In The House, the same mysterious house successively plays the leading role in the lives of a poor family, an inexperienced real estate speculator, and an overworked landlady. Let me start with a few warnings to set expectations. First of all, this is an animated series, although on some streamers you can see it as one long movie. The animation style is stop-motion and not everyone likes that. Personally, I have enormous respect for the work and creativity of animators. I hear a lot of people say they think it's childish. Well, then I know a few animation films that will change their mind.
This brings us naturally to the second warning. The House is certainly not a series for really young children. The style is too macabre for that. Sensitive adults will also have trouble with the atmosphere of these three stories.
The House is certainly not a series for really young children.
In the first story, we see how the young children of a family are the only ones to realize that something strange is going on in their beautiful new home. A typical case of: if something is too good to be true, then it is.
The second story tells of a young man who fixes up houses with the aim of selling them for a profit. This time, the most interested candidates have their own idea of how the sale should be handled.
In the third story, we see a landlady who has only a few tenants left. Her wish to fix up the house is constantly hampered by circumstances. It's almost as if another future awaits her, but how can you be sure?
The few and sometimes rather ominous music partly determines the atmosphere. The story and the main characters do the rest. They are not all human, although they behave very naturally. Each of them is in one way or another in financial trouble and is forced to step outside their comfort zone. The consequences are always different than they themselves expect.
The animation quality is absolutely top notch.
I am aware that this is a series that not everyone will enjoy. However, for lovers of skilfully made animation and slightly morbid, but very human stories, this is a gem. My tip: check again after a few days and notice how much attention has been given to the details. The animation quality is absolutely top notch.
Not enough? Maybe it helps if I mention that the writer and one of the directors are related to Cillian Murphy?
