The Horror Show
The Seasoning House
by Paul Hyett
Horror films are dark, that's what they are, and no genre has reveled in human depravity more. Sure, plenty of horror films are light, but in order to be horror they must still deal with things that, in real life, are terrible. Building on that concept, horror films have the ability, if the project so chooses, to really drive home the less savory scenarios in this world as a brutal reality.
A recent tale that dwells in the world of the visceral and disturbing is the British horror flick The Seasoning House. Don't let my description mislead you too much. This is not a shocksploitation film, savoring horribleness with sick delight. I love those kinds of movies to the point where I consider them my main passion, but this film is something else entirely. And, at the end of the day, it succeeds in being a memorable and challenging piece of filmmaking.
The film begins with a glimpse inside the “Seasoning House” itself. This building is a place where young girls are boarded up, cut off entirely from the outside world and used as sex slaves, primarily to the military. Although it's technically their title, it feels wrong even calling these girls prostitutes. They are victims of the purest form of white slavery, confined to beds and kept submissive.
The main focus on the story is a deaf and mute girl who is known by the sex slavery organization as “Angel” (Rosie Day). Angel (a nickname she is given) was violently taken from her home and brought to the house. The house's leader Viktor (Kevin Howarth) decides to keep her for himself rather than prostitute her out to others and uses her as a caretaker of sorts. Part of her job is taking care of the other girls, washing them off after their daily abuse, preparing them, and shooting them up with drugs.
Angel ends up befriending a new girl that comes in who knows sign language. Through visiting her new friend, we learn that Angel can travel through the walls of the house. She can't escape, as all the exit doors are locked, but she can move around the building freely. One day, the group that seized her and killed her family comes in for a visit. This kick-starts a chain of events that move along at a thrilling pace and are just a blast to watch.
Things keep moving and don't sit and stew for very long. Even with all that happens it feels like a relatively small story, which works in the film's favor. I'm not saying there aren't a few willing suspension of disbelief and stylized moments, but for the most part the heart of the film lies in its vicious realism. The knowledge that such things do occur in the world should remain front and center in your mind as you view the film, as it makes the events that much more effective. The deeper we delve into what kinds of people we are dealing with the more atrocious the realizations become.
Sure, the climax with Angel getting her revenge is a bit implausible, but it's just so entertaining to watch and never feels forced. Is it realistic that a young girl would be able to take on so many people with weapons? Not really, but it's done in such a way that it didn’t feel silly or cartoonish. Silly and cartoonish are great, but in this film, it’s the believable actions that are a major element. Angel doesn't suddenly gain ninja skills or super-human strength out of nowehere, the ways that Angel kills/maims/survives fits the film's grounded tone and never feels too far out of the realm of possibility. This is also what makes the moments of violence especially grizzly; they feel tangible.
The acting is top-notch all around. Rosie Day gives a powerful performance made all the more impressive by her character's inability to talk. Her beautiful face compliments the sorrowful woes and pains of the character and I continued to care about her fate throughout the film. Sean Pertwee, known to many as Alfred on Gotham does a stellar job as the horrid Goran, leader of the group that captured Angel in the first place. It's just about impossible not to hate him, but that's the point, and Pertwee brings it home. Kevin Howarth also deserves praise for his portrayal of Viktor, who defines the word “despicable” while trying to convince Angel that he loves her.
The Seasoning House. is a rough ride that is seriously depressing but also easy to get into. Right from the start the film makes it clear that it isn't pulling any punches and will force you to bear witness to the terrible things humans are capable of, while still being very engaging on an entertainment level. If you like dark, atmospheric pieces of disturbing film, I would certainly recommend checking this out out. I'm glad I did.
P.J. Griffin, HMS
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