Don't Leave Home (2018) User Reviews

Don't Leave Home: Mysterious, brooding, fascinating, bit crap

[Platypuschow · 4/10 · 29 September 2018]

Don't Leave Home is a US made feature horror set in Ireland on a 400yr old estate.

It tells the story of an artist who is commisioned to make a piece for a disgraced priest. She must travel from the US to Ireland, live with them while making the artwork and remain for the auction.

But in traditional horror form things don't go to plan and before she knows it she is subject to weird supernatural activities.

The movie is very atmospheric and throughout I was both fascinated and bored to tears. It's nothing we haven't seen before, but the slow plodding pace didn't seem to be offering anything or suggesting it was going anywhere.

When the finale comes, it delivers but leaves you with far too many questions and therefore when the credits rolled I felt rather unsatisfied.

Don't Leave Home certainly has some good ideas and a solid concept, but an additional 15-30 minutes to pad it out and fully explain just what in the blue hell was going on would have been appreciated.

The Good:

Very atmospheric

Some good ideas

The Bad:

Very slow paced

Too much left to the imagination

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

Heaven is a marsh

Never trust a priest (In movies or real life)

Dark mystery, not horror

[theroscoevine · 6/10 · 12 May 2020]

This one's a dark mystery of a child disappearance in rural Ireland, but with a visiting American as the lead. It's beautifully shot, with lots of awesome scenery and a wonderful, creepy setting. It's well written, well acted and with a fairly likable lead. No kills, no gore, no sex, no nudity, probably not even any swearing, and it's only somewhat disturbing, but with some very haunting and effective scenes and what I felt was a great ending. There is some extremely brief comic relief in the form of a very creepy, silent, Lurch-looking butler. I recommend it, but it's absolutely a slow one with no kind of action, so just be prepared for an atmospheric mind bender that may be hard to understand and will absolutely confound a great many people who watch it.

Dark obsession

[TheLittleSongbird · 4/10 · 23 October 2018]

Actually wanted to like 'Don't Leave Home', and yes there was the intention to judge the film for myself after watching it and even more intention to judge it fairly. Both have always been the case with me when it comes to reviewing a film. The idea was attention-grabbing and it didn't look too bad, so there was potential.

Potential that was not lived up to very well at all. 'Don't Leave Home' was not a waste of time but it is a long way from a must watch from personal opinion. Didn't regret watching it and didn't find that my intelligence was insulted, something that cannot be said for some other films seen recently, it just didn't compel let alone unsettle me which is a primary factor as to why 'Don't Leave Home' as an overall film doesn't work.

Lets start with the good things. 'Don't Leave Home' started off very well, it does draw one right in, sets things up promisingly and has an eerie vibe. It's a decent looking film, with the setting giving off the right amount of unease and the photography has atmosphere. The music is haunting and not too obvious or intrusive.

Generally the acting was better than average, very good actually with the three leads. Nobody over-compensates and nobody looks uncomfortable or robotic.

However, while the characters don't annoy or there could have been much more development to them. The script is an overload of cheese and awkwardness and the direction is at best lethargic.

'Don't Leave Home's' biggest issue is the story. There is very little tension, suspense or dread, with the scares infrequent and being going-through-the-motions-like and obvious when they appear. It is dull too often despite starting off so well and is very predictable from the excessive over-familiarity of a lot of scenes, while it becomes increasingly far-fetched and confused. Not enough is explained properly either, too much is left vague and leaves one scratching their heads.

Not a waste of time but doesn't scare or compel enough. 4/10 Bethany Cox

A slow burner that doesn't deserve all the hate

[Louis_Bacon · 2 November 2018]

While movies like Hereditary and It Follows get praise for being slow eerie movies, this movie takes it to an international level by creating a creepy story around an Irish urban legend, which is terrifyingly realistic.

The Celtic setting of the movie creates an unbelievably uncomfortable atmosphere which transcends in the incredible soundtrack. The directing is over average, but I do agree it's nothing less than cheesy at some points. But the clever 70's style of certain shots does the job of bringing us back into this eerie world.

The acting is also very good, especially for an indie. It's hard to know who you can trust and it's great to see a main actress that doesn't sound or look like the dumb little damsel in distress.

