Housebound
Housebound

Movie spotlight

Housebound

2014
Movie
111 min
English

When Kylie Bucknell is sentenced to home detention, she's forced to come to terms with her unsociable behaviour, her blabbering mother and a hostile spirit who seems less than happy about the new living arrangement.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes97%
Metacritic71/100
Google Users89%
Director: Gerard JohnstoneGenres: Comedy, Horror, Mystery

Plot Summary

Kylie Bucknell is forced to return to her childhood home after being released from prison on parole. Under house arrest, she must live with her overbearing mother and estranged father. Strange noises and unsettling events plague the house, leading Kylie to believe it is haunted. Her mother dismisses her fears, attributing them to an overactive imagination, but as the phenomena escalate, Kylie begins to suspect a more sinister truth lies within the walls.

Critical Reception

Housebound received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its blend of horror and comedy. Reviewers praised its originality, suspenseful atmosphere, and the strong performances of its lead actresses. The film was lauded for successfully subverting genre expectations and delivering genuine scares alongside laugh-out-loud moments, establishing itself as a standout in the horror-comedy niche.

What Reviewers Say

  • A refreshing and inventive horror-comedy that effectively balances scares with humor.

  • Praised for its unique premise, suspenseful build-up, and strong comedic timing.

  • Lauded for its surprising plot twists and the chemistry between its lead actors.

Google audience: Audiences largely enjoyed Housebound, appreciating its clever humor and surprising scares. Many found the plot engaging and the performances memorable, with particular praise for its ability to entertain with both frights and laughs. Some viewers noted that the film's unique tone might not be for everyone, but the overall sentiment was highly positive.

Awards & Accolades

Won Best Film and Best Actress (Rima Te Wiata) at the Fantasia International Film Festival. Nominated for several awards at the Sitges Film Festival and the New Zealand Film and Television Awards.

Fun Fact

The film was shot entirely on location in a real house in Wellington, New Zealand, adding to its authentic and claustrophobic atmosphere.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Reno

Reno

**Under house arrest in a haunted house!** Absolutely a kick-ass horror-comedy from the Kiwi. In a horror, usually we expect too much, particularly we calculate them according to how much it scares us. That's a tough job for the filmmake...