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Films about haunted houses and guests at the verge of madness are a dime a dozen. We've all seen it a thousand times, from classics like The Haunting or The Shining, to more modern fare like The Others and Session 9, or weaker efforts like Thirteen Ghosts. Some of them work, others not so much, others fall more on a weird middle-ground where you're not sure where to go with them. That is the case with David Koepp's latest psychological spookfest.
You Should Have Left follows Theo Conroy (Kevin Bacon), a retired banker that decides to take a break in a secluded rent-a-house in Wales. In for the ride are Theo's young wife, Susanna (Amanda Seyfried) and young daughter, Ella (Avery Essex). But as is expected, shortly after arriving, weird occurrences start happening around the house, lights turning on and off, shadows in the corners, doors in places where they shouldn't be.
As the film progresses, Theo finds himself more tormented by these incidents, while his relationship with Susanna starts to crumble because of the insecurity and paranoia, as well as the weight of past secrets. Despite what might seem like a tired premise, the setup is intriguing and there are some solid scares and eerie moments. Unfortunately, as is usual with this kind of films, it kinda crumbles as it falls victim to tropes and cliches while also trying to explain too much.
What keeps it afloat all the way are the performances. Both Seyfried and Essex are pretty good in their roles, but the weight of it all falls on Bacon, who effectively portrays a combination of genuine love for his daughter and the despair and desperation against all the things that are happening.
Overall, the film doesn't reach the levels of greatness one would want, but it's still a somewhat atmospheric entry to the subgenre that might be worth a watch on a slow night.
Grade:
YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT
(2020, Koepp)
A film with the word "Left" in its title
-- recommended by VHUS_Podcast --
(2020, Koepp)
A film with the word "Left" in its title
-- recommended by VHUS_Podcast --
"People have always stayed in that house. Some don't leave. The right ones usually find the place. Or perhaps it's the other way around. The place finds them."
Films about haunted houses and guests at the verge of madness are a dime a dozen. We've all seen it a thousand times, from classics like The Haunting or The Shining, to more modern fare like The Others and Session 9, or weaker efforts like Thirteen Ghosts. Some of them work, others not so much, others fall more on a weird middle-ground where you're not sure where to go with them. That is the case with David Koepp's latest psychological spookfest.
You Should Have Left follows Theo Conroy (Kevin Bacon), a retired banker that decides to take a break in a secluded rent-a-house in Wales. In for the ride are Theo's young wife, Susanna (Amanda Seyfried) and young daughter, Ella (Avery Essex). But as is expected, shortly after arriving, weird occurrences start happening around the house, lights turning on and off, shadows in the corners, doors in places where they shouldn't be.
As the film progresses, Theo finds himself more tormented by these incidents, while his relationship with Susanna starts to crumble because of the insecurity and paranoia, as well as the weight of past secrets. Despite what might seem like a tired premise, the setup is intriguing and there are some solid scares and eerie moments. Unfortunately, as is usual with this kind of films, it kinda crumbles as it falls victim to tropes and cliches while also trying to explain too much.
What keeps it afloat all the way are the performances. Both Seyfried and Essex are pretty good in their roles, but the weight of it all falls on Bacon, who effectively portrays a combination of genuine love for his daughter and the despair and desperation against all the things that are happening.
Overall, the film doesn't reach the levels of greatness one would want, but it's still a somewhat atmospheric entry to the subgenre that might be worth a watch on a slow night.
Grade: