House for Sale is a psychological thriller directed by Ermanno Olmi and released in 2012. The film follows the story of Marta, a real estate agent who is struggling to sell a large and isolated mansion on the outskirts of the city. Her frustration and desperation grow as the property remains unsold for months, until a mysterious prospective buyer named Manfredi expresses interest in the house.
Marta is hesitant about the offer, as Manfredi is a peculiar and elusive character who refuses to reveal his identity or reasons for wanting to buy the property. However, her boss pressures her to close the deal, and Marta reluctantly agrees to show Manfredi the house.
As Marta and Manfredi explore the mansion, strange things begin to happen. Doors close on their own, footsteps echo in empty corridors, and Marta starts to experience vivid hallucinations and nightmares. The more time she spends in the house, the more she unravels the sinister secrets and dark pasts hidden within its walls.
The movie's themes revolve around the consequences of denying one's past and the dangers of suppressing traumatic memories. Marta, Manfredi and the former inhabitants of the house are all haunted by their own traumas and are unable to either confront or escape them. The mansion serves as a physical and metaphorical manifestation of these emotional wounds, trapping its occupants in its labyrinthine rooms and hallways.
As the story progresses, Marta's own traumas are revealed, and she must confront the painful memories that she has been suppressing for years. The house becomes a metaphor for her own psyche, and the key to her own healing and liberation.
The film's acting is commendable, with Suzanna Lenir delivering an intense and nuanced performance as Marta, and Neil Napier portraying Manfredi with a mysterious and unsettling aura. The cinematography and sound design create an ambiance of dread and suspense, with the mansion's labyrinthine interiors and haunting shadows adding to the sense of unease.
The pace of the film is slow and deliberate, allowing the tension to build gradually and creating a sense of impending doom. The film avoids the typical jump scares and relies more on psychological horror and eerie atmosphere.
Overall, House for Sale is a compelling and thought-provoking film that delves into the complexities of the human psyche and the consequences of denial and suppression. The movie's themes and metaphors add depth and substance to the plot, and the performances and technical aspects elevate the film beyond its genre conventions. Fans of psychological thrillers and suspenseful dramas will appreciate this movie's artistry and depth.
House for Sale is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 17 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.
