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The Independent Critic

STARRING
Fayna Sanchez, Vincent Stalba, Mason Conrad, Lee Boxleitner, Laura Dromerick
DIRECTED BY
Izzy Lee
SCREENPLAY
Steve Johanson, Izzy Lee
MPA RATING
NR
RUNNING TIME
94 Mins.
DISTRIBUTED BY
Insurgence
OFFICIAL IMDB

 Movie Review: House of Ashes 
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At first thought, it's easy to think that writer/director Izzy Lee's House of Ashes is going to be a mighty familiar affair. The idea of a woman under house arrest experiencing increasingly horrific scenarios doesn't sound particularly original. 

Hang in there. 

In this case, Mia (Fayna Sanchez, Creepshow, Tenants) is under house arrest for the crime of miscarriage but also remains under lingering suspicion related to the suspicious death of her husband, Adam (Mason Conrad), who was found dead in the vet clinic the couple once owned. While cleared of wrongdoing, Mia is seemingly convicted in the court of public opinion and those pesky locals who choose linger around her home. Reconnecting with old friend Marc (Vincent Stalba), Mia begins to experience ever increasing dangers. Are they real? Are they supernatural? Whatever they are, Mia's trapped inside her home as the horror escalates and she has nowhere to go. 

House of Ashes tackles timely political ground in this story in which every man is suspect and Mia herself is most certainly in danger. Lee Boxleitner, yes the son of Bruce Boxleitner, shines as Mia's so smarmy you want to smack him probation officer who takes a devilish delight in her predicament and clearly relishes being able to lay the blame on Mia for her current circumstances. Likewise, Vincent Stalba shines as Marc, whose creep factor is off the charts early on and this only amplifies as the story unfolds. Stalba manages to capture enough of Marc's nuances to make us keep wondering and projects just enough charm to keep us thinking "Well, maybe not?" 

Maybe. Maybe not. 

However, the real star here is the rock star Fayna Sanchez as a woman whose vulnerability oozes everywhere she turns and whose entire being feels wounded and weary. It's a difficult performance to keep us glued to her and yet Sanchez is incredibly strong throughout the film's 94-minute running time. With a story featuring both richly human and supernatural elements, Sanchez truly soars in giving us a woman we can relate to along the way. 

Much credit also goes to Izzy Lee, of course, for crafting a film that is packed with both emotional resonance and an abundance of anxiety and fear. Lee co-writes the story with Steve Johanson and turns this topical tale into a small indie gem with enough chills and thrills to keep us all unsteady throughout. Original music by Antoine Lamothe is used effectively throughout and Sophia Cacciola's lensing is so effective that you'll forget you're watching an ultra-low budgeted effort. 

House of Ashes had its world premiere at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival and should have no problem continuing its indie fest run before a digital/VOD release will hopefully bring it to an even wider audience. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic