House (1985)

(In French, On Cable TV, September 2020) I may need to watch House a second time, because what I got from it was not at all what I was told I would get from it. Various sources say it’s a horror comedy, and, on paper, it’s got a few things that I should love: a writer protagonist, a haunted house, and plenty of gooey 1980s special effects. But in practice? It feels dull, featureless, repetitive and ordinary—just about the base level of what a haunted house film should be, except without any wit or humour. The integration of Vietnam War trauma into genre horror is intriguing but falls flat, and much of the family drama seems overly serious for what’s supposed to be lighthearted. I don’t know—maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for House. Maybe I’ll have another look at some other time. Until then, though, I can’t recommend it.