Overall, it's a movie that comes very close to being a classic, maybe only taken back from the fact that it lacks true novelty and, without being predictable, doesn't bring anything new to the table. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves slow burners with a spiritual background that doesn't try too hard to be its own thing and just lets things flow, making for a realistic, downright creepy story.

Betwixt and Between

[mafiachk · 5/10 · 1 November 2018]

Film was interesting and had a dream like quality. It also got me thinking. I believe there is more here and meets the eye. First of all our artists finds a covered spring / well near the grotto. There are many such wells in Ireland that the Celts believed belonged to a specific god or goddess. They possessed healing properties and other mystic powers. With the coming of Christianity lots of these were converted to a specific saint.

The hooded figure in her dreams. Again Celts had a hooded figure in their folklore. Was she sent to heaven or faerie. I'm going with faerie. Typically folklore states those who enter - return the same age - years later. Time is different in faerie.

What is the priest? Is he a guardian, trickster or some Tam Linish figure? Is the older lady the Faerie Queen telling the artist not to listen to him? What species of tree? That depends on the folklore too. Clearly the film could have been explained a bit better especially for those not familiar with folklore.

Promising Idea, But Lacks Momentum To Be Great

[ryan_sy · 5/10 · 22 August 2020]

I thought this movie had a lot of potential- good acting, great photography, and a promising storyline, however, the dialogue, score, and pacing were too low energy for me to stay fully engaged. Also, I expected more intensity and tension that this movie could have desperately used.

I dont mind a slow-burn movie, but the ending has to make it worth the wait. This fell a bit short.

[5/10]

It had promise

[namstonk · 2/10 · 21 September 2018]

What a shame, some good acting and pleasant enough cinematography. However, nothing happens, it tries to use brooding atmosphere to grip the viewer without giving the actual viewer a reason to care. There is no substance to the story, we don't find out any answers or the obvious 'why', your final words to yourself will be 'oh, that's it'. I knew I should have gone for a pint instead.

Better than described.

[caleb1868 · 7/10 · 24 April 2019]

After reading other reviews I was ready for a slow burn, atmospheric, movie set in Ireland. While the pace was slow, it never stalled. There are no jump scares. This is a thinking persons movie. I enjoyed it very much. The ending was perfect. If you want something grizzly and fast paced, there are plenty of those out there. This movie required a little thought and patience. The plot stayed true and maintained credibility.

It could have been much better

[mjsreg · 5/10 · 27 September 2018]

The concept is a good one but it lacked detail in the presentation.

The actors were excellent, presenting believable well-rounded characters, and technical aspects of the film were well executed.

But this film lacks anything really memorable or intense enough to invoke any feeling about it. A series of events happen - some making no sense - the end.

There really isn't much drama in the film let alone any suspense or anticipation, and that is where (I think) the problem is. It lacks intensity to accompany the fine characters.

Events that do happen are not really explored or exploited to being drama to the story. Some of them happen with no lead in or lead out as to why they happen.

One excellent point is that at least they had what looked like proper tea brewed instead of the yellow insipid muck film makers often try to pass off for the beverage.

It's not a bad film, and it is watchable. You just won't take much away from it.

A slow burn with an intriguing conclusion

[rivertam26 · 7/10 · 24 March 2020]

This is really an intriguing little horror gem. It centers on an artist from America who creates a series of sculptures based on famous missing person cases. One of them spotlights a priest whom painted a portrait of a young girl who ended up disappearing both from her home and the picture. The priest contracts her with the promise to buy her piece inspired by him, commission a new work and have all her pieces sold to wealthy investors at a private auction. Upon arriving strange things begin to happen including strange dreams and weird happenings that lead her to believe the offer isn't genuine and something more sinister is afoot. It all leads up to a shocking and unexpected conclusion. It's definitely a religious horror film but plays like a strange Lynchian thriller. It's not perfect the pacing is a struggle at times but it has an engaging, dread induced atmosphere that feels otherworldly at times.

3.5/5

Felt like a long episode of Are You Afraid Of The Dark

[Howling_at_the_Moon_Reviews · 4/10 · 24 March 2023]

This was not a bad movie by any means but I think it greatly suffered from being underdeveloped...

It just didn't feel like there was enough meat to the story. I think they either needed to beef it up or make it a short. The foundation of the plot was a solid idea but the execution left it a little undercooked and a tad confusing.... And along with that came poor pacing. This is most certainly a slow burn that unfortunately lacked atmosphere or intrigue to sustain it.

