The House at the End of Time

This should not be placed in the genre of "Horror." This is a science fiction thriller mystery. While hard sci-fi is based on believable technology, soft sci-fi is based on mysterious elements which focus on other things. Think "2001: A Space Odyssey" vs. "The Time Traveler's Wife." This isn't a good movie "considering it is a product of Venezuela." It is a great watch because it is a well directed, realistically performed entertaining sci-fi short story with no plot holes or loose ends. If you feel there is one, watch it again.

Do not go into it expecting a horror film. It's better than that. It's about the mystery of what happens in this house at a time of marital trouble and childhood tragedies. What is it? Why is it there? How is it there? Find out.

The House At The End Of Time is touted as being the first feature length horror-thriller from Venezuela...and it is that country's highest grossing film of all time.

It tells the story of a woman named Dulce, based on the experiences she has after moving into a house with a dark history.

Basically, the house had sat abandoned for years, only to see the government seize it and offer to a family in need.

Enter Dulce and her family.

They move into the house, only to start experiencing eerie phenomenon.

Then, one night, they are attacked by ghosts: an old man carrying a knife, and a young boy, at least.

We follow from the perspective of Dulce, who wakes up bleeding on the ground...only to find her husband stabbed...and watch her son be seized away into the darkness.

For this, she is arrested. Because there is no evidence that anyone else was ever in the house...and she can't explain the dead body and missing boy.

Fast forward 30 years later, and Dulce (now an elderly woman) has been released from prison and returned to her home.

She is under protective custody, but is adamant that she wants to find her child. So she illicits the help of the local priest.

He is able to offer her moral and psychological support, but the police won't let him hang around long enough to help otherwise. So, she is left to deal with things on her own.

And this is where it starts to get trippy.

She begins to experience the events from that fateful day in her past again...but from the other side.

Effectively making her the ghost that has been haunting her past self.

And as the story continues, you slowly start to realize...that her and her family have become lost souls...trapped in time...living out their torment cyclically, forever.

Which might seem horrific, if there wasn't a couple of light-hearted- and extremely clever- twists at the end.

This film is expertly constructed in a circular fashion. And the second half acts as a mirror image of the first (in reverse).

In this sense, it works a lot like Oculus. In that it is an engaging puzzler, whose direction shifts drastically, as you get deeper into the film and are provided with more context.

And that is what makes this film so damn enjoyable.

It's not too complex either. It's really easy to follow, which leaves it accessible to more mainstream audiences.

This is a great film that you should definitely check out.

Not only does it scare you...it establishes Hidalgo as a master manipulator.

Definitely see this...and don't wait for the remake.

7.5 out of 10.

Okay, I'm no part Venezuelan.

It's a good film. American audiences, take it for what it is, a low budget film from a small film industry. Yes, it has weakpoints, but also strengths.

Pros: innovative plot twists, well filmed. Cons: Slow starter, overdramatizing music gives away some surprises, a few connections are contrived. Overall: A good twist on a psychological pensive ghost story.

Who might like this? It's a little old school, like Gaslight, with some of the Spanish style, like Del Toro's Devil's Backbone. A touch of The Others, not as polished, but if you like those films, and are looking for something else, this would be a good one to watch.

ps.

To reviewers & commenters : Don't knock countries. Americans love European & Mexican movies. We're not latinophobes. Key? Subtlety. It's much more powerful if a twist happens and we almost miss it, and then wham, it's there. Just like some day noticing "oh, huh, they're from Venezuela."

This needed saying because of the number of comments on the topic comments and reviews. I know funding is hard to come by for major projects in Venezuela, so kudos, keep it up. I look forward to future results.

"La Casa Del Fin De Los Tiempos" is a surprisingly well made thriller which have great performances, especially by Ruddy Rodríguez who really takes you into this story. Good screenplays, good editing and an excellent location also come with it.

There is a plenty of scenes that make you jump with a good storyline that catch your attention, really great sound editing and an excellent atmosphere bring this thriller alive. The progress of the movie goes in a good motion, not too fast not too slow and when it probably could be a little predictable still is a great experience to watch.

If you're a thriller fan, this movie will be enough for you.

Well, I am going to start by saying that I'm Venezuelan and I usually hate venezuelan movies, they are too violent and pointless and I refused to waste my time with those kinds of films. "La Casa del fin de los tiempos" is just amazing, it's a well made thriller with a pinch of horror, but the story is just awesome. The cast is one of the best you can find in the country but the story.. oh the story. It starts with a lot of "action" and you might assume it's just a regular horror movie but while the minutes go by you realize that not everything is what it seems to be. The only negative aspect would be in my opinion the make up but Rudy Rodriguez's performance makes you forget about it. I am proud of this film and I am glad I gave venezuelan movies another chance.