Dream House (2011)

Soon after moving into their seemingly idyllic new home, a family learns of a brutal crime committed against former residents of the dwelling.

Director:

Jim Sheridan

Writer:

David Loucka

Stars:

Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts, Rachel Weisz

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Craig	...	Will Atenton
Naomi Watts	...	Ann Patterson
Rachel Weisz	...	Libby
Elias Koteas	...	Boyce
Marton Csokas	...	Jack Patterson
Taylor Geare	...	Trish
Claire Geare	...	Dee Dee (as Claire Astin Geare)
Rachel G. Fox	...	Chloe Patterson (as Rachel Fox)
Jane Alexander	...	Dr. Greeley
Brian Murray	...	Dr. Medlin
Bernadette Quigley	...	Heather Keeler
Sarah Gadon	...	Cindi
Gregory Smith	...	Artie
Mark Wilson	...	Capt. Conklin
David Huband	...	Officer Nelson

Storyline

Some say that all houses have memories. For one man, his home is the place he would kill to forget. A family unknowingly moves into a home where several grisly murders were committed...only to find themselves the killer's next target. Successful publisher Will Atenton (Craig) quit a job in New York City to relocate his wife, Libby (Weisz), and two girls to a quaint New England town. But as they settle into their new life, they discover their perfect home was the murder scene of a mother and her children. And the entire city believes it was at the hands of the husband who survived. When Will investigates the tragedy, his only lead comes from Ann Paterson (Watts), a neighbor who was close to the family that died. As Will and Ann piece together the disturbing puzzle, they discover that the story of the last man to leave Will's dream house will be just as horrifying to the one who came next.

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Plot Keywords:

amnesia | immolation | house fire | extension ladder | last day on job | 

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Taglines:

Once upon a time, there were two little girls who lived in a house.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, terror, some sexuality and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [fr]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Detrás de las paredes

Filming Locations:

Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$8,129,355 (USA) (30 September 2011)

Gross:

$21,283,440 (USA) (11 November 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cliffjack Motion Pictures, Morgan Creek Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Jim Sheridan fought with Morgan Creek's head Jim Robinson continuously on the set over the shape of the script and the production of the movie. After Sheridan re-shot some scenes because they did not go down well with test audiences, Morgan Creek took away the film from Sheridan's hands to re-cut it themselves. As a result, they created the trailer which many felt gave away too many of the movie's secrets. As a result, Sheridan, Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz refused to promote the film to the press.

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Goofs

In the diner where Will is asking the police officers about the murders, the front shot of the officers is flipped as indicated by the text on the menu in the background as well as the seating of the officers switching between shots. That's because it's being seen through the mirror behind the counter at the diner.

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Quotes

Will Atenton: Once upon a time, there were two little girls who lived in a house.

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Connections

Referenced in Conan: The Day the Proofradar Quit (2011)

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Soundtracks

"You're Still With Me"
Written by Rachael Lawrence and Deborah Ellen
Performed by 'Mavis Campbell'

User Reviews

This Sheridan Thriller is for the Thinking Viewer

Editor and author Will Atenton (Daniel Craig) quits a high power job in Manhattan to relocate with his wife, Libby (Rachel Weisz), and two girls to a quaint New England town. However, as they settle into their new life, they discover that their house was the murder scene of a mother and her two children. Will tries to befriend his neighbour Ann Patterson (Naomi Watts) and find out from her what happened but she is not too eager to talk.

Meanwhile, Will's younger daughter starts seeing someone lurking outside the window at night. As Will pieces together the haunting puzzle, he must find out who murdered the family in his dream house before the culprit returns to kill again.

"Dream House" is not a suspense thriller that will jolt you with sudden loud music and cheap scares. Instead, it plays games with your mind, keeping you guessing about what's happening and making you sort out the plot yourself. Now, if you like your thrillers done this way, then go for it. If not, this one is going to be a nightmare...

Director Jim Sheridan's plot build-up is almost by-the-book and he makes no apology for it. The opening scenes show Will as a devoted father and loving husband. At first, his daughter's visions of a shadowy figure are dismissed quietly, but when Will gets physical evidence of someone lurking around, our curiosity heightens. Sheridan, who gave us "My Left Foot" and "In The Name of The Father", is not delivering this thriller to his audience in a platter. He just dishes out the cards and lets his audience sort them out - at least until the closing sequences.

At first, it feels rather weird to see beefcake Craig as a domesticated guy. However, there is a good chemistry between he and Weisz who also lends a loving and tender touch to the proceedings. The kids, played by Claire and Taylor Geare, are also convincing and adorable. It would have been great to see more of Naomi Watts but her role is rather limited - and she acquits herself professionally. Fans of Rachel G. Fox, the Scarvo girl in TV's Desperate Housewives, will find her in a cameo as Ann's daughter Chloe. All in all, a thriller for the thinking viewer.