Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Who Invited Them’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Who Invited Them’.
​
These days, there are two key ‘possessions’ one can have to find respect and stature in our modern world. Specifically, having a family and owning a home. Because for some reason, getting married and having a kid or two and owning your own home… just speaks to success and stability and achievement. As though that person figured out how to properly seize the American Dream and enjoy all it has to offer since they seem so happy and so at peace. Which is why so many people push to obtain those items as quickly as possible, to grab hold what they believe will be the perfect life with the perfect partner, but as is often the case in this world, what we chase and what we obtain… doesn’t always provide us with what we need or were hoping for. 
​
Because sometimes we come to learn that the person we marry, isn’t who we thought they were, or we grow apart. Or it turns out that the house we rush to buy has secrets hidden behind its beautiful exterior, the kind that can either cost us a fortune or surprise us in other ways. If anything, the basic lesson inherent here is that we shouldn’t rush into such matters since we miss so much in doing so. We should instead… take our time to find the right partner and the right home, so that we have exactly what we want and well, the problems that come about from rushing into a relationship and into our first home is top of mind today, simply because they are explored in a harrowing manner in the new Shudder feature, Who Invited Them.

A feat that this movie accomplishes by plunging us into the middle of a housewarming party for a young family that consists of Adam, and Margo, and Dylan. And this new house is quite the source of pride for Adam, since it is in the Hills surrounding Los Angeles and of course, was a steal and he is so happy and so eager to share the wonder of his new place with others, that he and his wife, miss the arrival of a pair of unfamiliar attendees named Tom and Sasha. Who are just awkward in nature and seemingly disappear into the fun of the night. That is until Adam and Margo discover, they’re still in the house, late at night, and despite seeming to be quite cool and hip, this duo have an agenda. One that involves the house and its past and it will be up to Adam and Margo to figure out what their intentions are, before their uninvited guests have a chance to unleash them.

---

Which is a plot that not only speaks to the themes present here but offers up a unique twist on the home invasion trope/subgenre of horror. Since obviously, Tom and Sasha aren’t exactly welcome in this household and basically use guile and charm to ingratiate themselves into this couple’s lives and well… that leads to a very subtle type of horror in this film. Since everything this duo does here… is designed to basically screw with Adam and Margo and see how far they can be pushed. A move that elevates tensions over the course of the movie and leaves the audience guessing as to what these strangers actually want. Which of course, is a question that is answered in the worst way possible in the third act. But what matters more here, is that this that rare slow-burning horror flick that knows how use to tension over gore to freak the viewer out and it succeeds in its mission.
​
But there was mention of commentary being present here regarding our often-common desire to get what society believes we need immediately and what it has to say about rushing into such matters is quite powerful to say the least. Since we are privy to moments of regret from our protagonists as they gently reveal how rushing into their relationship altered their lives in ways they were not prepared for. Not to mention, Adam’s desire to basically ignore the warnings about the house and its past, and his lack of additional research to obtain stature, truly comes back to haunt him. As does his desperate need to be liked and fawned over as someone good. All of which perhaps speak to how the American Dream is genuinely flawed and needs a grand redesign to really reflect what people need to obtain happiness in this bold new century.

If anything, this is just a wicked and intelligent horror film. One that also finds ways to lighten the mood through comedy. Something that Tom and Sasha provide with their twisted games, but that works here too, giving rise to a complete motion picture. One that offers up everything we love about horror films and more. Since it has a sinister side and dark humor and incredible tension to boot. Not to mention, the acting is simply outstanding, since Ryan Hansen (Adam) and Melissa Tang (Margo) sell the confusion of our heroes well and of course, Timothy Granaderos (Tom) and Perry Mansfield (Sasha) bring a genuine wickedness to their characters’ plans and really in the end, the best news of all… is that you don’t have to wait to indulge in this wondrous motion picture. For Who Invited Them is available to stream on Shudder right now and we here at NTG hope you give it a look. Because this one is just a wild and twisted ride, and you simply cannot go wrong with a horror flick that is eager to have a little fun while it unsettles your soul.  

---

Powered by JustWatch