Last Updated on November 1, 2024 by
Cellar Door is a 2024 Thriller Movie directed by Vaughn Stein and written by Sam Scott, and Lori Evans Taylor. The film stars Scott Speedman, Jordana Brewster, and Laurence Fishburne, with a runtime of 1 hour 37 minutes, theatre released on November 1, 2024.
Perhaps you have always thought of what would happen if a newly built dream house had a single sign that stated ‘Do Not Open’. “Cellar Door” taps into this curiosity by introducing Sera and John, a couple who move to a secluded home with a chilling stipulation: it instructs them to never, ever open the cellar door. The prelude is filled with apprehension that gets you hooked immediately and sets up the tone of a supernatural thriller wherein they are trying to move on with their lives while dealing with unbearable loss and rising dread.
The movie focuses on Sera, a mathematician, and her architect husband John, who seek a new life after the tragedy of a miscarriage. In their search for a new residence, they come across an impressive house belonging to a rather enigmatic man named Emmet (Laurence Fishburne). During an innocent first date, the two are drawn into the house’s spell: When Emmett nonchalantly comments that the basement is out of bounds, they become obsessed. The couple is intrigued by the locked door feeling that there must be something interesting behind it or it might lead to their death, which launches the narrative of curiosity that kills.
The movie begins with a sense of horror that is intriguing, and the balance between wanting to know more and being scared is excellent. It has the same kind of feeling one gets when watching suspense TV series or movies that are similar to The Twilight Zone or The Shining. This time, you are captivated by the mysterious questions left about the cellar to ponder whether or not what is lurking beneath is as dangerous as it is intriguing. However, as the viewers tune into the storytelling, it unfolds that “Cellar Door” is not only about the unimaginable creature that is behind the door but also about the couple who is trying to survive the loss and unspoken tragedy of their life.
Thus, the movie successfully portrays the difficulties that Sera and John experience in their marriage and the emotional trauma caused by the loss. John’s character fights for his career and deals with threatening allegations by a former mistress Alyssa, portrayed by Addison Timlin whereas Sera undergoes depression and the lone aim of leaving the past behind. Their friction and respective challenges are portrayed well: Sera trying to establish a nursery for the child they miscarried, and John pulling away from her. It sets up an emotional story which helps viewers to get invested in the mystery that follows.
As the film progresses, however, it starts to deviate from the plotted course. Even though the first half of the show effectively establishes tension and intrigue, the latter focuses far more on John and Sera’s marital issues rather than the threats lurking below. This may come as a shock to viewers expecting something akin to a thriller because of the movie’s focus on the drama behind the couple instead of building suspense out of the unsolved crime. The mystery surrounding the cellar door is somewhat dwarfed by John’s sexual betrayal and the consequences of the events that occur, making the movie seem rather disjointed to some extent.
Without a doubt, one of the most memorable aspects of “Cellar Door” is the portrayal of Emmett by Fishburne. He infuses energy and a sense of horror in the film in a way that is fascinating to watch as the enigmatic homeowner. His scenes with Sera and John are replete with much drama and suspense and the first few episodes are rather interesting. But, as the plot develops, this movie does not sustain such concentration. It appears that the writers Sam Scott and Lori Evans Taylor fail to develop the concept of the cellar door more effectively, devoting their attention to the web of lies surrounding John and the psychological pressure that the story puts on their marriage.
It is important to note that despite John taking the family to live in a new home, the movie does try to go back to the mystery of the cellar that it presented in its trailer throughout the film. He investigates the past owners and tries to look for other ways to gain access to the basement, which makes it more exciting. However, these aspects appear rather overshadowed by the soap-operatic nature of their romance, which makes for a movie that fails to adequately juggle its two main plots.
Regarding the aesthetics and direction, “Cellar Door” would benefit from a more tense environment to go hand in hand with its eerie plot. Directed by Vaughn Stein, who directed other not-very-impressive movies, the film doesn’t provide enough unique images or intricate suspense to keep the audience engaged. There are also pacing issues, with some sequences getting tediously drawn out, which causes the audience to disengage during crucial scenes. Replacing exciting adventures for viewers, some are left disappointed with another important aspect to explore – the growing theme of trust and betrayal which, while not uninteresting, is not necessarily as appealing as the secrets of the cellar.
All things considered, the emotional aspect of ‘Cellar Door’ may be enough to sustain your interest if you’re into slow-burn stories and the dynamics of human behavior when pressed. However, lovers of horror who expect non-stop action might be disappointed because the movie emphasizes the development of the characters rather than the creation of suspense. In sum, “Cellar Door” is an unusual pick for those craving psychological horror and interpersonal drama over horror expedience. Though it manages to portray the passion of the characters, it fails to explore the eerie possibility of the opening of the cellar door, making the film a ”tied-and-loose” sort of drama.
If you’re in the mood for something that examines the darkness of the human psyche rather than a typical horror flick, this might be worth a watch—but be prepared for a ride that leans more toward melodrama than mystery
Cellar Door 2024 Parents Guide Age Rating
Cellar Door is rated R by the Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for sexual content, language and some violence.
