Jan. 14, 2022|United States|R
Genre: Animation;Drama;Family;Sci-Fi;&;Fantasy;Thriller
Description: “The House” is a 2022 adult stop-motion anthology special produced by UK-based Nexus Studios and streamed by Netflix. It features three distinct stories, each set in the same house but in different time periods. The first two tales carry a spooky twist, while the third presents a more straightforward yet dystopian narrative.
Stop-motion animation, with its slightly jerky movements, inherently adds an eerie quality to the film, emphasizing the meticulous effort behind each frame. This technique subtly hints at themes of fate and control, as if unseen forces dictate every action, stripping away any illusion of free will.
The first story, directed by Emma De Swaef and Marc James Roels, is set around the turn of the 20th century. It follows an impoverished family lured into moving to a grand, custom-built house by an enigmatic architect named Mr. Thomas, voiced by Mark Heap. The house, filled with modern conveniences like automatic lighting and prepared meals, quickly reveals its darker side. Nothing comes without a cost, and the family soon learns that the house demands a price for its comforts.
This segment masterfully blends charm and unease, using bulbous-headed felted characters that teeter between endearing and unsettling. The story serves as a haunting reminder of the hidden costs of luxury and the dangers of relinquishing control to unseen forces.
Cast actor: Mia Goth, Jarvis Cocker, Susan Wokoma, Helena Bonham Carter, Matthew Goode, Claudie Blakley, Sven Wollter, Yvonne Lombard, Paul Kaye, Will Sharpe
Original name: The House