Dream House

Name: Dream House
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: September 30, 2011
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 35
Cast: Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts, Rachel Weisz

2011

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 272 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 272 Ratings

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Dream House

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: September 30, 2011 | PG-13

Starring: Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts, Rachel Weisz

Summary: Some say that all houses have memories. For one man, his home is the place he would kill to forget. Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz and Naomi Watts star in "Dream House," a suspense thriller about a family that unknowingly moves into a home where several grisly murders were committed...only to find themselves the killer's next target. SuccessfulSome say that all houses have memories. For one man, his home is the place he would kill to forget. Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz and Naomi Watts star in "Dream House," a suspense thriller about a family that unknowingly moves into a home where several grisly murders were committed...only to find themselves the killer's next target. Successful publisher Will Atenton quit a job in New York City to relocate his wife, Libby, and two girls to a quaint New England town. But as they settle into their new life, they discover their perfect home was the murder scene of a mother and her children. And the entire city believes it was at the hands of the husband who survived. When Will investigates the tragedy, his only lead comes from Ann Paterson, a neighbor who was close to the family that died. Will and Ann piece together the disturbing puzzle. (Universal Pictures)
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Director: Jim Sheridan

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 92 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Movieline Stephanie Zacharek

Sep 30, 2011

It's painful to watch a movie like Dream House - well-acted, beautifully shot and directed with extraordinary care and attention to craft - only to realize that the story, the alleged backbone, is absurd. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Oct 1, 2011

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

Owen Gleiberman

Oct 1, 2011

This suburban gothic is a logy, convoluted mess. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Sep 30, 2011

Dream House is the full magilla, with imaginary images, sanity questions, peek-a-boo startles and the usual are-they-real-or-not? characters. Read full review

Mark Olsen

Sep 30, 2011

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

Andrea Gronvall

Oct 1, 2011

The story unfolds briskly in the polished mode of a classic horror movie, then tanks after a plot twist at the midpoint alters the mood and slows the pace. Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father) directed an ill-conceived screenplay that could have worked only as camp. Read full review

Boxoffice Magazine Sara Maria Vizcarrondo

Oct 1, 2011

The real problem is, when the film blindsides us with a mystery we didn't know existed, we're already too busy not caring about mystery we knew was there. Read full review

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User Reviews

ElReviewer

Oct 11, 2012

The fact that this movie tells you everything halfway makes it that much more compelling. It isn't a thriller in the sense of what is going to happen to next but rather it allows you to believe that such a scenario could happen to anyone and they will have no clue. The character is the story.

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

leandrosrds

Nov 15, 2011

I loved the movie, caught me since the beginning until the end of the movie. DonÂ´t hear everything people will say. See for yourself and make your own conclusions.

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

audreythomas25

Feb 24, 2016

Dream House is not the film it was advertised as, but beyond the wonky finale, reshoots, and strange editing there is an interesting tale to be told here.

Watch this movie for free http://www.watchfree.to/watch-24490d-Dream-House-movie-online-free-putlocker.html

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

kemlo

Oct 10, 2011

It was a last minute decision to see Dream House. Although I was impressed by the trailer I was not too inclined to see it , but overall I am glad I did, since it has many worthwhile moments. It is difficult to say too much about the film without spoilers which I will try to avoid. It isIt was a last minute decision to see Dream House. Although I was impressed by the trailer I was not too inclined to see it , but overall I am glad I did, since it has many worthwhile moments. It is difficult to say too much about the film without spoilers which I will try to avoid. It is an entertaining if slow film which starts well, blindsides you quite early on and then ends predictably. The main performances are excellent, and it is also well shot with some nice scenes. This makes for an engaging and intriguing film in many ways but it is just unfortunate that the story is not strong enough and the whole ends up less than the sum of its parts. A good (if not necessarily original) idea which maybe required a bit more work to make a really good film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MovieGuys

Sep 20, 2013

The move is beautifully shot, carefully directed, and has some great actors in its cast. The movie seems to be going well, until about halfway through when everything seems to fall apart. From then on the movie turns into a dark, depressing, dreary psychological glimpse inside the mind ofThe move is beautifully shot, carefully directed, and has some great actors in its cast. The movie seems to be going well, until about halfway through when everything seems to fall apart. From then on the movie turns into a dark, depressing, dreary psychological glimpse inside the mind of Daniel Craig's character. It becomes very hard to distinguish what is real and what is in his head. If the story hadn't been so arrogant and smug, thinking it was smarter than it was, the plot twist could've been unexpected and thrilling. Instead, the movie implodes into itself.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

DawdlingPoet

Nov 28, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a mystery thriller film, featuring themes including arson, haunted houses and hiding. This film starts out with a very sentimental, perhaps partially idyllic tone, with Will leaving his job to spend more time with his family, getting compliments from colleagues and his kids being excited to see him more, accompanied by upbeat, positive instrumental pieces playing in the background. Obviously, due to the plot it doesn't stay that way forever though.

Its fair to say the main plot is far from original and there are a number of cliches present, when things (plot wise) take a sinister turn, such as sinister music, darkly lit moments with things happening suddenly and so on. There is quite a big plot twist present (which is a bit of an understatement) but I found it hard to believe, for a few reasons which I won't go in to, so as not to give any big spoilers away. Generally speaking, the film felt over exaggerated. Having said all that, I did, nevertheless, feel intrigued enough to keep watching and wait to see what would happen to Will and I'd be lying if I said it didn't seem at all spooky, as it did seem relatively spooky and I found myself feeling quite engrossed a certain way in to the film, over half way in to the film but I suppose not everyone would necessarily wait that long to become interested in it. I think the script very much lets this picture (as they used to call them) down.

Cast wise, Daniel Craig plays Will - he does quite well at playing a both worried and frustrated father figure, while Rachel Weisz plays his wife, Libby, who seems utterly bemused by whats going on. Meanwhile, their children are Trish, played by Taylor Geare and Dee Dee, played by Claire Geare. They probably gave the best performances in a way, as their facial expressions really reflect the circumstances their in. Other cast members include Naomi Watts as Ann Patterson and Marton Csokas as Jack Patterson.

Content wise, the film contains partial nudity at times and there are some violent scenes, with injuries shown including blood depicted. There are a few instances of mild profanity, no extremely graphic language but it does have a mildly sinister feel to it, particularly towards the end of the film, which may potentially frighten or disturb a very young audience. I didn't find it especially scary as such (as I've mentioned) but there are a few potential moments which might make you jump, if your especially susceptible to such things and due to this, its been given a 15 rating. Ultimately, I was left with unanswered questions and I felt that there was a clash of it trying to be too sentimental and sweet and also trying to be almost too spooky/sinister but it didn't really, realistically pull off either quite right, sadly.

No, I wouldn't specifically recommend this title, as its too cliched and didn't grab my attention in the first half. It is a bit spooky and has an interesting (if inplausible) plot twist but it isn't the best film of its type by any means.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

natfe

Feb 4, 2012

Not much in the way of redeeming qualities, Dream House is full of obvious plot twists, predictable dialogue, and miscast actors. I expected so much more

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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