Several weeks ago, as a "Svengoolie" alternate, David and I watched the 2025 horror thriller, "The Home." Now, I had heard in advance that Pete Davidson, of SNL, was making a horror film, and I thought, "You have got to be kidding." Well, I was surprised.
Davidson uses his quirkiness to give a genuinely serious performance in a way that makes the viewer take the film more seriously than might be merited.
He plays a troubled, rootless, and drug ridden young man, who is assigned work duty at his local nursing home--as they were called back in the day. This was actually an abandoned Catholic school or convent used as such, and shot in Denville, New Jersey. As a Jersey native, this film is not an endorsement for visiting the Garden State!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The first thing Davidson's character, Max, is told is to avoid the fourth floor. So, of course, his and the viewer's curiosity is aroused, and what he uncovers are a group of elderly people, presumably with Alzheimer's, and being catatonic. But wait, the other patients on the lower floors are lively, and vital. Is something going on? You better believe it!
I will not reveal what, as the whole thing is convoluted anyway. But let me say that the eye scene, as depicted in the poster, did not make me, facing cataract surgery in the future, any more comfortable about the prospect. In fact, it made it worse.
Some fine character actors, including John Glover and Jessica Hecht give more than their all to their roles in what is just a generic genre film. They, and some truly artistic and shocking atmosphere, set the film a bit apart from the rest.
No, darlings, it is not an artistic masterpiece, but who knew Pete Davidson could act seriously??????????????
He is the best surprise given to a film in many a long time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wait, what?? We don’t say “nursing home” any more?!!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the proper term; I can’t keep up!!!
Victoria, the saying is usually rehabilitation or retirement facility.
ReplyDelete