The Deep House (2021)
Seeking out supposedly haunted houses seems like fun until things take a turn for the worst. At that point, the chances of making it out alive are pretty slim. All the more reason to not pay a visit, but when you have a couple who has a thing for urban exploration, you can bet they won't refuse. If anything, they'll take advantage of the opportunity without hesitation. That's one thing that comes to mind after seeing Ben and Tina take a deep dive, which I'm sure they'd regret if they lived to tell about their experience. I kind of wish they did, though I imagine they would need years of therapy to help them cope, so there's that. There's also the fact that the house isn't welcoming of visitors, in which case I'm curious as to how many people have risked their lives by visiting it. Maybe that's not important since it's never mentioned, but I'm not gonna dwell on it; instead, I'll just say that I was along for the journey the whole time.
The idea of a house being underwater is refreshing. That isn't to say that the tried and true haunted houses on land formula has lost its appeal, but I think factors such as air and the hindered movement that comes with being underwater add a lot with very little, which I can appreciate. Ben and Tina aren't unfamiliar with diving, but on the other hand, they face situations that put them to the test. The bit with the chains, for instance, stands out due to the fact that Tina is slowed down by the water. It's simple but effective, and it shows that the house is using the explorers' handicaps to its advantage. It's a nice touch. There's also a sequence in which Tina is chased by Monsieur Montégnac, which again stands out because of hindered mobility.
Although Ben and Tina are YouTubers, that's hardly a factor. I wouldn't have minded if there was a scene or two featuring viewer reactions, but at the same time, I'm glad there wasn't because I'm on the fence if viewer reactions would've made sense in light of the tone. There aren't any funny or lighthearted moments; in fact, the tone is consistently grim. There's no doubt in my mind that emojis up the wazoo would've distracted from that.
I'm thinking of the moment towards the end where Ben tells Tina that the Montégnacs know their fears. While I don't doubt that that's true, it almost comes off as a last minute addition to establish the family's motives. It's not expanded on nor is it alluded to beforehand, which is odd. Nonetheless, the Montégnacs' backstory helps to fill in the blanks without feeling unnecessary. I can appreciate that. I can also appreciate the fact that details such as the missing photos of children and the satanic symbols that Ben and Tina discover complement the backstory.
I enjoyed The Deep House, and I was into it from beginning to end, so I'm glad I watched it. I think you will be too as long as you don't come across a house that's been underwater for God knows how long. In that case, I wouldn't suggest sticking around.
