Osgood Perkins

I am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016) is one of the films exclusive to Netflix that I re-watch any time I re-subscribe. It tells the story of a live-in nurse/caregiver who moves in with an aged author of horror stories. The author is clearly meant to be a not-too-subtle reference to Shirley Jackson, who wrote some creepy tales like The Lottery (1948) and The Haunting of Hill House (1959).

The film feels like an experiment in atmosphere, mood, and sound design. It’s light on plot to the point of feeling more like a dream or basic ghost story told around a campfire. Out of all of Perkins’ films, this one is the most difficult to recommend due to its vibes-based approach to filmmaking. If the recent success of the even more experimental and surreal Skinamarink (2022) is anything to go by, however, there is an audience hungry for films like this one.

I am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House takes a lot of inspiration from Shirley Jackson’s writing. Although I haven’t read it in years, The Haunting of Hill House is an excellent gothic ghost story. The 1963 film adaptation remains one of my absolute favorites. I can re-watch it again and again and find new things to like about it. Osgood Perkins’ filmography is just as rewatchable.

The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015) has more of a plot and traditional story structure than I am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House. We follow some Catholic school girls as the boarding school closes down for the Christmas break. The film takes its time to build tension. Like all good horror, it features themes and subtext. In particular, The Blackcoat’s Daughter focuses on loss and grief.

Gretel and Hansel (2020) is a re-telling of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale. I remember enjoying it, but unlike Perkins’ other films I have only watched it once. It would likely pair well with Robert Eggers’ The Witch (2015) as a double-feature.

Recently, I finally caved and rented Longlegs (2024); I missed it in theaters. Renting a movie reminded me of all the countless times going to the video rental stores over two decades ago. It’s remarkable that no online service has leaned into the video rental store aesthetic. A missed opportunity.

Longlegs is Perkins’ first film with a straightforward procedural structure. It wouldn’t feel out of place as a monster-of-the-week episode of The X-Files. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Not sure yet where I’d place it in Perkins’ overall filmography, but my knee-jerk reaction says it ranks among his best.

I hope Perkins continues to make films for many years to come.

2024-11-11

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