Director: Ben Leonberg
Year: 2025
Country: USA
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Haunted House
Plot:
Watching over his masters, a loyal dog returns with them to his house, which is soon thought to be haunted when a series of strange accidents occur around the dog at the house, eventually coming to believe that these are the result of some demonic entity, and tries to protect his masters.
Review:
Overall, this was a rather fun and likable experiment. Among the best attributes here is the indisputably original and clever premise throughout here where it takes the action from the point-of-view of the dog. Rather than it being strictly a POV first-person encounter, though, this one puts the dog as the main character, and we follow him throughout most of the movie, from the brief moments he's left in the room watching his humans interact or the time they're together on walks in the woods, which makes everything feel far more ominous than normal. Knowing how animals react to danger or threats and constantly seeing the dog exhibit those signs throughout his time in the house, as well as the innate ability to want the dog to be safe just on sheer principle, makes everything feel that much more intriguing as it goes along.
By the time it starts to hint that something's going on, there are some fun moments that bring the tension of the dog being aware of something that no one else is. With the changes occurring to his master slowly in the form of behavioral changes and violent outbursts that aren't his typical actions, this one goes for an increasingly subtle type of haunting that involves him trying to console and comfort his master's deteriorating condition. That might make the film feel rather repetitive and one-note, with it essentially devolving into watching the dog run around the house doing things that would get the viewer on edge, for he's acting, although it never makes that physical towards the dog. It's understandable from a logical perspective, but as an isolated film experience, this does crop up and hold the film down somewhat.
Overview: ****/5
A really effective one-note performance that works quite effectively, this one comes together rather well and generates quite a lot to like about it that keeps it more than just that gimmick offering. Those with an interest in this kind of genre fare, who are curious about it, or those who appreciate the concept will have a lot to like, while most others out there should heed caution.
Comments
Post a Comment