Peel Back the Layers with The House at the End of Time: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: a DVD copy of this films was provided IFC Films

Director/ writer: Alejandro Hidalgo.

Cast: Rosmel Bustamante, Adriana Calzadilla, Simona Chirinos and Gonzalo Cubero.

The House at the End of Time is a future IFC Films release, involving time shifting sequences. Somewhat like 2005's Memento (2000), time is used in a very unusual way. Characters can be in different timelines, at the same time as one house acts as some sort of ghostly conduit. Very complex in the writing department and somewhat slow in pacing, The House at the End of Time is a cinephile's dream.

The film beings with a small family. It is a loveless marriage, until two young boys enter the picture. Dulce feels obligated to them and she offers them shelter. But, Dulce's husband is less welcoming. Later, time begins to change as the past looks almost dreamlike, in quality. A haunted house is a hub of supernatural excitements. Soon, several violent events take place.

The first shot of the film.

The characters really make this film standout. The film primarily focuses on Dulce as she tries to look after her, what at first appears to be, orphans. She is caring soul to her children, but a vindictive wife. At heart of the film, Dulce moves the action forward. As well as Dulce, two brothers offer several lighter moments, to break the darker tedium and the constant interior shooting within the home. Truly innocent and desperate, the two brothers are the impetus for Dulce to travel through time and planes. She just wants them to be safe. Finally, the father is more of a minor character. He appears later in the film, when the climax is building in intensity. All of characters interact, believably, in this film.

The House at the End of Time offers a very complex storyline. The film begins in dark greys and washed out colours. These darker colours symbolize Dulce's elderly age. She is nearing the end of her life and the settings and costumes represent that change. In contrast, lighter colours are shown when Dulce is much younger. In fact, the colours continue to soften as the story moves ahead and Dulce becomes even more young. The colouring in the settings and costumes tell some of the story. Also, the film uses time layering in which characters from the past can interact with themselves in the present. So, it is possible, technically, for the protagonist to be in the present and the past at the same time and this occurs in one spot. For instance, Dulce fights with her self, on either sides of a locked door. Overall, the writing in The House at the End of Time is a true achievement.

Pacing is slightly slow in this outing. Thankfully, supernatural and psychological elements make up for any lack of acton. There are many, many scenes of Dulce wandering around the large rundown house. These scenes repeat a little too frequently. Dulce is often creeping about these sets, alone. It would have been more interesting to see a little more character interaction, in these drawn out sequences. Though, there are lots spooky bits within The House at the End of Time, but there are also psychological ones. Early in the film, when two boys comes Dulce's home they appear as runaways. Yet, the origins of the boys changes over time. The viewer's own impressions will determine how the two boys are related to the rest of the family. Personal interpretations are required in this one, because evidence splits up the reality of the film. Also, psychology shows why characters are acting as they do. A sexless marriage, leaves one character off screen for much of Act 1. The reason for the father's murderous rage towards his son is shown, an hour later. The film is not entirely a haunted house horror feature; it is a good look at character motivations, too.

The House at the End of Time will be released November 11th, 2014 and film fans are encouraged to take a look at this outing. The film is a mystery, near the beginning. As the film's reveals itself, slowly, viewers are able to understand why Dulce is returning to future or past time periods. A one-of-a-kind film, The House at the End of Time is an innovative and unforgettable film.

*this is the first horror film from Venezuela.

Overall: 8 out of 10 (great writing, creepy settings, good use of lighting).


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