Movie Review: The Night House – A Haunting Journey with a Mysterious Ending

Rebecca Hall in The Night House — a chilling tale of grief and the supernatural, where every mystery leads to more questions.

I recently watched The Night House, and while the film captivated me throughout, the ending left me with lingering questions. This psychological horror thriller, directed by David Bruckner, takes us on a dark and eerie journey through grief, trauma, and the supernatural. It follows Beth (played brilliantly by Rebecca Hall), a widow who is struggling to understand the circumstances surrounding her husband's death, only to discover that there are many more secrets than she ever imagined.

The Story:

At the core of The Night House is a simple yet chilling premise: Beth, living in the remote lake house her late husband built for her, begins to uncover unsettling truths about his life and their marriage. As she starts to piece together cryptic clues, she finds herself facing a terrifying supernatural force that ties her to her husband's past.

As the film unfolds, Beth keeps seeing women who look strikingly similar to her, deepening the mystery surrounding her husband’s life. In one haunting scene, she visits a bookshop and finds a woman who looks almost identical to herself. The woman working at the shop claims to know Beth’s husband, leaving her with more clues than answers. Later that night, the woman visits Beth at the lake house, claiming she’s been there before and needs to tell her something about Beth’s husband and what actually happened. This encounter only adds to the confusion, pushing Beth further into her search for answers.

Beth then discovers a mysterious house across the lake, one that looks eerily similar to the home her husband built for them. The house is dilapidated and spooky, and when the woman from the bookshop leaves, Beth, angry and upset, decides to investigate further. Inside the house, she finds a series of disturbing reflections and a hidden room that feels like a mirror version of her own home.

In a shocking twist, Beth discovers bodies of women her husband had murdered—victims she had no idea existed. Though she’s disturbed, she still can’t fully believe what she’s found and returns home, confused and filled with dread.

The Cast:

The film stars Rebecca Hall as Beth, a grieving widow whose emotional journey anchors the entire film. Hall's portrayal is both heart-breaking and chilling, capturing the essence of a woman in denial, grappling with the supernatural and her own dark realizations.

Sarah Goldberg plays Claire, Beth’s best friend, who tries to support Beth as she unravels the mystery of her late husband's past.

Vondie Curtis-Hall plays Mel, a local man who, in the final scenes, shares a cryptic interaction with Beth at the dock, hinting at deeper secrets surrounding the lake house.

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The Night House Trailer:

THE NIGHT HOUSE | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures

Searchlight Pictures YouTube Channel

The Good:

What I loved most about The Night House were its jumpy moments. There’s something about the film’s pacing and the constant feeling of something lurking just out of sight that made it so effective. It keeps you questioning whether what Beth is seeing is real or a product of her grief and paranoia. The eerie sound design and haunting visuals contribute to the film’s sense of unease, drawing you deeper into the mystery.

The cinematography, expertly crafted by Elisha Christian, stands out as one of the film’s most haunting elements. The shots of the house at night—mysterious, dark, and almost suffocating—perfectly mirror the confusion and dread Beth is experiencing. Christian’s use of shadows and reflections enhances the suspense, with the audience constantly left wondering what is real and what isn’t.

Beth (Rebecca Hall) and Claire (Sarah Goldberg) in a tense moment from The Night House, as the mystery deepens.

The Not-So-Good:

However, as much as I enjoyed the journey, the film’s ending left me scratching my head. The final scenes, particularly the moment with Beth, her friend, and the man on the dock, were confusing. The man looks up and sees a shadow in the boat where Beth was, and says, "What is that?" Beth responds, "It’s nothing," to which he replies, "It must be nothing." I couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment, though significant, left me with more questions than answers. What was the shadow? What did it mean for Beth and her journey?

And then, there’s the mystery of the bodies. Throughout the film, Beth uncovers disturbing clues about her husband’s activities, including the mysterious disappearances of other women. But what happens to the bodies? Are they connected to the supernatural elements? The film teases a deeper, more disturbing truth, but it doesn’t quite resolve these questions in a way that feels satisfying.

Beth’s belief that her husband’s spirit is trying to contact her is a running theme throughout the film. She feels his presence, especially after discovering the bodies in the mirror house, but as the film progresses, we learn that the spirit she’s been feeling isn’t her husband’s at all. It’s a twist that left me even more bewildered but added to the horror of what she’s been going through.

spooky shadows watch Beth

Final Thoughts:

The Night House is a beautifully crafted horror film with a strong performance from Rebecca Hall. Directed by David Bruckner, it excels in atmosphere, suspense, and the slow burn of its mystery. The cinematography by Elisha Christian adds layers of tension, playing with shadows and reflections that elevate the eerie atmosphere. However, the ending left me wanting more clarity—especially regarding the supernatural elements and the fate of the bodies that were hinted at throughout the film.

Despite these unresolved questions, I can’t deny that the movie kept me thinking long after it ended. The eerie feeling of unease lingers, and I can’t help but admire the way the film plays with grief and the unknown. It’s definitely worth a watch for fans of psychological horror, but be prepared for an ending that may not tie everything up in a neat little bow.

Beth (Rebecca Hall) stands at the edge of the lake, reflecting on the chilling mysteries that haunt her in The Night House.

Would you recommend The Night House?

Despite its ending, I would still recommend The Night House. It's a film that, while not completely satisfying in terms of explanations, does an excellent job of setting the mood and drawing you into its mysterious world. If you love horror that makes you think and question what you’ve seen, this one’s for you.

DETAILS:

• Release Date: The Night House premiered on August 20, 2021.

• Distributor: Searchlight Pictures

• Writers: Written by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski.

Let Me Know What You Think:

Did the ending leave you with as many questions as I had? What did you think of the supernatural elements and the character arcs? Feel free to leave your thoughts and theories in the comments below—I’d love to hear your take on the film!