Pigeon Shrine FrightFest has kicked off its yearly Halloween edition this evening. Writer and director Samuel Clemens had the prestige of opening the two-day event with his debut feature, The Waterhouse. The plot joins three men who arrive at a secluded safe house by the sea after stealing a priceless painting. Awaiting the arrival of their fourth accomplice, the group begins to split apart. Then three alluring young women arrive from out of nowhere and events start to heat up..
At just over eighty minutes, The Waterhouse takes its time in getting going. Much of the opening fifteen minutes is near silent set-up, establishing the isolated location and the men that have journeyed there. It is only when the women arrive that things get exciting. A battle for gender supremacy begins and watching the dynamic unfold is thoroughly entertaining. The bulk of the middle portion is told through a game of two truths and a lie. It’s a well-worn trope, but rather than used to generate the usual tension, here it is utilised to draw battle lines. The scenario isn’t the usual friends messing around and causing friction, and is instead used as an icebreaker between the men and women.
From a technical standpoint, The Waterhouse has great style. The location is beautiful and Clemens makes it feel as though the structure is the last dwelling on Earth. The rest of the world falls away and the focus is entirely on these six characters. There is some superb water photography and a couple of surprising set pieces towards the end. Where The Waterhouse excels however, is within its score and soundtrack. As the men survey the land, choral haunting notes are sung, which continue throughout the film, creating both an eerie atmosphere and lulling the audience into a trance, not too dissimilar to what the characters on screen experience.
The Waterhouse gets more interesting as it progresses. Whilst the opening might be too slow for some, the middle act builds momentum and sets the scene for the final act. Here truths are revealed about both sides, and despite it being quite obvious where it is headed, The Waterhouse keeps the viewer present for the duration.
The Waterhouse
Summary
The Waterhouse kicks off FrightFest’s Halloween festivities well. Its story may be a tad predictable, the journey however, has a couple of good surprises along the way.
The Waterhouse was reviewed at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Halloween 2023.