The acting all around was good. Main three characters did an excellent job. One thing I really disliked about this movie was the music.... Like, a lot. It felt like the score to a cheesy 90s made for tv movie. It was silly, repetitive and distracting.

All in all it was moderately entertaining just a bit lack luster. I suppose I would recommend... indifferently.

It depends what you're looking for

[alexfiles · 8/10 · 19 December 2019]

If you're into fairy tales and suspense and Celtic mythology, but not into gore or action for the sake of action, this is a good movie. It's what you might find if a fairy tale or a curse involving the Good People found a way of persisting into the modern world. The horror lies in the concept, not in visual gore or a scream fest. If that's what you like, this movie is for you! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

For a low budget, a good end result.

[beauty_model · 7/10 · 16 September 2018]

This movie will reward you if stick to the end. After being spoiled by Hereditary and the creeptastic dioramas that centered heavily, I was distracted by DLM's dioramas. Is this a thing now? I didn't know there was a big global market for sad little homemade arts and crafts like this. Ten year old me would've been shook and impressed by this movie. But grown up me kept tutting and eye-rolling through most of the movie. Thankfully the payoff was good. But that doesn't mean it will mean anything if you fast forward to it. This is a good movie to view on a rainy cool autumn evening while alone. Will make it spookier and create more of an impact. I would say my only real quibble is that 1. don't pretend you're (briefly) in America when you're already filming in Ireland. Easy to tell the difference 2. the lead actress was too flat and muted. Plus there was no real background, so it was hard to care about her fate. Otherwise, a decent offering.

A good short story stretched x10

[kuarinofu · 5/10 · 28 April 2019]

This could've been a good short for a horror compendium like V/H/S or Southbound. Instead they stretched it out while not filling the gaps with anything interesting, some characters had no development at all, and the mechanics of this mystery are left unclear.

It had some good looks and views, some good and some bad acting, the story was comprehensible, but the ending, while being predictable, still feels a little confusing on why it worked like it did. Overall, this still isn't a good watch even for the fans of small horror/mystery.

An interesting premise but ruined with the much-too-slow pace and an underdeveloped script.

[fedor8 · 8 September 2020]

A rather original premise, but the movie has three problems:

1. The direction isn't stylish enough. In the hands of a more creative director this could have worked.

2. The pace is too slow, the first half isn't very interesting. A lot of is haunted house cliches, nonsensical scenes.

3. The story is too muddled. So many questions.

Why does the American not meet any of the other abductees? She only meets the first one, the girl, yet there were at least 20 envelopes i.e. that many disappeared people.

What does the old hag have to gain? Is it just the money? If the priest is so guilt-ridden why did he not rebel years earlier? Why now? If he felt guilty already about the first girl - which unintentionally disappeared - then why would he actually CONTINUE doing this? How did this man even get entangled in such a satanic plot? Nobody seems to be forcing him to. There seems to be a major discrepancy between his personality and what he's doing. A remorseful "serial-disappearer"? Sure, why not.

Why did they invite a female artist all the way from America? The little missing girl from 1986 was NOT an artist, so why the hell do the priest and the old hag need an artist? Do they always lull just artists? Can't they just put out an add searching for an artist's model? Can't they just pick up hitch-hikers like other serial-killers do? Are we actually supposed to believe that ALL the disappeared people left home without telling anyone where they'd gone to? NONE of them mentioned the mansion to anyone prior to leaving? Very convenient - for the writer I mean.

Who the hell answers a phone call without a listed number then believes everything the mystery person says? The American seems way too naive, stupid even. She travels all the way from America without even telling anyone she'd gone to Ireland! Some aspects of this conspiracy are very far-fetched, and seem reliant on luck more than cunning.

The "other world" seems rather unspectacular, it's just Ireland minus the houses and buildings. Underwhelming, but that's mainly the director's fault who actually thought he could get away with such a mundane netherworld. The American just strolls through this world and we're supposed to be mesmerized? The direction isn't stylish enough to fascinate. The female lead is bland and uninteresting.

But at least it's not mono-colour. Not ugly as most modern horror films are.

