Director: Sebastian Godwin

Writer: Sebastian Godwin

Starring: Aisling Loftus, Tom Goodman-Hill, Hattie Gotobed, Raffiella Chapman, Lukas Rolfe

Rating: ★★★½

Screening at Glasgow Frightfest before a wider release in April, Homebound is a small and intense horror film that’s filled with a creepy atmosphere and a sense of isolation. Written and directed by Sebastian Godwin, the film follows Richard (Tom Goodman-Hill) and Holly (Aisling Loftus) who travel out to the countryside to spend time with Richard’s three children. Richard is estranged from his children and is hoping to reconnect and introduce them to his new wife, their step-mum. Richard’s ex-wife Nina is no where to be found when they reach the house, with only a text to say that Richard can stay as long as he wants, and the kids will be okay by themselves until she returns.

The story starts out natural enough, with the authentic tension of meeting new family for the first time. You can really feel the anxiety Holly is feeling as she arrives at the house and first meets her new stepchildren. The high-pitched ‘hello’, says everything you need to know. It doesn’t take long for the film to start to reveal its secrets and get a bit sinister.

It’s clear straight away that the two elder children, Lucia (Hattie Gotobed) and Ralph (Lukas Rolfe), don’t like Holly. There’s also the resentment to their father who they feel abandoned them. The tension build further as the story unfolds, showing that this isn’t the typical family meeting, especially as the children seem to enjoy catching and killing a goose for lunch.

It does take a relatively long time for things to really get going, considering this film is just over an hour-long minus credits. It’s all needed though to set the scene and put the pieces in place so when the horror really kicks into gear it all works. The final act is excellent, and it only works because the film puts so much effort into setting an unsettling and chilling atmosphere.

Homebound is an unsettling film that perfectly builds up an eerie atmosphere in what could be just a normal visit to meet family. It perfectly walks the line where you’re not sure it’s just the anxiety of the situation or that something is very wrong, and it’ll have you figuring it out all the way up to the stunning final moments.

Blue Finch Film Releasing presents Homebound in cinemas 1 April and on digital 4 April 

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