I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016)

A young nurse takes care of an elderly author who lives in a haunted house.

Director:

Oz Perkins (as Osgood Perkins)

Writer:

Oz Perkins (as Osgood Perkins)

Stars:

Ruth Wilson, Paula Prentiss, Bob Balaban

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Ruth Wilson	...	Lily
Paula Prentiss	...	Iris Blum
Bob Balaban	...	Mr. Waxcap
Lucy Boynton	...	Polly
Brad Milne	...	Groom
Daniel Chichagov	...	Mr. Darling
Erin Boyes	...	Young Iris
James Perkins	...	John
Beatrix Perkins	...	Wendy

Storyline

Stained by the brutal death of a young woman, the tranquil and vacant New England mansion of the prolific horror authoress, Iris Blum, has become her silent prison. To take care of the ageing writer who suffers from chronic dementia, the property's manager hires the gentle and soft-spoken live-in hospice nurse, Lily Saylor; however, this is far from an ordinary job. Little by little, Lily's imagination will run wild, as shadowy sightings of eerie female spectres blur the frail boundaries between reality and fantasy, fable and truth. Iris has talked about man's coexistence with the spectral realm in her novels that chill the bone to the marrow. Could her secluded white house at the end of the road be an aerial limbo caught in the middle of life and death?

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Plot Keywords:

haunted house | nurse | deformity | apparition | heart attack | 

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Yo soy la cosa linda que vive en la casa

Filming Locations:

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paris Film,Zed Filmworks,Go Insane Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In an early scene that pans across Iris Blum's bookshelf, the final book seen on the shelf is titled, "The Lady in the Walls." The book is later read and referenced throughout the film by the main character, Lily. Written by Iris the novel is set in the 1800s. It tells the story of Polly, a young bride whose gruesome death is not detailed in the conclusion to the novel. The first words spoken in the movie are almost identical to the opening of the novel, hinting at an interconnection between Polly and Lily. Iris insists of calling Lily by Polly's name throughout the film.

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Goofs

The Netflix trailer includes a copyright line with a misprint in the year, it states "Copyright MMXCI", a misprint for MMXVI (2016). MMXCI is 2091. The main film's opening copyright line also has a misprint. It reads "A Netflix Original Film. All rights reserved. MMXVI". This omits the word "Copyright" and the recognized symbol for it. (Copyright is properly asserted at the end of the end credits.)

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Quotes

Iris Blum: Where did you go, Polly?
Lily: I didn't go anywhere, Ms. Blum. I'm here with you, same as I have always been. The same Lily Saylor of 43 Hoover Road, Altoona... Pennsylvania. At your service.
Iris Blum: You had so much to say in those first years. When you lived here with me. Enough to fill a book. And then... nothing. You turned your back. You turned your back, and you turned your back so many times... that soon your feet were facing the wrong way altogether. And I had to watch you come into a room... back to ...

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Connections

Referenced in Half in the Bag: Shut in and Arrival (2016)

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Soundtracks

You Keep Coming Back Like a Song
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Anthony Perkins and Urbie Green & His Orchestra
Courtesy of RCA Records

User Reviews

A little wonky but a good watch

First reviewed on broth of blogs.This movie about a nurse Lily (Ruth Wilson) who comes to take care of an old author, Iris Blum, living alone in a remote house. Iris is almost senile and speaks to Lily only referring to her as Polly. Lily finds out that Polly was Iris's most famous character and she attempts reading one of the books that Iris has written. And something happens.

The story is simple enough but is still cryptic. I didn't get a few parts but I don't think I care. It is about the forgotten lives in the house. The movie is poetic (literally) and I quite enjoyed it.

Characterization and Acting (C&A)

Characterization was done well, I would have probably liked some exposition but I think this movie is supposed to be puzzling. Ruth Wilson plays the part to perfection - scared, vulnerable and alone. She really looks like she is going to have a heart attack anytime. Its totally her show as she probably has 80 minutes screen time of 90 minutes of the movie.

Sounds and Effects (S&E)

The background of this movie is just mind blowing. It is the scariest I have heard till date. Has this weird ability to spook you as well even if nothing scary is happening. Full points here. There weren't any jump scares and it is all left to your imagination at the end.

Cinematography and Visuals (C&V)

Like I said the movie is poetic. It is slow, there isn't much of a story but it moves you and creeps you out. They didn't overdo the actual horror which works in the movie's favor. The lighting was great and the setting itself eerie. Great stuff.

Direction and Overall (D &O)

Overall, the movie looked and sounded great. The acting was really good I thought. Only complaint I have is that maybe it could have had a little more exposition to actually understand some stuff which wasn't clear.

So here are my scores:

Plot and Script (P&S)- 1

Characterization and Acting (C&A) – 1

Sounds and Effects (S&E) – 2.0

Cinematography and Visuals (C&V) – 1.5

Direction and Overall (D &O) – 1

Overall Score – 6.5 out of 10

Good watch for Halloween 2016! Just be patient, the movie is not as long as its title!!