‘The House at the End of Time’ is Unpredictable and Heartfelt [The Overlook Motel]
Welcome to The Overlook Motel, a place where under-seen and unappreciated films are given their moment in the spotlight. I hope you enjoy your stay here and find the accommodations to be suitable. Now, please take a seat and make yourself comfortable, I have some misbehaving guests to ‘correct’.
In this edition of The Overlook Motel, we will be looking back at Alejandro Hidalgo’s under-seen horror film, The House at the End of Time. This unpredictable picture is smartly written, with a series of twists and turns along the way that lead up to a satisfying and surprising climax. Featuring a talented cast of characters that turn in solid performances, The House at the End of the Time is as touching as it is unpredictable.
Dulce (Ruddy Rodríguez) is sent to prison for a series of violent events that transpired in her home. Thirty years later, she is released back to the house where the tragedy transpired. Convinced that otherworldly forces are at work, Dulce looks for answers to explain what really happened. But initially, she finds more questions than answers.
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The film hits the ground running with a sense of foreboding. The score, the camerawork, and the bleak color palette let us know that we are in for a harrowing journey. And a harrowing journey it is. The film is heartbreaking at times. But the end result is well worth any strife the viewer must endure along the way.
One element that makes The House at the End of Time so effective is great performances from the entire cast. The relationship between Dulce and her boys feels completely authentic. Rodríguez is excellent as Dulce. She captures the essence of a mother’s love in a believable and sincere way. The actress has done quite a bit of acting on Spanish-language television. However, I would be thrilled to see her take on more cinematic roles. She is clearly talented and capable of turning in a dynamic performance. She is the centerpiece of this film and carries it effortlessly.
The House at the End of Time is a film that rests heavily on the final reveal. And while I sometimes come away from films with a surprise conclusion disappointed by the reveal, that’s not the case here. Everything comes together nicely in the third act and the reveal is well-supported. The first time I watched the film, all I wanted to do was watch it a second time to put the pieces together and look for clues I had missed upon my inaugural viewing. The twist isn’t an afterthought or the product of convoluted rewrites. The reveal suits the film perfectly and pays off, rather than serving merely as a means to subvert expectations.
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Aside from the narrative twists, the frequent timeline shifts from past to present help to keep the viewer on their toes. When the audience is on high alert, they are likely more susceptible to the terror that transpires within the walls of the house. Writer/director Alejandro Hidalgo does a remarkable job of leaving the audience in a constant state of suspense. He gives us just enough information about the unexplained goings on but allows anyone watching the film for the first time to draw their own conclusions until the point at which all is finally revealed.
If I were to lodge one criticism, it would be that Dulce’s old-age makeup is a little artificial looking. But on a budget south of $1 million, I think the makeup effects probably look better than they should. So, I’m not sure I would even call that a criticism.
I strongly suspect the reason this flick doesn’t come up in more conversations is the fact that it is Spanish-language with English subtitles. But please, Dear Reader, do not let that stop you from experiencing this imaginative and thrilling flick.
The House at the End of Time is streaming on Peacock, Tubi, and Vudu as of the publication of this post. If you opt to check this one out, please let us know what you thought via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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