Asia, 1913: archaeologist John Prendergast (Clay Clement) is cursed after he kills a sacred monkey and absconds with a fortune in Indian national treasures and a Hindu woman, Chanda (Joyzelle Joyner). After two decades, the now wheelchair-bound Prendergast returns to the U.S. with Chanda to finally divide his wealth between the shareholders of his expedition. Inviting them to his home, he informs the investors of the fortune that awaits them, but warns them that in accepting their cut of the money they too will be cursed.
An 'old dark house' thriller, House of Mystery aims for giggles as much as it does scares, but fails to deliver much of either. Prendergast's house lacks the creepy atmosphere necessary to raise goosebumps (it's far too well lit and hasn't nearly enough cobwebs or secret corridors), the instrument of death is a silly gorilla (unconvincingly played by a man in a crap ape costume), the attempts at frivolity are more irritating than amusing, and most of the characters are so obnoxious you'll be longing for them to fall foul of the curse.
Even at just over an hour, the film quickly outstays its welcome. 3/10.
An 'old dark house' thriller, House of Mystery aims for giggles as much as it does scares, but fails to deliver much of either. Prendergast's house lacks the creepy atmosphere necessary to raise goosebumps (it's far too well lit and hasn't nearly enough cobwebs or secret corridors), the instrument of death is a silly gorilla (unconvincingly played by a man in a crap ape costume), the attempts at frivolity are more irritating than amusing, and most of the characters are so obnoxious you'll be longing for them to fall foul of the curse.
Even at just over an hour, the film quickly outstays its welcome. 3/10.