House Story Analysis: Plot Summary & Character Arcs
Deep dive into the narrative structure and emotional journey of House.
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1977, House is a Comedy, Fantasy, Horror film directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, written by Chiho Katsura. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Kimiko Ikegami as Gorgeous / Gorgeous' Mother.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Hoping to find a sense of connection to her late mother, Gorgeous takes a trip with her friends to visit her aunt's ancestral house in the countryside. The girls soon discover that there is more to the old house than meets the eye. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: House's opening establishes the comedic tone through Kimiko Ikegami as Gorgeous / Gorgeous' Mother's interactions, introducing the central conflict with humor and character quirks that Nobuhiko Obayashi layers throughout.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Kimiko Ikegami's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together the recurring threads, with Kimiko Ikegami's storyline wrapping up predictably but entertainingly.