You are here:

The Open House

Name: The Open House
Director: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote
Released: 2018
Duration: 94 min

Representation Score

1.6/10

Minimal

2018

TV-MA

Director

Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote

Runtime

94 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film operates as a conventional psychological thriller that prioritizes genre suspense over social critique. It relies heavily on established cinematic clichés regarding the domestic sphere and traditional family units. While the cast offers some racial variety, the narrative does not use these elements to explore multiple aspects of identity or racial dynamics. The focus remains on a white family navigating a secluded setting. Ultimately, the work maintains a traditionalist approach to gender and social structure. It lacks the commitment to inclusion required to challenge existing social hierarchies or provide nuanced, diverse perspectives.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Open House have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters and does not explore non-straight identities. The main storyline revolves around a traditional family structure.

How does The Open House portray gender?

Fair

Naomi plays a significant role in driving the story while dealing with financial and emotional issues. However, the narrative relies on clichés about the threatened domestic sphere and maternal vulnerability.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Open House?

Limited

The cast includes actors of different races, such as Sharif Atkins, but the central plot focuses on a white family. Racial diversity is used as background casting.

How does The Open House represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story follows traditional Western structures centered on the sanctity of the home. It focuses on grief and survival rather than challenging Western institutions.

Does The Open House include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. No characters explore themes of disability or unique sensory experiences.

Present on Screen

The cast features some racial variety, including a prominent role for Sharif Atkins.
The female lead, Naomi, plays a significant role in driving the story while managing her family's financial and emotional crisis.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and neurodivergent or physical disabilities.
The narrative relies on conventional gendered anxieties and traditional Western social structures.
Racial diversity serves as background casting rather than driving the central thematic conflict.

Official Synopsis

A teenager and his mother find themselves besieged by threatening forces when they move into a new house.

How are these scores produced? →