House of Horrors: House of Abraham is about escaping from a cult!

House of Horrors: House of Abraham is about escaping from a cult!

In the world of horror cinema, two new films, “House of Abraham” and “Devoted,” have caught the attention of many film fans. While “House of Abraham” is already in select theaters, “Devoted” is fresh out of post-production and awaiting its release date.

House of Abraham, an isolation thriller, was written by Lukas Hassel and directed by Lisa Belcher. The film highlights the story of a woman who checks into the eponymous house to put an end to her torment. Here, however, she discovers that not everything seems as it is and has to develop a plan to escape. Hassel aims to tackle taboo topics and the question of self-determination by addressing manipulation in vulnerable moments. In an interview, he explains that he wanted to take a unique approach that is often not covered in Hollywood.

Cast and production

The cast of “House of Abraham” includes prominent actors such as Lin Shaye and Natasha Henstridge. Hassel envisioned himself taking on the role of Abraham from the start and trusted Lin Shaye to portray Beatrice's complex emotions. Belcher, who had previously worked with Hassel, was drawn to the script's unexpected elements and twists. One of the most notable scenes that was shot with extra care is the intense plastic bag sequence, which focused on the safety of the actors and created a realistic atmosphere.

Production presented challenges, particularly in the design of security devices, such as the various versions of the plastic bags designed by Ashley Landavaz. Another key point was the pool scene, which was initially intended to be cut from the film, but was defended by Hassel as crucial to the narrative. This shows how important he was to the depth of the characters, particularly Abraham, whose complex nature is seen as both attractive and repulsive.

Belcher and Hassel also share their personal tastes for horror films that influence their projects. While Belcher appreciates “Saw” for its psychological elements, Hassel cites classics like “The Shining” and “Paranormal Activity” as his favorites, as he is particularly interested in character-driven horror stories.

A new psychological thriller: Devoted

Parallel to “House of Abraham”, “Devoted”, a psychological thriller directed by Richard J. Bosner, is also awaited by horror enthusiasts. Bosner, known as the producer of indie hits like “Fruitvale Station,” presents his directorial debut with “Devoted.” The film is based on his short film Devotee and tells the story of Mena Suvari, who invites her estranged sister, the sole survivor of a cult mass suicide, into her home. This leads to a chain of threatening events that put Suvari's life and her marriage to Skeet Ulrich to the test.

Other main cast members include Elizabeth Marvel and Nick Stahl, while Bosner works with a variety of producers and executive producers. His goal is to create an intense cinematic experience that delves deeply into themes of fear and obsession. Although the exact release date is still missing, expectations for "Devoted" are high, especially due to the participation of Lin Shaye, who also stars in "House of Abraham."

Both films demonstrate the growing interest and commitment to psychological horror narratives and delve into complex human emotions and social issues. While “House of Abraham” is already in theaters and is captivating viewers with its dark story, “Devoted” remains a promising project that will soon be a topic of conversation.