The House with a Clock in its Walls (2018): Just For Kids?
It’s not all about head explosions and possession. Horror has much more to offer than just shock value, and that’s why many gems are suitable for children…though that’s not to say they don’t bring with them the occasional chill…
The House with a Clock in its Walls is a story by American author John Bellairs, first published in 1973 and the subject of much praise. It’s due the big screen treatment on September 21st starring Cate Blanchett, little Owen Vaccaro and the ever-theatrical Jack Black.
There is a lot of overlap between fantasy and horror – indeed the film is pegged as ‘gothic fantasy horror’ – but Bellairs focus was very much on the darker side of things – of trying to give readers that satisfying tingle no other genre can. One who has binged on the Saw series may be sceptical but less can often be more when it comes to spooks.
The premise is straight forward enough. When Lewis goes to live with his uncle Jonathan (Black) he accidentally wakes the dead. Cue lots of strange happenings in a fascinating house. Now why films like this can be more effective than your run-of-the-mill ‘jump scare’ trash is that they build an atmosphere, a sense of place, and so their more subtle brushes with the supernatural are more keenly felt.
We’re not talking about being genuinely scared which is a rare thing, but rather when a story sucks you in then cleverly threatens the reality you’ve become part of. That’s good story telling, not suddenly seeing a face leap out of the dark. Visual design, atmosphere, creepy performances – there are many ingredients to good horror and what can be seen of the trailer suggests it may tick most boxes.
Oh, and it’s one of those rare ones that doesn’t spoil everything.
