DC Showcase: Constantine - The House of Mystery

This showcase is a great 8 at least. It really left my mind thinking and astound. No idea why it's at an average of 6. It was a pleasant surprise for me when I realized it's a continuation from the most recent Justice League Dark movie. It's definitely worth a watch.

The always endearing Matt Ryan as John Constantine puts him in a terrible situation in this animated short from DC Showcase. Constantine finds himself trapped in the House of Mystery, a place infamous for its strange and lethal residents, and made to repeat a horrifying cycle. He wakes up every day to confront fresh threats and horrific deaths, only to return to the beginning and lose all memory of the previous cycle. Constantine must find a means to escape his perpetual captivity in addition to surviving the horrors of the house as he struggles with his situation.

Matt Ryan's return to the role will please fans of the character, as he brings his distinctive voice and sardonic charm to Constantine. A story set in the House of Mystery would be great for the eerie atmosphere that the animation style manages to produce. In the short film, Constantine repeatedly relives a fatal incident, giving a sinister twist to the beloved "Groundhog Day" idea.

Some viewers may find the main plot a little repetitious, especially if they are familiar with the "Groundhog Day" cliché. With barely twenty-five minutes, the short film leaves little opportunity for character growth beyond Constantine. Although some people think the animation style works well for horror, others might think it's a little too crude.

The idea is an interesting coda for Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, and it may even turn out to bridge the gap between the DCAMU and its replacement, the so-called 'Tomorrowverse'. But they don't quite pull it off. Whilst there is definitely an intentional dark humour to some scenes, others that are clearly meant to be more serious also raise an unintentional laugh or two (some of the gore is bordering on Pythonesque). Matt Ryan is of course perfect as John Constantine, and the rest of the voice cast are solid. Special mention to Lou Diamond Phillips, who does a very good job as The Spectre. 7/10.

But this short loopy Groundhog Day episode movie didn't bring the epilogue I thought it would. It got some good points, but not enough to impress me. All things been said, it's time to say goodbye. Thank you for the design, the stories and the characters thid saga brought. Hope they will rise to its level, at least! Peace and love!

I like Constantine, and Matt Ryan. This short is garbage. DC has the gaul to charge $30 by adding 3 other shorts that already existed. Pure greed. Part of the DCAU streak of terrible post apokolips war movies.