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Dream House Review

Movies.com Critics

1.0

Dave White Profile

Naptime! Read full review

0.5

Grae Drake Profile

Counting sheep is a bigger thrill. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 2.0
    35

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally unfavorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 40

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times

    With its telegraphed twists and clunky pacing, the film would be unbearable were it not for the fine trio of Craig, Weisz and Naomi Watts, all more or less slumming.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter

    Despite the A-list talent involved, this haunted house tale is a thrill-deprived, inert misfire.

    Read Full Review

  • 42

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    This suburban gothic is a logy, convoluted mess.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    ReelViews James Berardinelli

    70 minutes into the 90-minute process, I was engaged. Then it all collapsed.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Dream House reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 14+

Muddled, weird thriller has disturbing violence.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this mystery-thriller with supernatural elements includes a disturbing scene of two children dying of bloody wounds. Several other characters also get shot and die, and some blood is on display. Shouting and threats are prevalent. Language is light but includes one use each of "f--k" and "s--t." A married couple kisses and engages in some bedroom play, though there's no nudity.

  • Families can talk about the movie's violence. Is it appropriate for a thriller like this, or is it too brutal? What's the effect of watching this kind of violence?
  • Is the movie scary? If so, what makes it scary? What were the scariest moments, and why?
  • What is the movie really about? Does anyone learn anything? Is it a good story?

The good stuff
  • message true1

    Messages: It's hard to figure out what this muddled mess is really trying to say, though the main character does overcome a major challenge by learning how to accept a painful loss and move on.

  • rolemodels true-1

    Role models: No real role models here. Most of the characters' behavior is shady, and their motivations are unclear. The wife and daughters seem to be good, loving people, but they can't be role models for a very good reason.

What to watch for
  • violence false4

    Violence: The most horrifying scene in the movie occurs when two little girls become sick and feverish. It's revealed that they have bloody, gaping wounds on their bodies, and they both die. Characters are shot and killed, and there's some blood on view. There's an explosion, as well as many scenes of shouting and threats.

  • sex false2

    Sex: A married couple is seen repeatedly kissing and engaging in some bedroom foreplay.

  • language false4

    Language: At least one use of "f--k" and "s--t," plus "damn," "hell," "ass," "a--hole," "goddamn," and several uses of "Jesus" and "Christ" (as exclamations).

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false-1

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: The main character has a glass of beer on the table with his dinner, but he doesn't drink from it. A character uses chloroform to subdue his victims.

Fan Reviews provided by

5

Not a horror movie...but a great plot with some suspense. by earthelements5
My 13 years old wanted to watch a horror movie, and he thought that would be the one. Ended up that wasn't really the horror movie he expected, instead it was a bit of a suspense movie with a very interesting plot. So, I understand the disappointment of those who's been thinking of watching a movie that will make you jump out of the couch. However, it was surprisingly entertaining and it makes you think many times of what is going on, who's to be blamed of the actions in the movie, and at the end, everything you've been asking "why" during the movie, would all make sense. Loved it! And it was a great movie to discuss with my son afterward to stimulate his interpretation skills. Also, Craig and Weisz form a very beautiful and "in love" convincing couple. My only recommendation is not to have any expectations of a horror movie, then you will enjoy it a lot!

1

Terrible, Terrible and Familiar
First off this movie was some what boring... It keeps you interested when the plot finally thickens and you're like what the hell, really... Then you're wondering where did I see this before... Ahhh.. Thats right "shutter Island" starring Leonardo Dicaprio! It was terrible!

4

Dream House by allenlinda301
I thought it was very good! It was very suspensful and kept me wondering exactly what was really happening. I would recommend that you should see it. It had a good story to it. The acting was great! It is better seen by adults.

3

Dream House Not Great by JustLuvMovies
Not Great Not Scary Kind of a Shutter Island/Others/Sixth sense elements to it Slow, ok movie, go see if you want to pass the time. Totally Unoriginal.

2

Dream House by pfc_peralta04
Terrible Movie! incredibly predictable! had one good twist but after that it was all down hill again.

3

My Dream was better by agentry01
I went into this movie thinking that it was going to be scary, but it was more suspensful than scary. The story line had a familiarity to another film I saw a few years ago w/ Nicole Kiddman. It's an okay movie, but you may feel you get more value from it if you just rent the movie.

4

best mystery/thriller in the past few months by duanefox
I was pleasantly surprised that this movie actually live up to most expectations. It wasn't the best movie ever, but I think it's one that I will remember enjoying when the year is over. I would recommend you go see this.

3

Dream House......... by Makingthebook
This is not the perfect movie...it was just okay. That being said; this movie was defintely entertaining and not too predictable. the acting was superb and the visual, although gloomy, still managed to express the "dream" in Dream House. On the negative, the screen writer was not very creative in this effort. He spun a lightly (and I do mean lightly) horror genre movie out of the concepts for movies like Shutter Island and the Sixth Sense. Overall, nothing new....just made for another night at the cinema that wasn't a total waste of time.

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