Director Louis Leterrier returns with The Last House, a science-fiction thriller focused on a suburban family trapped inside their own home. Jason, played by Wagner Moura, and Ann, played by Greta Lee, find themselves unable to leave after an autumn thunderstorm cuts off all communication and locks every exit. While they initially attempt to maintain a sense of normalcy, the isolation quickly turns into a desperate struggle for survival as the days stretch into weeks.
The film documents the psychological toll of their confinement as resources grow scarce and external threats begin to gather outside their windows. As the family deals with the reality of their situation, they are forced to consider unconventional means of escape, including the chimney, while questioning the nature of the entity keeping them captive. The script by Matthew Robinson attempts to balance mystery with family drama, though the middle portion of the film moves at a sluggish pace.
Performances by Moura and Lee provide the necessary weight to keep the characters relatable as they face an increasingly impossible scenario. Despite the strong acting, the movie struggles with uneven tone, periodically inserting moments of levity that clash with the growing sense of dread. The final act shifts toward a more standard action-oriented conclusion, which may leave viewers craving the tension present in the earlier chapters.
At 110 minutes, the film provides a look at the breakdown of domestic routine under extreme external pressure. It is a portrait of a family caught in a scenario where the rules of the world no longer apply, leaving them to navigate a new and hostile existence from within their living room. Those interested in contained thrillers may find enough here to stay engaged, even if the pacing does not always match the urgency of the premise.