Our House 2018
Directed by
Anthony Scott Burns
Made by
IFC Midnight
Plot Summary
College student Ethan disappoints his family by leaving a family dinner early to focus on his project, ELI, an experimental device aimed at generating wireless electricity. Together with his girlfriend Hannah, they sneak into their university lab to turn on the machine, but chaos ensues as the device’s massive energy draw leads to a black-out across the campus.
The next day, tragedy strikes when Ethan learns that his parents, Richard and Lila, were involved in a fatal accident with a truck. Grief-stricken, Ethan returns home to support his younger brother Matt and little sister Becca in adjusting to their life without their parents.
Ethan resumes his work on the device in the garage, but as he operates it, strange and seemingly supernatural occurrences begin to unfold in their home. The siblings become convinced they are receiving messages from their deceased parents, especially when Becca starts communicating with an unseen entity she names Alice. This intensifies Ethan’s desire to keep the machine operational, leading him to ask Hannah for help in perfecting the device.
One evening, Ethan returns home to find Becca’s doll inexplicably levitating while she and Matt engage with an invisible presence. Despite his growing concerns, Ethan warns his siblings to keep the device and their experiences a secret. Their neighbor Tom, recently widowed and working for the DWP, offers his assistance to rewire the house, supplying more power for the project. Encouraged by Matt and Becca, Ethan becomes increasingly determined to strengthen the connection with the other side.
Matt invites his friend Dag over, but when Ethan activates the device, Dag has a terrifying encounter with a shadowy figure that sends him biking away in fear. Meanwhile, a menacing presence almost drowns Becca in the bathtub.
Tom confronts Ethan about the purpose of the device, revealing that it has caused him to encounter a ghost he believes to be his late wife Karen. As Ethan and Matt press Becca for more information about her imaginary friend Alice, she reveals troubling details about Alice’s past and a figure named Henry.
When Becca is lured by the ghost to a trunk and subsequently finds a hidden room in the basement, Ethan and Hannah rush back home only to discover that the device is missing. In a frantic search, Matt and Hannah separate, with Matt falling victim to the same dark entity that has taken Becca.
In a desperate bid to reconnect and assist Tom with his grief, Ethan engages in a physical confrontation for the return of the machine, ultimately persuading Tom that the spirit is not his wife and he must act to save Becca. Just as Tom relents, he is dragged away by the apparition.
As a sinister figure approaches Matt and Becca, Ethan destroys the device in a last-ditch effort, causing the entities to vanish. He helps Tom recover and ultimately reunites with his siblings and Hannah.
In the aftermath, Ethan, Matt, and Becca leave their haunted home behind, moving to a new place. However, even as Becca intentionally leaves her doll, it inexplicably appears again, tucked away in a moving box, hinting that their past may not be so easily escaped.
Timeline
Family Dinner Disappointment
College student Ethan leaves a family dinner early, causing disappointment among his family members. His focus is dedicated to a project he's been working on, aiming to create a revolutionary device called ELI, which generates wireless electricity.
Chaos in the Lab
Ethan and his girlfriend Hannah sneak into the university lab to activate the ELI device. The machine's massive energy draw unexpectedly leads to a blackout across the entire campus, creating chaos and panic among the students.
Tragic News
The day after the lab incident, Ethan receives devastating news that his parents, Richard and Lila, have died in a tragic accident involving a truck. Overcome with grief, Ethan returns home to support his two younger siblings, Matt and Becca, as they cope with their loss.
Communicating with the Beyond
As Ethan continues to work on the ELI device in the garage, strange and supernatural occurrences begin to affect their home. Ethan's younger sister, Becca, claims she is communicating with an unseen entity named Alice, which further fuels Ethan's determination to keep the device operational.
Levitation Incident
One evening, Ethan discovers Becca's doll mysteriously levitating while his siblings interact with an invisible entity. Uneasy but committed, Ethan warns them to keep the device and their experiences a secret from outsiders.
Tom's Offer
Their neighbor Tom, who is recently widowed, offers to help rewire the house to provide more power for Ethan's project. Inspired by this support from Matt and Becca, Ethan becomes increasingly fixated on exploring the connection to the other side.
Dag's Frightening Encounter
Matt invites his friend Dag over, but chaos unfolds when Ethan activates the device. Dag is confronted by a terrifying shadowy figure, prompting him to flee in panic, which adds to the tension in the household.
Becca's Near-Drowning
In a particularly harrowing moment, a menacing presence nearly drowns Becca in the bathtub, leaving Ethan shaken. This event intensifies the urgency to confront whatever force is haunting their family.
