Home invasions by a stranger in your home is one of the most chilling and frightening things that could possibly happen to us. Coming home to find out there’s someone hiding in the shower or behind the door is haunting. A story that’s been around the horror genre for years, it’s practically the crème de la crème by now. The Strangers, Us, Funny Games, it goes on and on. The debut from writer/director Duncan Birmingham, Who Invited Them, is one hell of a twisted and worthy entry on the list of uninvited house guest flicks.
The story follows a couple moving to a stunning new house in the Hollywood Hills where they decide to throw a housewarming party because, what else would you do when you move to a new house? What better thing to do than throw a party, meet people, and make friends? So this is what Adam (Ryan Hansen, Friday the 13th) and Margot (Melissa Tang, A Good Day to Die Hard) do: throw a massive party in their new house. Not being able to keep track of the guest list, a random couple they don’t know, have never seen, and have no idea how they got there, are strangely the last two to be roaming around the home. Tom (Timothy Granaderos, 13 Reasons Why) and his girlfriend Sasha (Perry Mattfeld, Shameless) immediately seem to be playing mind games with the homeowners, and like anyone would ask in this situation, who invited them?
Birmingham’s script does a great job of constantly asking the question, who is this couple? And how did they get here? During the film, you continually want to yell at the screen as you do with these kinds of movies, but what he does with it is very effective and there is never a dull moment in the narrative. Adam and Margot’s relationship is already under distress with these unresolved issues. So what better to do than throw in a couples therapy session, which doesn’t do them any favors as Tom and Sasha are constantly toying with the couple. They are playing mind games with them as the couples break into groups and each of pair is playing 21 questions; Tom is digging for information (like how Adam got their house for so cheap), while Sasha is going for Margot and her insecurities. Birmingham does a fascinating job building tension between the couples, as it all leads to them doing drugs and having a four-way sexual experience.
I don’t want to reveal much more, as that would get into spoilers, but it’s no doubt that Sasha and Tom are villains with insane backstories. The way the script weaves in these pieces of info for us about their past is astounding. Birmingham does a beautiful job building the tension constantly so it never lacks, not to mention the stunning performances from Mattfeld and Granaderos; the layers they add to their roles shine. This genre, at times, can be tedious and overly predictable, but I didn’t feel that here. There is always mounting tension, never a dull moment. However, there isn’t any beautiful imagery or any astounding visuals, or even any elaborate set designs, but that doesn’t take away from the film. In fact, this isn’t that movie; instead, Birmingham creates this chemistry with the couples allowing them to be the complete stars of the movie. The film knows how to grab you, draw you in to be the fifth member of the group, and hold you there, just as immersed as our wealthy couple until the credits roll.
The horror isn’t always there, but when it does arrive, it’s shockingly good, and when the film does close out with an impressive climax that you’re not expecting, it is surprisingly satisfying. There are a few plot holes that don’t pay off too well, and there are not as many violent outbreaks as you would think there would be, though when they are there, they are impactful. Who Invited Them is ultimately a great addition in the genre that is worth every minute of your time. It’s a chilling thriller that reminds us never to trust anyone, especially our neighbors.
Who Invited Them will premiere exclusively on Shudder beginning September 1, 2022.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgavhhzfsg8]
'Who Invited Them' is a chilling thriller that reminds us never to trust anyone, especially our neighbors.
-
GVN Rating 8
-
User Ratings (0 Votes)
0
It all started when I was a kid watching Saturday morning cartoons like the Spider-Man: Animated Series and Batman. Since then I’ve been hooked to the world of pop culture. Huge movie lover from French New Wave, to the latest blockbusters, I love them all. Huge Star Wars and Marvel geek. When I’m free from typing away at my computer, you can usually catch me watching a good flick or reading the next best comic. Come geek out with me on Twitter @somedudecody.