It tells the story of a chef who opens her first restaurant where she battles kitchen chaos, a dubious investor and self doubt, but the pressure heats up thanks to the spirit of the estate’s previous owner who threatens to sabotage her.
Pam says:
Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Kurds write and direct one of the creepiest and beautiful horror stories that will send shivers down your spine, make you jump, but most importantly make you smile as you understand the beauty from within the message.
Stories about chefs seem all the rage right now and “House of Spoils” fits right in with this trend, but in the same vein, it’s not a typical one. Ariana DeBose stars as Chef, a successful sous chef in NYC who takes a chance to move Upstate and create her own menu as the head chef.
Quitting her well-paying job with head chef Marcello (Marton Csokas), Chef (DeBose) leaves the safety of the city to embark upon a job in the country in Upstate New York. The place is a mess, but Feder (Soroosh Lavasani), who has sunk every nickel into this restaurant has no sympathy or patience for the state of the place, demands immediate excellence.
Chef, thanks to the oddness around her, just cannot deliver. She’s given one last chance, an ultimatum really, and she, along with Lucia (Barbie Ferreira), her sous chef, find hidden books and treasures in the garden along with some lore about the woman who once lived there. Could this be her saving grace or her ultimate demise?
“House of Spoils” takes its time in setting up the story. For the first half, we only get a few intermittent reminders that this is a horror story. We watch Chef delve into the old woman’s gardening and cooking diaries. She discovers the gems right in her back yard, creating delectably unique dishes. It’s dream-like, but a sprinkle of nightmare give us a glimpse into the previous chef’s demise and the coven of women who met at this home years ago.
“House of Spoils” is rich in story and with its storytelling technique. Carefully laying the foundation of the story is key and it is from this point that the story can and does go in many different directions, all of which add a richness to the finale. Using cinematic skills — and a little CGI — we are on this journey with Chef. We see what she sees, we question what’s real and what’s not, and we feel the emotional impact of it all.
To give much more away would be to do you, the reader, a disservice. But I will say that the story, ever so delicately, touches upon the difficulties of a glass ceiling and the patriarchal society in which we live. Equally as fine is the beauty with which Kurds and Cole approach nature and what she has to offer if only we take the time to look and appreciate her.
The messages are clear but not so overt as to take away from the total entertainment of the film. It’s that delicate balance that makes “House of Spoils” one of the most horrifyingly beautiful films in this genre.
Of course, you have to have a cast, and specifically a lead actress, that can carry this subtle story. De Bose is magical; possessing the strength, power, skill and nuance required to lead this story. And with an ending to savor long after the credits roll, you’ll be glad you took a chance on a horror film.
Reel Talk rating: 3½ stars
To read her review as it appeared in THE DAILY JOURNAL, go to: https://daily-journal.com/life/entertainment/reel-talk-house-of-spoils-a-creepy-but-beautiful-horror-story/article_e196b77e-80f8-11ef-a59d-1f2f6d399e9f.html
