Burnistoun writer and performer Robert Florence’s debut feature The House Of Him aims to tackle this head on. Sophie and Anna are invited into a photographers house for a shoot. However when he dons his mask, things take a murderous turn. Anna is left trapped inside the house at his mercy but the skeletons in his closet start rattling and soon the hunter is the hunted. Opening on familiar territory, masked killer murders attractive woman, the bread and butter of slasher movies, so far so ho-hum. But soon it takes a wholly different approach more akin to the domestic drama of Mike Leigh. Mr Croal, the Him of the title, begins to taunt his captive Anna. Asking, telling, her to smile for him. He’s in complete control throughout this time, his voice calm and collected. Richard Rankin does a grand job in conveying Him’s menace despite being underneath a mask, but is a bit too restrained. I was hoping he would really cut loose and give a more visceral performance but it never came. Not to say my spine wasn’t chilled but he could have been more of an immediate threat. Louise Stewart as Anna however is an absolute revelation, conveying vulnerability and resolute inner strength with ease. Intended as the first of a yearly cycle of independent horror flicks, The House Of Him is a slightly frustrating watch. Not fully embracing its setting or limitations. Never being as unhinged as it could be. Thematically however, it’s a strong metaphor for abusive relationships. An area that’s perhaps too real for films outside of gritty kitchen sink dramas. Robert Florence may not have totally succeeded with his aims but he’s to be commended for attempting to tackle such an issue in a new way. Overall The House Of Him is an interesting statement of intent from a studio and while it may not satisfy, it certainly whets the appetite for further productions. The House of Him is available to rent or buy digitally from Vimeo. Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.
