His House
Horror film about South Sudanese refugees haunted by supernatural forces in English housing
The brief
Remi Weekes turns refugee trauma into genuinely terrifying horror without exploiting his characters' pain, anchored by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Wunmi Mosaku's raw, lived-in performances as a couple haunted by both supernatural forces and survivor's guilt. The scares hit hard because they're tied to real emotional stakes, and Weekes builds dread through creaky council house atmosphere rather than cheap jump scares. It's horror that actually has something to say about displacement and belonging, but never feels preachy or heavy-handed about it. Perfect for fans of The Babadook or Get Out who want their genre films to pack an emotional punch alongside the frights.
The verdict
If you want horror that earns its scares through genuine emotional weight and social commentary rather than cheap thrills, this is a powerful blend of supernatural terror and refugee drama anchored by outstanding performances. If you prefer straightforward screamers without heavy themes about trauma and displacement, the slower burn and serious subject matter might feel too weighty for a genre night.
Watch with
- 👤 Solo viewing for full emotional impact
- 👥 Horror fans who appreciate thoughtful scares
- ⚠️ Skip if sensitive to refugee/war themes
Heads up
- War violence and refugee trauma themes (moderate)
- Jump scares and supernatural horror imagery (moderate)
- Child endangerment in war flashbacks (brief)
- Grief and survivor's guilt themes (frequent)
Credits
- Director
- Remi Weekes
- Cast
- Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Wunmi Mosaku, Malaika Wakoli-Abigaba, Matt Smith, Javier Botet, Yvonne Campbell, Vivienne Soan
Official synopsis
After making a harrowing escape from war-torn South Sudan, a young refugee couple struggle to adjust to their
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Both explore refugee trauma and survival against historical atrocities.
Total runtime: 1h 33m + 2h 02m = 3h 35m
