still chilling antics throughout the house that don't tend to focus on the reasoning for the haunting as that gets introduced quite late into the film due to this setup. As well, some of the effects belie their low-budget origins and seem somewhat hokey but it's not nearly enough to lower this completely.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language and Violence.

This movie really shocked me when I saw it on Cinema. I Think it has everything a Great horror should have. Twist and turns. Originality in story telling. Characters it is hard to like, but it still makes me care about them. Great cinematagroaphy I never sin anything like this before. Acting is good. It is scary as hell and creeps over you during the hole 80 minutes of film. It keeps the ending a Little open for audience to think for them self. I dont want to spoil anything for you, but what you Think you get is not what you get. Maybe that is the problem for the film? It makes the audience Believe it is something els then it is... Well. If thats the case. I dont like the same films as general people do. As I say I like this one becouse it shocked me. This is a horror film I will bring with me to the Day I die. Like my favorite horror films - the Cangling, the Omen, the Exorcist, the witch and it comes at Night

Opening shows odd stuff. Officer w peaked cap and great coat. Dying soldier w Stahlhelm. Other soldier dressed as paratrooper. Odd mix. Later he says they were dropped 100 km from there. Long walk. Candles and electricity too? Must have solar panels or hidden generator. Windmill or hydro dam too. Still a fun movie.