Watch Beach House

"Beach House" is a 2018 film about a young couple, Emily and Randall, who retreat to a beach house on the coast of Massachusetts to escape their hectic lives and reconnect with each other. When they arrive, they discover unexpected guests already staying at the house - Jane, a former friend of Emily's mother, and her much younger partner, Paul. Initially awkward, the four quickly settle into an easy routine of meals, drinks, walks on the beach, and conversations about their respective lives and careers.

However, strange things start to happen around the beach house, from the sudden appearance of dead birds on the beach to odd behavior from Jane and Paul. As the tension between the housemates increases, Emily becomes convinced that there is something supernatural at work. Despite Randall's skepticism, she tries to unravel the mystery, uncovering long-buried secrets and uncovering a dark history that ties the house and its occupants together.

The film is a slow-burn horror movie, relying more on atmosphere and tension than overt scares or gore. The setting is beautiful but eerie, with the sound of crashing waves and creaking floorboards adding to the sense of unease. The performances from the four leads are strong, with a particular standout from Willa Fitzgerald as Emily, whose increasing paranoia and fear is palpable.

As the story progresses, the themes of loss, grief, and trauma come to the forefront. All of the characters are dealing with some form of emotional damage, from Emily's unresolved feelings about her mother's death to Jane's guilt over a past mistake. These themes are woven into the horror elements of the film, creating a unique and affecting experience.

Director and co-writer Jeffrey A. Brown demonstrates a deft hand, expertly ratcheting up the tension without resorting to cheap jump scares. The cinematography is beautiful, showcasing both the beauty and the isolation of the beach setting. The score by Roly Porter is haunting, perfectly complementing the mood of the film.

Overall, "Beach House" is a smart, stylish take on the haunted house genre, a film that will linger in the mind long after the credits have rolled. Its emphasis on character, atmosphere, and theme over easy scares makes it a refreshing addition to the horror landscape.

Beach House is a 2018 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0 and a MetaScore of 43.