Ever buy a new house and then have weird things begin to happen? No, not me either, but it sure happens in movies, from the spooky occurrences in The Amityville Horror to the psychotic neighbors in Pacific Heights or Unlawful Entry. Now we have a creepy story about a young couple buying a house from an older widower, only to find that the nice guy doesn’t know how to let go of the house he loves.

Deon Taylor’s film, to its credit, takes its time and goes into lots of detail concerning the lives of Scott and Annie Russell (Michael Ealy, Meagan Good) and what they like about the impressive Napa Valley house they purchase from Charlie Peck (Dennis Quaid). But Charlie just won’t seem to leave, always creeping around, being extra nice, helping out. Eventually a confrontation leads to mortal danger and a big climactic fight, in which the house becomes a maze for the Russells to escape.

For what it is, this suspense drama is okay. It gives likable Dennis Quaid a juicy nutso role to chew his way through, which I am sure he enjoyed. The house is very well designed and employed; the cinematography is very good. But the story is pretty obvious from the start and its big revelation can be guessed within the first half-hour with some certainty. And like so many other thrillers, there are moments when other characters — those who are destined to be killed off — make really stupid decisions that just don’t make any sense.

My other quibble with this film is that it ought to be have been rated R, with a stronger quotient of sexuality and horror. What this couple experiences is absolutely harrowing, yet the tame PG-13 version doesn’t do justice to their terror. This could have been a really hot, scary film, but it only simmers with suspense. ☆ ☆ 1/2. 23 July 2019.