House of Spoils Christian Review

It’s always frustrating to sit through a movie that can’t seem to figure out what it wants to be. House of Spoils is exactly that. A movie that juggles genres and themes but never really commits to any of them, which, as you can imagine, leaves viewers not entirely satisfied with the experience. There’s a strange mash-up happening here—a character study, a mystery, and horror all trying to live under the same roof. If that sounds intriguing, well, it is. But only on paper. In execution? Not so much.

As a Christian viewer, I often hope movies will offer something beyond the surface, something that can stir up meaningful reflection. But with House of Spoils, the takeaway is murky. There’s a lot going on, yet none of it feels like it’s going anywhere important.

Horror, Mystery, and a Character Study Walk Into a Room…

Genre-blending in film can work wonders when done right. It can push boundaries, make you think, and even surprise you. But House of Spoils? It’s like cooking a meal where none of the ingredients quite come together. The film is a little horror here, a little mystery there, with some character drama sprinkled on top. Individually, those components could’ve worked, but together, they don’t form a cohesive dish. It’s as if the movie is trying too hard to be everything at once and, in doing so, ends up being not enough of anything.

For horror fans expecting a Blumhouse scare-fest, this one is a bit of a letdown. Blumhouse, which made its name with low-budget but genuinely terrifying horror films, is starting to lose that edge. It’s becoming a brand that now signifies more formula than fear. This film, for example, doesn’t lean fully into its horror elements. Sure, there are some “boo” moments scattered throughout, but they feel like they’ve been tacked on, almost out of obligation, rather than organically growing from the story. If you’re looking for a film to give you nightmares or to shake your soul, this one is unlikely to deliver.

Depth or Lack Thereof

Here’s the thing: horror doesn’t need to be shallow. In fact, some of the best horror films dig deep into the human psyche, exploring themes like sin, guilt, redemption, and fear of the unknown—all very Christian concepts. Think about The Exorcist, which wrestles with good and evil in a way that leaves you thinking long after the credits roll. But House of Spoils? It doesn’t have that kind of depth. It’s all surface-level tension and jump scares, with no real exploration of anything meaningful.

There’s potential in horror to tackle tough questions. Horror can be a mirror that reflects the darker parts of our world or our own hearts. But this movie doesn’t really aim for that. It’s neither here nor there—it’s too light to be a deep character study and too restrained to be a full-blown horror film. It’s a little stuck in no man’s land, not wanting to commit to any one thing.

As a Christian, I often wonder what the takeaway from a horror film is. Does it make us reflect on the brokenness of the world or our own hearts? Does it shine a light on the eternal struggle between good and evil? Does it make us think about how we live our lives? Unfortunately, with House of Spoils, the answer is no. And that’s where it loses points. There’s nothing really profound here, nothing to chew on after the movie ends. It’s just… there. Watching it feels like flipping through a magazine you’ve read a hundred times before. Sure, it’s passable entertainment, but does it challenge or provoke? Not really.

Familiar, Too Familiar

Clichés can be comforting sometimes, but when they’re overused, they become tiresome. That’s another problem this film faces—it’s built on tropes we’ve seen a million times. The mysterious stranger, the haunted location, the troubled protagonist—these are all things that have been done better in countless other movies. The storytelling devices are worn out, and the film doesn’t try to breathe new life into them. Instead, it falls back on the familiar, and as a result, it feels uninspired.

There’s nothing wrong with using familiar tropes, but House of Spoils doesn’t offer anything fresh. It’s not pushing any boundaries or trying to reframe old ideas in new ways. And that’s a missed opportunity. In a world where consume media constantly, a film has to either offer something deeply resonant or boldly different to stand out. Unfortunately, House of Spoils does neither. Instead, it feels like it’s recycling parts of better stories without adding its own unique spin. And if there’s one thing I’ve come to expect from any form of art, it’s that it should strive to engage us in some new or interesting way.

From a Christian perspective, there’s a certain weight to storytelling that gets lost when movies simply tread familiar ground. We believe in stories that change people, that challenge assumptions, that bring truth to the surface. But with this film, it’s just one predictable event after another. The result is something that doesn’t feel worth the time you spend watching it. And as Christians, when we choose to engage with media, we should aim for stories that offer something more substantial.

Too Serious to Be Fun, Too Silly to Be Scary

Another strange thing about House of Spoils is its tone. It’s stuck somewhere in between trying to be serious and going full-on B-movie camp. That’s a tough line to walk, and this film doesn’t manage it well. On the one hand, it’s too straight-faced to embrace the wild, over-the-top absurdity that can make B-movies fun. On the other hand, it’s too ridiculous to actually be scary. Horror thrives when it leans into one direction or the other—either going all-in on tension and dread or embracing the chaos of the genre’s more outrageous possibilities. This movie doesn’t do either, and that leaves it in a weird limbo.

When horror takes itself too seriously without giving us anything to truly fear, it becomes a slog. And when it tries to be fun but doesn’t commit, it falls flat. This film is trying to be too many things to too many people, and as a result, it pleases no one. You can’t help but feel like the filmmakers were afraid to take risks. Instead of crafting something bold or distinctive, they played it safe, and the movie suffers for it.

Jason Blum’s Potential Wasted?

Now, here’s a frustrating point. Jason Blum has proven himself to be a savvy force in the film industry. His work at Blumhouse has given us some genuinely great horror films, films that pushed boundaries, explored new territory, and created real tension. But here, it feels like he’s holding back or, at the very least, letting something mediocre slip through the cracks. It’s almost like he’s not trusting his team to make something daring.

In this case, House of Spoils needed someone willing to push the limits, to take this odd mixture of ideas and genres and turn it into something sharp and memorable. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen. Instead, it feels like another cog in the Blumhouse machine—a film that’s serviceable but ultimately forgettable.

What Could Have Been

It’s always frustrating to think about what a film could have been, especially when the raw materials are there. A character study of someone unraveling? A creepy mystery with some truly unnerving moments? Horror that leaves you questioning reality and your place in the world? All of those are possible, but none of them are realized. And that’s where House of Spoils ultimately falls apart. It’s just… not enough. Not enough character depth to pull you in. Not enough horror to make you uncomfortable. Not enough mystery to keep you guessing. It exists in a strange, forgettable middle ground.

Final Thoughts: Not Quite Filling

House of Spoils leaves you a little hungry, which is ironic given its title. As someone who approaches films from a Christian perspective, I want movies that stir something in the soul, that challenge me to think, to feel, or to reflect on deeper truths. But this film is too bland for that. It’s the kind of movie you watch once and then forget about by the next day.

In the end, I give it a 5 out of 10. It’s not a terrible movie, just an unremarkable one. It plays it too safe, doesn’t lean into any of its potential strengths, and ends up feeling like it’s going through the motions. There’s nothing here that’s going to leave you spiritually stirred or emotionally haunted. It’s a snack when you were hoping for a full meal, and it leaves you wanting something with more substance, more originality, and more heart.