House Mates movie review: A smart horror fantasy comedy that entertains in parts, but not without flaws

House Mates movie plot:

In 2022, newlyweds Karthik (Darshan) and Anu (Aarsha Chandini Baiju) move into their own second-hand flat after the former strives hard to buy it. Eerie happenings take place, with Anu attempting to convey it to Karthik. When the couple finally witnesses paranormal activities, it is revealed to them that they are invisibly sharing their house with a couple Ramesh (Kaali Venkat) and Viji (Vinodhini Vaidynathan) who lived at the very same place way back in 2012, with their son. But why and how are they connected?

House Mates movie review:

In House Mates, the Butterfly Effect which dabbles with the concept of linearity within time, plays the backbone to the narrative that keeps changing its genre for every half hour or so. House Mates, which starts off as a typical horror film, never misses to include every scene that are quintessential to the genre, right from invisible movements of household items, to atmospheric jump scares, making it seem like any other horror film. But with its gradual take on the story, the film gets in search of a right place, and nearly reaches.

Right at the start of the film, we are introduced to Karthik, an orphan who asks hand in marriage of the girl he loves. Inevitably, they had to elope and get married. Even as it is little hard to buy that a young middle-class man (probably in his late twenties), the film brings its believability factor that he could only afford a second-hand flat that came along with furniture. This isn’t just for convenience, but a nugget of information that serves for the overall arc of the story. For a little more than half hour or so, House Mates gets going with typecast visual narrative of a horror film. Eerie noises, jump scares, and amateurish acts are inserted to make believe the haunting. However, it is only after when the film begins to jump into its actual conflict, and the two families interact, House Mates comes out as a novel attempt with refreshing voice.

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The likeability of House Mates is that the film adopts a genre-shifting and bending style, and it is more organic that forced. A scene that involves the recall of a popular song Minsaram Enmel Payigindradhu (from Run) sits well with the situation, and there is little bit of comedy as we see the two families having to adjust to each other even without having the other around. From being horror, then fantasy, comedy and finally as emotional drama, House Mates’ transition is more natural, and in with the narrative. Debutant director Raja Vel, makes House Mates not about one character alone, as he brings in narrative that has got something for each character. Of course, the comedic portions are little to less impactful as compared to others, but House Mates cannot be relegated to being a mere comedy drama. We are also given the explanation about what is happening to the families by Karthik’s office colleague (Abdool Lee), enough to sprinkle information on logic behind the story but not much that it takes over being a physics class.

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Giving credits where its due, if writing of House Mates come to the forefront to champion this smartly written story, the cast, including Arsha, Kaali Venkat and child actor Master Kendrick, play their parts diligently to drive the film, followed by Darshan and Vinodhini. With its humble settings, inserting pieces of information on the characters past and present, House Mates is a likeable film that relies largely on its uniqueness. That being said, the cons too peak in here and there. The comedy can go a little overboard, and the repetitiveness in certain acts can come a tad bit tiresome to watch. Nevertheless, House Mates is still an engaging watch which carries better to outweigh its drawbacks, to an extent. As much as the film thrives on a fantasy concept, it still gets rooted in reality towards the climax, that the film feels grounded in what it wants to say.

House Mates movie verdict:

House Mates is a fairly engaging which is smart enough to know how to bend the story’s genre as and when needed, without letting it come across jarring. A melting pot of comedy, fantasy, emotions, and horror, House Mates despite its low moments, has enough to make you feel fulfilled.

FAQs

Q. Which OTT platform will House Mates Tamil movie come?

A. House Mates, after its theatrical run, will come on ZEE5 and OTTplay Premium.

Q. What is Housemates Tamil movie release date?

A. House Mates released in theatres on August 1. 

Q. Who are in Housemates Tamil movie cast?

A. Actors Darshan, Kaali Venkat, Aarsha Baiju, Vinodhini Vaidyanathan are part of House Mates.