House Of Spoils American Movie Review

In the wake of the success of The Bear, kitchen dramas have found a new wave of popularity, but House of Spoils tries to up the ante by blending culinary chaos with a supernatural twist. Directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy, this Blumhouse production stars Academy Award-winner Ariana DeBose as a chef who must face both the pressure of a new restaurant venture and the haunting presence of a ghost. Unfortunately, despite its promising premise and talented cast, House of Spoils leaves much to be desired.

House of Spoils American Movie Review

House of Spoils American Movie Plot Summary:

The story follows an unnamed chef, played by Ariana DeBose, who leaves her high-profile position after seven years in a prestigious restaurant. Determined to strike out on her own, she partners with an investor, Andres (played by Arian Moayed), to open a destination restaurant in a remote, eerie mansion. However, things quickly spiral out of control when the mansion’s unsettling atmosphere and ghostly presence begin to torment her.

YouTube (Prime Video)

While juggling her new business, the chef is plagued by nightmares, creeping insects that invade her kitchen, and a growing sense of dread that her haunted new home is working against her. As she tries to assemble a team of chefs, led by Euphoria’s Barbie Ferreira, and establish a menu, she finds herself battling more than just her culinary challenges—she must also confront the malevolent spirit that haunts the mansion.

House of Spoils American Movie Cast:

Ariana DeBose as The Chef
Arian Moayed as Andres
Barbie Ferreira as Sous Chef
Jennifer Kim as Assistant Chef
Tom Pelphrey as Restaurant Critic
Mel Rodriguez as Mentor Chef

House of Spoils American Movie Review:

Despite a promising concept, House of Spoils stumbles in its execution. The film blends the tense atmosphere of a high-stakes kitchen with supernatural horror, but the balance between the two is never quite right. Writer-directors Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy play it too safe, opting for a predictable and straightforward narrative that doesn’t take full advantage of its unique setup.

The premise is intriguing—an ambitious chef haunted by the ghosts of her new venture—but the film fails to deliver the suspense and tension that such a story demands. The ghostly elements are underdeveloped, and the horror never fully materializes, leaving viewers with a mild sense of unease rather than true fear.

What Works:

Ariana DeBose’s Performance: DeBose shines in the role of the chef, bringing nuance and depth to her character. Her portrayal of a woman teetering on the edge of unraveling, caught between the pressures of her career and the supernatural events plaguing her, is one of the film’s strongest aspects.
Atmosphere: The film does a decent job of creating an unsettling atmosphere, particularly through its use of sound design and visuals. The creaking old mansion, the insect infestations, and the eerie quiet of the kitchen all contribute to a feeling of discomfort.

What Doesn’t Work:

Predictable Plot: The film’s biggest weakness is its predictability. The narrative unfolds in a linear, almost mechanical fashion, with little in the way of surprises or twists. The ghost story elements feel tacked on rather than fully integrated into the plot, making the horror aspect feel lackluster.
Lack of Depth: Despite touching on themes like consumer culture and the pressures of the culinary world, House of Spoils never fully commits to exploring them. Instead, it stays surface-level, missing opportunities to delve into the psychological aspects of the chef’s journey or the implications of the haunted mansion.
Underwhelming Climax: The film’s final act, which should have delivered a chilling conclusion, falls flat. The revelations about the ghost and the mansion are underwhelming, and the resolution feels rushed and unsatisfying, leaving the audience with a bad aftertaste.

House of Spoils American Movie Cast Performances:

Ariana DeBose: As the lead, DeBose carries the film on her shoulders, delivering a performance that is both strong and vulnerable. She convincingly portrays a chef on the brink of collapse, managing the high stakes of her career while grappling with her fear of the supernatural.
Arian Moayed: Moayed’s role as the investor Andres is underdeveloped. His performance is overshadowed by the character’s lack of depth, making it difficult for him to leave a lasting impact on the narrative.
Barbie Ferreira: Ferreira brings a solid presence as one of the young chefs, but like much of the cast, she is given little to work with. Her character is more of a background figure than a fully fleshed-out individual.

House of Spoils American Movie Technical Aspects:

Direction: Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy direct with an eye for atmosphere but fail to build the necessary tension to make House of Spoils a gripping horror film. The pacing is uneven, and the horror elements feel undercooked.
Cinematography: The film’s visuals are one of its strengths. The mansion’s eerie, decaying aesthetic is captured well, and the contrast between the pristine kitchen and the rotting, ghostly surroundings adds to the unsettling atmosphere.
Sound Design: The sound design is effectively used to enhance the sense of unease. Creaking floors, whispers in the dark, and the hum of kitchen equipment contribute to the film’s tension, even when the narrative fails to do so.

Verdict:

House of Spoils had the potential to be an exciting fusion of kitchen drama and supernatural horror, but it ultimately falls short of its ambitions. While Ariana DeBose delivers a strong performance, the film’s predictable plot and lack of depth prevent it from becoming a truly memorable entry in either genre. The atmosphere is there, but the scares are not, leaving viewers with a film that feels more like an appetizer than a full-course meal.

House of Spoils American Movie Director:

Bridget Savage Cole
Danielle Krudy

House of Spoils American Movie Writer:

Bridget Savage Cole
Danielle Krudy

House of Spoils American Movie Rating:

Rating: 2.5/5

Where to Watch House of Spoils American Movie:

House of Spoils is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

FAQs: (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is House of Spoils about?
House of Spoils follows an ambitious chef who leaves her prestigious job to open a restaurant in a haunted mansion, only to be tormented by supernatural forces as she struggles to get her new venture off the ground.
Who stars in House of Spoils?
The film stars Academy Award-winner Ariana DeBose in the lead role, alongside Arian Moayed, Barbie Ferreira, and Jennifer Kim.
Is House of Spoils scary?
While the film has some creepy moments, it falls short of delivering genuine scares. It leans more toward psychological discomfort than outright horror.
Where can I watch House of Spoils?
House of Spoils is available to stream on Prime Video.
Who directed House of Spoils?
The film was directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy.
Is House of Spoils worth watching?
If you enjoy kitchen dramas with a supernatural twist and are a fan of Ariana DeBose, you may find the film interesting. However, its predictable plot and lack of depth may leave some viewers unsatisfied.
What is the runtime of House of Spoils?
The film has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
How is Ariana DeBose’s performance in the film?
Ariana DeBose delivers a strong performance as the lead, showcasing her ability to portray vulnerability and determination, despite the limitations of the script.
Is House of Spoils based on a true story?
No, the film is not based on a true story. It is an original supernatural drama.
How does House of Spoils compare to other Blumhouse productions?
While House of Spoils carries Blumhouse’s signature blend of suspense and horror, it lacks the tension and scares that fans of the production house might expect.