Muirhouse is one of the many horror movies released by Monster Pictures. Made in 2012, this Australian supernatural thriller is the debut feature by director Tanzeal Rahim.
The story follows Phillip Muirhouse (Iain McDonald) as he investigates a house famed for its haunted history, the Monte Cristo. The opening informs the viewer of Phillip’s trip to the site in order to accompany his latest book. The report complements the found footage style of the film, a technique that can be attributed to titles such as Paranormal Activity, REC, V/H/S, The Last Exorcism and arguably the original, The Blair Witch Project. The list could go on and is a slight indication of the overuse of this method. It’s not that I have anything against found footage, far from it. And Muirhouse was certainly a successful film in many aspects. However, what once was a truly unique and effective way of making viewer’s jaw-clench is now slightly passé and to make up for this the plot needs to be original and the enemy insidious.
After the initial documentation, the opening scene offers probably the most intriguing of the entire film as Muirhouse is discovered by two cops stumbling bare and bloody on an open road. The following events or the “build up” are also fairly well done as Muirhouse prepares for his stay at the Monte Cristo. It is discovered the house is “the most haunted in Australia” as the viewer is shown radio interviews, advice from a paranormal expert (Steve Lynch) and a smartly placed shot showing the recording of paranormal echoes.
What is a little confusing is Muirhouse’s attitude towards the supernatural. Although he is, in the movie, releasing a book titled “The Dead Country” and is quite adamant during his radio interview on the idea that he does not scare of the dead, on knowledge he will have to spend the initial hours of the house stay alone he appears rather distressed and anxious.
The rest of the film runs a little slow. It’s everything I would have expected with this type of movie. There’s a room which is “unnaturally cold” and noises that can’t be explained. And as the apparent spirit becomes more aware of Muirhouse’s presence, the games are gradually stepped up with louder bangs, doors closing and lights mysteriously turning off. The footage is taken through the various cameras planted on arrival at the house and before the haunting occurrences have heightened, Muirhouse reveals more of the story behind the Monte Cristo which includes the death of the Crawleys, original owners of the house.
Reaching the crescendo you see actor Iain McDonald giving his best “distressed man in a haunted house” impression as he is seen backing away on the floor, shouting and swearing for the invisible threat to leave him alone. With the knowledge of the opening scene, we are aware that something has truly disturbed and morphed Muirhouse’s character but for some reason the movie still lacked tension.
With a little seasoning this movie could have gone further. McDonald’s performance over all was not terrible and the backdrop could have developed into a bowel-loosening ghost flick. As mentioned, there are still moments of interest and if you dig your paranormal flicks then it might just be for you.
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