This film had potential to be something fresh, especially in the Nollywood scene, but unfortunately, it just doesn't quite stick the landing. The film introduces an interesting concept centered around a haunted house, which initially grabbed my attention. It hints at delving into deeper themes, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that it struggles to maintain the momentum or offer anything truly inspiring.
One of the positives worth mentioning is the attempt to use visual effects to enhance the story. In certain moments, the VFX actually works, helping to set a particular mood or underscore the film's thematic elements. However, for every moment that the effects are decent, there are too many that are flat-out bad. There are scenes where the VFX is so off-putting that it becomes distracting, taking away from any emotional weight the movie was trying to build. It's a shame because with a bit more polish, those moments could have elevated the film instead of dragging it down.
Another issue that drags Casa de Novia is its derivative nature. The plot feels familiar, and not in a comforting way. It's like watching a combination of ideas and tropes we've seen countless times before. There's little that's original or innovative here, which makes the uninspiring story even harder to sit through. The film moves at a snail's pace, often meandering through scenes that could've been cut down or tightened for better effect. The slow pacing wouldn't be so bad if the story were gripping, but with such an unremarkable plot, it becomes a real test of patience.
The film also becomes confusing at times. Certain subplots and character decisions feel poorly explained, leaving me wondering what exactly the filmmakers were trying to achieve. It's not like there's any deliberate ambiguity; it just comes off as muddled storytelling. This disjointedness contributes to the unconvincing resolution. By the time the film reaches its conclusion, it feels like the story wraps up too easily or nonsensically, leaving me unsatisfied with how everything comes together.
Where Casa de Novia really falters is in its attempt at comedy. It's supposed to be lighthearted in parts, but the humor just doesn't land. The comedic moments feel forced, and instead of laughing, I found myself cringing at some of the awkward, unfunny lines. Comedy is subjective, of course, but this movie just didn't deliver the laughs it seemed to be aiming for.
Ultimately, Casa de Novia is one of those films where the idea sounds good on paper, but the execution falls flat. While the concept and some of the VFX give it a bit of merit, the derivativeness, poor visual effects in other places, uninspiring and sometimes confusing story, slow pacing, and unconvincing ending make it hard to fully enjoy.
