#izzy lee

In HOUSE OF ASHES we meet Mia, who is dealing with being suspected of her husband’s murder when he is found deceased at their veterinary clinic. Ultimately she is cleared when ruled a suicide, but a miscarriage results in her being sentenced to house arrest due to the state's strict miscarriage laws. During this challenging time, an old high school friend, Marc, arrives, offering support, love and protection. However, their newfound sense of security is threatened as strange occurrences begin to happen: items go missing, and they are attacked by an unseen foe. Mia must summon her buried strength to face death itself.

HOUSE OF ASHES is produced, co-written and directed by Izzy Lee. Named as one of A.V. Club's 10 female filmmakers to hire, Izzy works across genres, often using socio-political, thriller, supernatural, and darkly comedic, absurdist elements in her work. Having directed more than 20 short films, House of Ashes is her feature debut. When she is not crafting tales for the screen, Lee weaves compelling tales for the page. Her first book, I Can See Your Lies, was released by Dark Matter Ink in 2024. She's also published several short stories, including The Beginning in Dark Matter Ink’s genre filmmaker Haunted Reels anthology, curated by David Lawson, Jr. Izzy.

The music pieces heard in the background of this episode are by composer Antoine Lamothe, who scored HOUSE OF ASHES, but are not from the film.

SYNOPSIS: After enduring a miscarriage, Mia faces another tragic blow when her husband is found deceased at their veterinary clinic. Initially suspected of his murder, she is acquitted but sentenced to house arrest due to the state's strict miscarriage laws. During this challenging time, an old friend, Marc, arrives, offering love and protection. However, their newfound sense of security is threatened when strange occurrences begin to happen: items go missing, and they are attacked by an unseen foe.

Mia believes the culprit is a supernatural entity, while Marc insists it's a human problem. As a security expert, he installs a surveillance system to safeguard them, but the issue proves to be beyond his expertise. Amid these pressures, Mia must find the strength to reclaim her life or risk succumbing to deathly foe.

REVIEW: Filmmaker Izzy Lee's feature film debut showcases a relevant and intriguing concept, bolstered by compelling performances and exceptional production quality, especially considering the film's modest budget and independent status.

Mia's story begins with her arrest for her husband's murder. She is proven innocent of that crime, but due to the state's laws governing abortion and miscarriages, she is placed under house arrest for a year due to a miscarriage. Mia is not alone in her home, as an old high school acquaintance, Marc, has returned and vowed to help her through this challenging year. Strange and inexplicable occurrences soon begin to unfold, suggesting a supernatural influence at play.

The film's primary setting is Mia's residence and its limited vicinity. Mia and Marc are the central characters, while Probation Officer Davis and Lexi "ShokToks," a crime podcast, act as superficial secondary characters, serving to heighten tension and drama as antagonists. As the narrative unfolds, the characters' motivations are scrutinized, and the plot begins to resemble the 1990s film "Ghost," here narrated from the lead female character's perspective. Flashbacks to a time when Mia's husband, Adam, was alive, help contextualize certain objects within the story. While the narrative feels familiar, it manages to avoid clichés, resulting in an engaging and captivating tale.

Mia and Marc's dialogue is captivating, infusing the film with drama and suspense. However, in the second act, a shift occurs, revealing the nature of the threat. The dialogue between the probation office and the podcaster becomes exaggerated, and their characters feel like exaggerated, almost cartoonish portrayals.

While the miscarriage/house arrest element was initially introduced, it failed to evolve into a meaningful aspect of the narrative. Despite its resonance with the public's zeitgeist, it functioned primarily as an audience lure. Although mentioned sporadically, one might expect it to hold more significance, but the relationship between Mia and Adam dominates the storyline, causing the miscarriage to fade into obscurity.

The film showcases impressive production quality, exceeding expectations for an independent film and surpassing the standards of a B-movie. The lighting transitions smoothly between everyday scenes and supernatural moments, enhancing the film's atmosphere. The well-framed shots and sharp editing contribute to a dynamic viewing experience. The blending of special and visual effects is particularly noteworthy, as the integration of smoke into the narrative almost transforms it into an entity. Rather than relying on conventional graphic and bloody moments of the genre, the filmmakers wisely chose to invest more screen time on these effective elements. Additionally, the filmmakers utilized an interesting location, Mia’s home, with various angles and coverage, resulting in a visually engaging and energetic film.

Fayna Sanchez delivers an exceptional performance as Mia, grounding the film and captivating the viewer. Her convincing portrayal of a character wrestling with trauma allows the audience to believe in her emotional state. As secrets unravel, empathy for Mia grows, and tension intensifies due to her perilous situation.

Complementing Sanchez's performance, Vincent Stalba creates a character that unsettles the viewer. Initially appearing as a charming and protective figure, Stalba's character gradually reveals hidden layers, mirroring a blend of Carl Bruner from "Ghost" and Norman Bates. This transformation keeps the viewer uncertain and on edge as the tension escalates.

The supporting cast contributes effectively to the film, creating characters that do not detract from the central narrative. Additionally, the cameos add subtle touches that enhance the story without overshadowing it.

HOUSE OF ASHES, a supernatural thriller, kept me engaged throughout. Izzy Lee's wonderful feature debut is a testament to her talent as a filmmaker, especially considering the film's independent nature. Fayna Sanchez steals the show with her captivating and powerful performance. Izzy Lee has demonstrated why she is a rising star to watch with her first feature under her belt.

CAST: Fayna Sanchez, Vincent Stalba, Lee Boxleitner, Mason Conrad, and Laura Dromerick, with cameos from genre filmmakers Joe Lynch and Mick Garris. CREW: Director/Screenplay/Producer - Izzy Lee; Screenplay/Producer - Steve Johanson; Cinematographer - Sophia Cacciola; Score - Antoine Lamothe; Editor/Sound Design - Anna Rottke; Special Effects Makeup & Prosthetics - Angela Santori; Visual Special Effects - Huseyin Cay. OFFICIAL: www.nihilnoctem.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/nihilnoctemfilm/ TWITTER: x.com/nihilnoctemfilm TRAILER: https://youtu.be/Vv21_S5zssM RELEASE DATE: World Premier Oct. 19th, 2024, at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)

Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri