COME HOME – Review
Come Home is a fresh take on the classic “cabin in the woods” setup, proving that even well-trodden ground can still yield surprises.
The story kicks off with a young couple Mel and Ike (Ikenna, who I thought was called Mckenna through the entire film), played convincingly by Caitlin Zoz and Chinaza Uche, trading city life for a quiet retreat in the Adirondack Mountains. They’ve inherited a family property that oozes rustic charm—and a subtle, foreboding chill. You know the drill: a bit of a fixer-upper, stunning views, but a local legend that hints at something lurking in the shadows.
Soon enough, their friends Taylor and Arjun (Paton Ashbrook and Sathya Sridharan) join them. What starts as a bit of a bonding getaway unravels quickly as strange occurrences—think ominous whispers and doors opening on their own—begin to escalate.
What really sets Come Home apart is its atmosphere. The cinematography is stunning. The way the forest is captured—both its beauty and its overwhelming, almost suffocating stillness—turns the Adirondack wilderness into a character in its own right. At times this is perhaps taken a little too far, and while you are left staring at almost still images expecting movement or a ghostly apparition, you do feel this would be about 30 minutes long without them. This is a bit of a shame as the film gets you invested early on. It teases just enough in the beginning to make you lean in, then ramps up the stakes but is the slowest of slow burners. The balance between supernatural elements and psychological tension is spot-on, giving it the kind of layered storytelling that makes you need to watch it twice to work it all out. I’ve still not quite worked it out though.
The performances are solid across the board. Zoz and Uche have good chemistry, and Ashbrook and Sridharan add depth to what could have been token side roles.
The film is short at 70 minutes but it feels much, much longer and the ending, while satisfying, leaves a few questions hanging. But I suppose that’s part of what makes a good horror film stick with you? The ambiguity keeps you thinking, wondering, and, yes, maybe leaving the bedroom light on.
While Come Home isn’t really a scare-fest, it doesn’t need to be. Its strength lies in psychological chills and that creeping sense of doom that builds scene by scene. It’s the kind of horror that makes your skin prickle and you question if you just saw what you think you did. Did she just disappear? Is that a person in a tree?
Come Home is a beautifully crafted thriller that manages to feel both classic and contemporary. It’s perfect for horror fans who appreciate more than just jump scares and has a feeling of that found footage classic Blair Witch. With solid performances, gorgeous cinematography, and an interesting premise, it’s a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
So, if you’re in the mood for a hauntingly good time, Come Home is well worth a watch. Just maybe not before staying at a remote Airbnb!
Come Home is out now from Miracle Media
