Writer: Dhivashini

Writer Ratings:
Overall:
Cast:
Plot:
Effects:
Cinematography:

Watch this if you liked: “Shutter Island”, “The Skeleton Key” and “The Others”

From the filmmaker who brought the 2009 film "Brothers" to the big screen, Jim Sheridan directs this psychological thriller that throws a mysterious house and a helpless family into the mix. With the help of a stellar cast like Daniel Craig (Will Atenton), Rachel Weisz (Libby Atenton), and Naomi Watts (Ann Patterson), the audiences are somehow easily engaged. "Dream House "might end up being your run-of-the-mill tale of horror/mystery, but it is essentially the talents that makes this film succeed.

It starts off with a brilliant author, Will Atenton who quits his job to spend more time with his family, Libby and their daughters. As they settle into their new life, they realize that their newly bought house was a scene of a grisly murder. With the help of Ann Patterson, they race to uncover the secret behind the house before it's too late. Jim Sheridan takes the audiences through a couple of twist and turns in the second half, leading the plot in sometimes unnecessary directions. However, the film does attempt to bridge the audience's mental barrier as it slowly transcends from things going bump at night to a twisted maze of a disturbing puzzle.

It can be easily said that the performances of Daniel Craig and Rachel Weiz fuels the gears of the film. They exclude so much of chemistry on the screen that allows the audiences to bode well with the emotions portrayed. Both being exceptional actors, they shine with ease through the film. Naomi Watt's role however was rather forgettable, but she does manage to bring credibility to her role.

John Debney handles the tension of the scenes well with suspense inducing beats, but from the overall view of the film, the score is relatively mediocre. He succeeds in elevating certain scenes, sending pulses racing and keeping the audiences at the edge of their seats.

"Dream House" is a psychological thriller than begins with a basic eerie premise and spirals into a web of thrilling twists and turns. One might find it to be predictable at parts, but the brilliant casts are at their best to charm you through the course of the film. In short, walk into the film without any expectations, and you might just come out of it thoroughly entertained.

Cinema Online, 23 September 2011