House of Spoils // By Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy. With Ariana DeBose, Barbie Ferreira and Arian Moayed.
House of Spoilsa film released on Amazon Prime Video and produced by Blumhouse, piqued my interest due to its intriguing concept mixing gastronomy and suspense, as well as the presence of talented actors like Ariana DeBose. But, after watching, I can’t help but be disappointed by the end result. If certain elements of the film are successful, the whole thing struggles to convince, both because of its not very credible scenario and because of its uneven pace. One of the most successful aspects of the film is undoubtedly the performance of Ariana DeBose in the lead role. Oscar winner, she manages to aptly embody a chef faced with both professional and personal challenges. She particularly excels in the scenes where her character descends into madness, making these moments as disturbing as they are captivating. Other actors, like Barbie Ferreira and Marton Csokas, add some depth to the story, although their characters are limited by a storyline that doesn’t allow them to fully shine.
An ambitious chef opens a restaurant on a remote property where she must deal with the chaos of the kitchen, crushing self-doubt…and a haunting presence that threatens to sabotage her at every turn.
The cooking scenes are also well filmed, with particular attention paid to technical gestures and the precision of dish preparation. However, for those who are not particularly interested in cooking, these sequences can quickly become repetitive, even boring, because they do not always provide significant narrative elements. One of the biggest problems of House of Spoils lies in its storyline. From the start, it is difficult to believe the story of this chef who, with paltry resources and a dilapidated kitchen infested with mold and cockroaches, still manages to create innovative gastronomic recipes. The lack of realism harms the viewer’s immersion. We often wonder how she manages to cook in such unfavorable conditions, without it being really explained.
The film is based on a subplot linked to a former owner supposedly witch, but this supernatural dimension remains underdeveloped. If this idea could have brought a real touch of mystery and thrill, it is exploited in a superficial way, which leaves an impression of screenplay ease. Everything seems possible, but nothing is really coherent or in-depth. We have the impression that the film relies too much on this pretext to justify the strange events that take place there. The main criticism that can be made of House of Spoils is its rhythm. The film suffers from excessive slowness, with each scene stretching far beyond what is necessary. Certain actions, which could have been processed in a few minutes, drag on, creating a feeling of emptiness. The major problem seems to be a lack of material to last for the duration of a feature film. In many ways, the story would have been better suited to a short film or a series episode of around 30 minutes.
Unfortunately, this slowness eventually gets boring, and it becomes difficult to stay invested in the plot. The climax, usually the key element of a horror film, is particularly disappointing here. After waiting for a build-up of tension that never really comes, the film’s conclusion is anti-climactic and sorely lacks impact. The viewer, who has already had to be patient throughout the film, finds himself faced with a lackluster ending, which only accentuates the general frustration. What makes House of Spoils even more confusing is his inability to clearly define himself. Although categorized as a horror film, it does not really adopt the codes. The few scenes intended to scare are rare and not very striking. In reality, the film is more of a psychological drama or thriller, with a touch of the supernatural. But even in these registers, it fails to create tension or an atmosphere engaging enough to maintain the viewer’s interest.
On several occasions, I felt like the film was trying to mix too many disparate elements with no real direction. Between the drama of a chef in difficulty, the mystery surrounding the former owner of the restaurant, and the touches of horror, none of these aspects are really fully exploited. The result is a film which, by trying to do too much, ultimately fails to offer anything truly convincing. In summary, House of Spoils is a disappointment. Despite a fine cast and laudable intentions, the film fails to captivate, due to a scenario that is too improbable, a desperately slow pace and a lackluster ending. Fans of Blumhouse films may find some enjoyable elements, but those looking for an original and gripping horror film may be bitterly disappointed. If you like food-centric films, you might enjoy the food scenes, but for everything else, this film is unfortunately best avoided.
Note : 2/10. In short, Blumhouse continues to produce dog food.
Released on October 3, 2024 directly on Amazon Prime Video
