Dir. Remi Weekes | Now Streaming On: Netflix | Rating: 5/5

I put off watching His House for a while, mostly because of its mixed reviews across the internet, which was a huge misstep on my part. Even typing this now, I’m struggling to summarize how powerful this film truly is. A dark, raw, and unflinchingly realistic portrayal of war, trauma and grief, His House is one of the strongest cultural horror films I’ve seen in a long time. ⁠
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I don’t share much about my “real job.” As a tiny snapshot, I work in workforce management and casework for recent U.S. immigrants and refugees. I’ve spent the last six years of my life working with this demographic and come to learn so much about the lengths refugees and asylees go to find stability and peace in a new country. Though I can’t ever claim to truly understand the pain of this challenge, Bol and Rial’s story is one I’ve heard more times than I can count. ⁠
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His House is truly unsettling for two reasons. One is that the Sudanese imagery of death portrayed in the film is horrifying, in my opinion. This story oozes with dread. The other reason is the weight of the reality of this film. Especially in light of the most recent surge in the decade-long Syrian Refugee Crisis, the horrors of war and the harm that humanity brings upon each other are at the forefront of our global culture. ⁠
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The core theme of this story is being haunted. A haunted house or a haunted life? We watch Rial and Bol become tormented by their past, their guilt, their trauma, and their loss. This film is so unbearably human and appeals to all of us, even if we haven’t experienced the real life horror of these refugees. His House is a solemn reminder that no action comes without its price, and that every soul is haunted by one thing or another. ⁠
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Tragic, beautiful, and a groundbreaking debut from Remi Weekes. This is an unforgettable watch. ⁠
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Know Before You Watch: Features blood, gore, death, war. ⁠