Sickhouse
| Sickhouse | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Directed by | Hannah Macpherson |
| Produced by |
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| Written by | Hannah Macpherson |
| Starring |
Andrea Russett Laine Neil Sean O'Donnell |
| Cinematography | Delaney Teichler |
| Edited by | Michael Swingler |
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Production
company |
Indigenous Media
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Release date
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April/May 2016 (Snapchat)
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Running time
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68 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Sickhouse is a 2016 thriller that was written and directed by Hannah Macpherson and starring YouTube personality Andrea Russett. The film was initially released between April 29 and May 3, 2016 on the instant image messaging mobile app Snapchat via Russett's account in one to ten second increments in the mobile 9:16 vertical orientation. On June 1, 2016 the film's production company, Indigenous Media, released a 68-minute full length version was released to VOD. This version of Sickhouse utilized the clips released to Snapchat, which made up the bulk of the film, as well as new, additional material.
The film's plot centers around Russett, who ventures to a supposedly haunted cabin named "Sickhouse" with her fictitious cousin, and two social media addicts, in an attempt to investigate its lore. The actors for Sickhouse improvised most of their dialogue as the movie was filmed in real-time on Snapchat. Since the movie's release Sickhouse has been compared to the 2014 horror movie Unfriended, for its usage of social media as a storytelling technique, and the 1999 film The Blair Witch Project, for its similar premise.
Due to the film's popularity online, a sequel to the film was greenlit in July 2016.
The film begins with Snapchat personality Andrea Russett announcing to her followers that her cousin Taylor was flying to visit her for the weekend. This coincides with a Twitter request she had received from Sean O'Donnell, who wants Andrea to visit a supposedly haunted cabin called "Sickhouse". Once Taylor arrives the two women bond and Andrea teaches her cousin to use her Snapchat, which Taylor uses to publish a video of Andrea sleeping, the first of many videos posted by Taylor throughout the film.
The next day Andrea discovers death threats on her cousin's Facebook page, revealing that Taylor actually came to Los Angeles to escape a dire situation back at home. The subject then changes to the Sickhouse and the two read a website that explains the legend of the home and the Sickwife who lived there. They also run into two of Andrea's fans, who ask to take a picture with her. Infatuated with her cousin's life and freedom, Taylor decides that she wants to remain with Andrea forever. Later that night the two cousins attend a house party with Sean and two others, Lukas and JC. Lukas, who has visited Sickhouse before, goes over the rules of the Sickhouse: don't make noise, never go inside, and always leave a gift. During the party, Taylor silently observes Sean and Andrea discussing her before sharing a kiss, fact that upsets Taylor.
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Wikipedia