Tom's Ghostly Encounter
Tom confronts Ethan about the device's purpose, revealing it has caused him to encounter the ghost of his late wife, Karen. This revelation adds to the mounting tension, as Ethan and Matt push Becca to divulge more about her friendship with Alice.
Discovery of the Hidden Room
Becca is drawn to a trunk, which leads her to discover a hidden room in the basement. Ethan and Hannah rush home, only to find that their device is missing, igniting a frantic search throughout the house.
Matt's Disappearance
During the chaos of searching for the missing device, Matt encounters the same dark entity that has taken Becca. This leaves Ethan feeling helpless, as he realizes the stakes are even higher than he thought.
Confrontation with Tom
In a desperate attempt to save Becca and convince Tom to relinquish the device, Ethan engages in a physical fight. He implores Tom to realize that the spirit haunting them is not his deceased wife, but a malevolent force.
Destruction of the Device
As a sinister figure threatens to harm Matt and Becca, Ethan takes drastic action by destroying the device in hopes of banishing the apparitions. This act appears to bring an end to the eerie occurrences, reuniting Ethan with his siblings and Tom.
Moving Away
In the aftermath of these chaotic events, Ethan, Matt, and Becca decide to leave their haunted home behind. They prepare for a fresh start in a new place, hoping to escape the memories of their traumatic experiences.
A Haunting Reminder
Just when they think they can finally move on, Becca's beloved doll reappears, tucked away in a moving box. This eerie moment suggests that their past traumas may continue to linger, reminding them that some connections are not easily severed.
Characters
Ethan
Ethan is a determined college student who becomes consumed by grief following the tragic loss of his parents. His intellect drives him to work on a groundbreaking project, yet his obsession leads to unsettling supernatural events. As he navigates his sibling's trauma, Ethan must confront the consequences of his actions and ultimately make sacrifices to protect his family.
Matt
Matt is Ethan's younger brother, grappling with the sudden loss of their parents while providing support to his sister, Becca. His curiosity and bravery lead him into dangerous situations as he engages with the supernatural. Matt's character underscores the theme of sibling loyalty amidst grief, showcasing his desire to help his family cope.
Becca
Becca, the youngest sibling, represents innocence amidst tragedy. Her ability to communicate with what she believes is an unseen entity adds a layer of complexity to the family's grief. Through her interactions with 'Alice,' Becca's character reveals deep emotional layers and highlights the struggle of children coping with loss.
Richard
Richard, Ethan's father, is a loving figure whose sudden death leaves a profound impact on the family. His character is remembered rather than shown, adding weight to the siblings' mourning. The influence of his memory resonates throughout the film, driving Ethan's actions and motivations.
Lila
Lila, Ethan's mother, symbolizes warmth and nurturing in the family's past. Although her presence is felt through memories and ghostly manifestations, her nurturing spirit influences Ethan and his siblings as they navigate their loss. The emotional ties to her character deepen the family's struggle with grief.
Tom
Tom is a recently widowed neighbor who becomes entwined in the family's struggle with grief and the supernatural. His own experience with loss introduces a parallel narrative that enriches the theme of mourning. Tom's character also serves as a warning about the dangers of attempting to connect with the afterlife.
Setting
Time period
The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern challenges faced by college students, including academic pressures and the struggle with loss. Themes of grief and supernatural elements are intertwined with the exploration of new technology, resonating with today's societal issues.
Location
University, Family Home
The movie primarily takes place in a university lab, where experimental technology is explored, and in a family home, which becomes a site of supernatural occurrences. The home is both a sanctuary and a source of deep emotional grief for the characters, becoming a character in its own right as it harbors the memories and spirits of the deceased parents.
Themes
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Grief
The theme of grief is central to the story, explored through Ethan's struggle after the tragic loss of his parents. It affects his relationships with his siblings and drives his obsession with the experimental device, as he seeks to connect with the deceased. The impact of grief also manifests in the supernatural occurrences within their home, further complicating their emotional journey.
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Technology
Technology plays a pivotal role in driving the plot, with Ethan's innovative device symbolizing both hope and chaos. The exploration of wireless electricity reflects a modern eagerness to push boundaries, but its unintended consequences illustrate the dangers of human experimentation. The device serves as a catalyst for the supernatural events, intertwining technological ambition with spiritual themes.
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Supernatural
The supernatural elements are woven throughout the narrative, as Ethan and his siblings encounter visions and messages from their deceased parents. Ghostly appearances and unexplained phenomena create a sense of suspense and mystery, highlighting the contrast between the living and the unseen. This theme challenges the characters to confront their fears and unresolved grief.
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