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An ambitious chef (Ariana DeBose) opens her first restaurant in a remote location and faces kitchen chaos, immense self-doubt, and a supernatural presence trying to sabotage her success at every turn. This is the simple, straightforward premise ofHouse of Spoils, written and directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy (Blow the Man Down), with DeBose as the main attraction. I consider DeBose (West Side Story) a versatile artist unafraid to take on roles in new genres, as her career has shown so far, so expectations were mostly positive.
House of SpoilsReview
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And it’s precisely DeBose thatHouse of Spoilsrelies on to stay engaging. There’s an intriguing character study at the heart of this film about self-esteem, confidence, and personal ability to overcome obstacles imposed by ourselves and others, as well as fighting against discriminatory norms and biases within certain industries. However, this is never fully developed due to constant diversions into the safer, formulaic paths of supernatural horror. Another story about a house haunted by a witch from the past isn’t particularly unique, and without technical creativity to craft immersive, suspenseful sequences, it quickly loses the audience’s attention.
House of Spoilstends to drag in places where momentum should be building. The tension between the supernatural forces and the protagonist’s internal struggles lacks the necessary escalation to keep the audience consistently on edge. Scenes that should carry emotional weight or deliver suspenseful thrills instead fall flat, leaving the viewer waiting for something more substantial to happen. The atmosphere is eerie enough, but the overall horror elements feel half-baked, never fully delivering the spine-chilling moments that genre enthusiasts might expect.
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On a more positive side, the overall space is utilized well, particularly within the claustrophobic confines of the kitchen and the isolated, almost haunting landscape surrounding the restaurant. Eric Lin’s (The Sound of Silence) cinematography complements the creepy tone, enhancing the sense of seclusion and pressure the nameless protagonist faces.
House of Spoilsoffers an extra layer of entertainment with its focus on gourmet cuisine, which will satisfy fans of cooking shows likeMasterChefand similar programs. With so many deliciously prepared and beautifully plated dishes, it’s hard not to feel hungry while watching – credit to Cole and Krudy for successfully conveying that feeling to the audience through their visuals. Throughout the movie, there’s a noticeable positive theme around a natural, plant-based diet and farm-to-table principles, but the narrative’s final moments somewhat contradict this message, leaving a bitter, confusing aftertaste.
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This incongruity sums upHouse of Spoilswell. The potential is plain to see, but when it comes time for more creative and narrative risk, the choice always falls on the safer decision. Is it wrong? No. There’s nothing wrong with playing it safe. But by following this route, the film needs other technical strengths or special characteristics to make the cliches and repetitive formulas less of an issue. DeBose gives it her all, as do the makeup and catering departments, but it’s not enough to make it all memorable.
It’s the typical case of a film that feels caught between genres — unsure if it wants to be a character-driven drama about personal growth and societal challenges or a supernatural horror about a haunted past. In trying to do both, it doesn’t quite excel in either. The end result is a movie with intriguing ideas and a strong central performance, but one that ultimately feels incomplete, as though it never fully commits to exploring its most interesting themes.
IsHouse of Spoilsworth watching?
House of Spoilstries to balance the tension of supernatural horror with the internal drama of a protagonist in a high-pressure culinary setting, but it never rises above the predictable. Ariana DeBose is clearly the highlight of this production, but the script and direction too often choose unambitious paths, limiting the emotional impact and originality of the narrative. The result is a movie with interesting thematic elements, but one that ultimately leaves the viewers hungry for more.
House of Spoilsreleases on Prime Video on October 3.
House of Spoils Review — A Tasty Premise Undercooked by Formulaic Horror
Manuel São Bento
Articles Published :70
Portuguese critic with a tremendous passion for cinema, television, and the art of filmmaking. An unbiased perspective from someone who has stopped watching trailers since 2017.✍️ Portfolio: https://linktr.ee/msbreviews🍅 Rotten Tomatoes approved🪪 OFCS, IFSC, OFTA
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