There's no place like home

[nogodnomasters · 5/10 · 4 October 2018]

In 1986 Father Alister Burke (Lalor Roddy) paints a picture of young Siobhan Callahan in front of an old statue of the Virgin Mary (broken left hand, thumb missing on right). Overnight, Siobhan disappears in real life and from the painting. Pretty good Twilight Zone stuff. We then move to the present where diorama sculpturer Melanie Thomas has recreated the event. This leads to an invite by Father Burke, retired and a recluse except for his Lurch-like butler and Helena Bereen who runs the manor. Melanie is commissioned to make another diorama for a select group of old money buyers.

Melanie has bad dreams and visions and we see it coming. There wasn't any mystery or twist. The film moves slow. The characters were okay, but not great. Seems like someone found a great location to make a film and wrote a story for it.

Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity.

Utter Rubbish

[tohkwongweng · 1/10 · 11 March 2019]

How does this movie classify under the horror genre? Zero scares, violence, gore and everything that makes a great scary movie was nowhere to be seen. An exceptionally dull, boring and nonsensical film that made me want to flush my head down the toilet at the end. As is typical of movie critics they haven't the slightest clue what they are talking about when rating horror movies. All horror fans give this one the widest possible berth. This movie is really deserving of a WTF response. 0.1/10

Good premise executed poorly

[beckyb219 · 4/10 · 12 January 2020]

"Don't Leave Home" starts and ends well. Everything in between is a painfully boring mess. This story probably would've worked as a half hour Twilight Zone episode.

An atmospheric little film that stumbles on the finish line (no spoilers)

[anton_carlsson · 7/10 · 6 July 2021]

The film has pretty much everything a spooky little film needs. Atmosphere, a mystery and wierd/creepy characters. But it didn't make it the whole way through.

The ending lost a lot of the qualities it had. "Don't leave home" might have been a solid 8 at least for the target audience but with the last act it's no more than a 7.

What the....?

[Lovelylolly87 · 2/10 · 6 October 2018]

I can only conclude that there was no point to this film whatsoever.Other reviews have spoken about the characters being well rounded, i didn't experience this. I felt the characters were devoid of personality or form.There was no plot at all, no story to follow. I can accept a film being a slow burner if it is worth it in the end. Trust me, that isn't the case here.

I'm full of wonder...

[jbmflutist · 6/10 · 26 December 2022]

I wonder who write this? I wonder why they chose the actors they did? I wonder much...

This story could have been told with more umpfff! A wonderful story! But I was totally bored with everything! I kept watching, all though I don't know how! It has left me with erie thoughts and ill affects! There could have been more!

The main actress was horrible with her rude ways when answering Basic questions! Never asks how each of the people that brought her to Ireland. She acted like she was floating around with ridiculous low key action! I'm sure who directed this movie told her to be mundane!

The premise of the whole movie was really interesting but just not driven, or punched with enough effort to make one feel real about something!! Redo this story with sub plots and extended ending ( show all those sad humans that disappeared) with new actors and a new director! I can see M. Night directing this!

Is that Mystery?maybe. Horror? No!

[lukkomarewicz · 3/10 · 16 August 2019]

It all started from an interesting point in that whole story but after all it turned into a boring, not well-thought storyline and what's the worst - I can't name a genre of this movie as a horror but just as a mediocre mystery movie with fantasy/religious elements. In comparison to great horrors like "The Hereditary" this one just barely handles as horror genre.

Loved it

[eliannewallenius · 9/10 · 22 September 2018]

I think this movie have gotten so much unfair criticism! I think if you feel the movie didn't make sense then you have not paid any attention! It had a great plot and it was only a bit slow for the first 20 minutes but in the end it all made sense! (If you don't follow carefully in the beginning you won't understand the end I guess!) It was full of surprises and twists! I also couldn't predict the end which I loved! I would def recommend this movie!

Worth a watch

[helenkolby-40950 · 6/10 · 6 June 2021]

I wouldn't rave about this movie, but I'm not disappointed that I took the time watching it.

A slow burn, but not so slow you lose interest and get distracted.

I will say a unique storyline that I was eager to see through.

It's okay

[saphira_dragon-80270 · 5/10 · 25 November 2019]

My pre wife stopped watching about midway through but I persisted. It's not a bad movie. It's fine. Little confusing. Kinda creepy vibes. If you're running low on movies then go ahead it's not too bad it's fine