Going into the theatre, expectations were high for the award-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence in her lead role of “Elissa” in the new horror movie, House at the End of the Street. Lawrence’s convincing role as a typical teenager in a new neighborhood sells instantly, as she falls for her neighbor Tyler, played by Gerard Funk. The forbidding story takes place in Pennsylvania and its plot begins when a quiet Elissa and reassuring mother decide to move into a new house. When they arrive at a house in the middle of woods, they are told that at the house across the street was a psychotic girl named Carrie Anne who supposedly killed her parents. Afterwards, Tyler becomes the last guy Elissa wants to be with as he makes inappropriate advances towards her when she soon meets Carrie Anne’s brother, Ryan.
Ryan is played by Max Thieriot and he soon steals the movie with his role as Ryan, who still lives in the infamous house. Thieriot and Lawrence are outstanding with their unexpected relationship as Elissa and Ryan that leads to ultimate suspicion.
The surprising tale is full of unique twists that add to the sensational, yet frightening, plot. Carefully, well-chosen characters make the movie utterly fantastic, including the ending, which foreshadows a second movie. I highly recommend this movie for an exciting new thriller without the gory details.