Beware The Inheritance

The Curse of Hobbes House
Stars: Mhairi Calvey, Makenna Guylen, Kevin Leslie, Waleed Elgadi, Jo Price and Emma Spurgin Hussey
Director: Juliane Block
Scriptwriter: Wolf-Peter Arand from a story by Juliane Block
Cinematography: Marcus Schwemin
Blockbuster 
Rating: R for violence and profanity
Running Length: 85 Minutes 

It would not make a complete year unless there is a horror film to chill your bones. “The Curse of Hobbes House” does just that with a story of two sisters who have to learn to get along with each other, and inherited property that wants to take and not give. So, if someone wills you a cabin in the woods, think twice about accepting it. You never know. In this story, it is an entire estate that is inherited, which is a different matter, indeed. Director Juliane Block gives us the perspective of the undead from not only candlelight, but daylight. In fact, the credits even have a Zombie Trainer. Being undead, does not come naturally. 

The film begins with an elderly lady living in a mansion. There is a death and then a will has been left. Two sisters, Jane (Mhairi Calvey from “3 Lives”) and Jennifer (Makenna Guyler from “King of Crime”) react differently to the fact that they inherited an estate. What to do with the property and the unusual request within the will. The girls haven’t gotten along, and this gives them an opportunity to either get along, or that’s it. In the meantime, work to be done inside. The caretaker, Naser (Waleed Elgadi from “Mosul”) is under suspicion for being a friend to the deceased aunt. There is also Jennifer’s boyfriend, Nigel (Kevin Leslie from “13 Graves”) and he has a secret of his own. Needless to say, when night falls, it falls with purpose, as bodies begin to appear and from then on it is every person for themselves. Then, there is the death of someone associated with the group. This person doesn’t stay dead. This property would never sell on the open market, and thank goodness for candles and someone’s words, “when they come for you, run.” 

Mhairi Calvey’s character, Jane, is the one to take the lead in a situation. She shows determination in her facial pressions. Makenna Guyler’s “Jennifer”, is the opposite. She is just behind Jane, and always questioning what is going on, and later, with her boyfriend, Nigel, well played by Kevin Leslie.  He, by the way, bears a strong resemblance to actor Oliver Dench, from television’s “Pandora” series. Waleed Elgadi’s “Naser,” is the watchful, quiet one with knowledge in his eyes. Four against the world of the night. 

“The Curse of Hobbes House” is well photographed and puts the audience inside this old mansion with large glass windows and doors everywhere. How to defend yourself--- why are they here and who are they and is there an escape---are comments that come rapidly and make the night linger. The history of the house is protection, but from whom and why? Little by little, the audience is let into the background and it is not pretty. How to escape is inventive, but can it work? Weapons are whatever you can grab onto and transportation is anything that moves on wheels. 

The pace of the film is just right. In one room for remembrance and then onto another place for safety and then to another place to see what is going on outside and then someone says something irritating to someone else, and then there is suspicion and so on. Never a dull moment. The sisters start to bond and the actresses do this well and you begin to feel a warmth of character here, in spite of the surroundings. “The Curse of Hobbes House” might even lend itself to a sequel, who knows? 

Copyright 2020 Marie Asner