The Home (2025) - Film Review

      The Home, 2025.

      Directed by James DeMonaco.

      Starring Pete Davidson, Bruce Altman, Marilee Talkington, John Glover, Matthew Miniero, Jagger Nelson, Jimmy Gary Jr., Ethan Phillips, David Moreland, Nathalie Schmidt, Linder Sutton, and Daphne Rey.

      SYNOPSIS:

      The film centers on Max, who discovers that the residents and staff at the retirement home he begins working in harbor dark secrets. Casting stoner comedian Pete Davidson in a horror film proves to be an inspired choice that pays off in The Home. Max, who is tattooed with “thicker than blood,” has led a troubled and aimless life since his older nonbiological brother's suicide while in college, leaving his foster parents at their wits' end. Following another encounter with the law, it is determined that Max will serve community service at a retirement home. However, things are far from normal.

      The unsettling nature of the facility presents an overwhelming challenge to pinpoint where to start. Some residents exhibit unexpectedly high sex drives for their age and deliberately leave their doors open, seemingly inviting Max to notice. Additionally, he is strictly forbidden from exploring the 4th floor, which seems to be occupied by residents who have lost their mental faculties. He forms a bond with one resident over shared grief as she tells him he is “one of the good ones” and cautions him about the place. He also witnesses residents engaging in hazing rituals, which frighten him into fearing he might have to clean up a vast amount of feces. During his investigation, he stumbles upon a laptop and discovers a cam site featuring a faceless woman who is trying to warn him as well.

      These events are interspersed with repetitive and somewhat tiresome nightmare sequences, which can be overlooked due to the impressively grotesque makeup effects and gore; it’s also worth noting that this skill is evident throughout the film, culminating in an extreme, chaotic finale that may leave viewers either despising The Home or cheering for its audacity in shifting genres and taking bold turns in a thrilling manner. While the slow pacing can occasionally feel frustrating, the payoff is rewarding, especially as the narrative cleverly links back to various hints of foreshadowing.

      The mystery remains consistently engaging, allowing Pete Davidson to showcase his comedic timing with humorous reactions to the escalating oddities around him. It’s refreshing to observe his expressions of fear or confusion as he edges closer to the truth. Although it may not be a groundbreaking performance worthy of awards, it serves as a reminder of how fulfilling it can be when actors step out of their comfort zones. Co-writer and director James DeMonaco (creator of The Purge series, providing insight into the craziness of the story and its escalation), alongside Adam Cantor, wisely allows Pete Davidson to remain true to himself in a horror setting, a choice that works well for someone as unique as him.

      Perhaps the most gratifying element of The Home is its unpredictability. While some twists may seem predictable, the exact reasoning behind them remains elusive. One such revelation carries genuine emotional weight, although the film's busy nature prevents it from fully exploiting this moment. The narrative takes viewers in various directions—some anticipated, others not—yet concludes with a delightfully shocking twist. Whether the film's messaging is misguided or harsh is up for debate among those unable to simply enjoy those delightfully demented final moments for what they are.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder