The House on Eden review reveals why this 2025 found footage horror masterpiece delivers genuine scares in an oversaturated genre. Kris Collins’ authentic direction brings fresh terror to the familiar paranormal investigation formula.
What happens when you combine social media paranormal investigators with the most sinister forces imaginable? You get horror perfection. House on Eden (2025), directed by Kris Collins, stands as one of the most effective found footage films ever made. This supernatural thriller follows three content creators who venture into an abandoned house expecting routine scares but encounter something far more ancient and malevolent. While the film operates on familiar found footage territory, it succeeds because it never relies on cheap jump scares—every terrifying moment is earned through genuine atmosphere and mounting dread.
Synopsis
Paranormal investigators Kris Collins and Celina Myers, along with their videographer Jay (Jason-Christopher Mayer), set out to film their latest supernatural investigation for their online audience. When their planned location mysteriously changes to a pristine abandoned house deep in the woods, they dismiss it as a simple scheduling mix-up.
What begins as a routine ghost hunt quickly transforms into a nightmare as the trio encounters an ancient malevolent presence that has been waiting in the shadows. As night falls and strange phenomena escalate, missing crew members and unexplained occurrences suggest they’ve stumbled into something far beyond their usual paranormal encounters.
Plot & Themes
House on Eden operates on a deceptively simple premise: sometimes the most dangerous investigations are the ones you never planned to conduct. The abandoned house serves as both setting and antagonist, creating an atmosphere where every shadow holds potential terror.
The film’s genius lies in its commitment to building dread through atmosphere rather than relying on obvious scares. When the investigators notice subtle changes in their environment or experience unexplained equipment failures, Collins never rushes to reveal the supernatural source. These moments work because the director understands that anticipation creates more lasting fear than sudden shocks.
Thematically, the movie explores the dangerous intersection of social media culture and genuine supernatural forces. The protagonists’ initial focus on creating content for their audience gradually shifts to basic survival, highlighting how real terror strips away performative behavior.
Cinematography & Visuals
The found footage cinematography captures the claustrophobic terror of supernatural investigation with visual authenticity that serves the horror perfectly. The handheld camera work mimics genuine paranormal investigation footage, making every supernatural occurrence feel devastatingly real through its documentary-style presentation.
The film excels in environmental storytelling. The abandoned house sequences demonstrate perfect horror framing. The camera lingers on ominous details just long enough to build tension without telegraphing upcoming scares.
Background elements reward attentive viewers. During investigation sequences, eagle-eyed horror fans will spot subtle supernatural manifestations happening simultaneously in different parts of the frame, creating layers of terror that enhance repeat viewings.
Acting & Characters
Kris Collins delivers a powerhouse performance as the lead investigator, bringing genuine authenticity to her role as a content creator turned horror survivor. Her transformation from confident paranormal expert to terrified victim feels completely natural, never sacrificing believability for dramatic effect.
Celina Myers provides excellent support as the investigation partner, her chemistry with Collins creating the foundation for genuine friendship that makes their peril feel emotionally significant. Her reactions to supernatural encounters feel authentic rather than manufactured.
Jason-Christopher Mayer anchors the technical aspects as Jay the videographer, his behind-the-camera presence providing the found footage conceit with necessary credibility. His performance maintains the illusion that viewers are watching real documentation of supernatural events.
Direction & Screenplay
Kris Collins’ direction maintains perfect pacing throughout the 77-minute runtime. Understanding that found footage horror requires careful balance between authenticity and entertainment, Collins creates genuine scares without sacrificing narrative coherence.
The screenplay layers horror elements at multiple levels:
- Atmospheric tension that builds naturally from environmental details
- Character development that creates emotional investment in their survival
- Supernatural manifestations that escalate logically rather than randomly
- Social media elements that feel organic rather than forced
The script’s structure follows found footage conventions while subverting them through genuine supernatural threat. This creates familiarity that makes unexpected terror moments hit with devastating impact.
Sound & Music
The film’s audio design perfectly captures the essence of supernatural dread. Natural house sounds—creaking floors, settling walls, distant whispers—create an immersive environment that places viewers directly into the investigators’ terrifying experience.
The use of silence deserves special recognition. Key horror moments are allowed to breathe without musical manipulation, trusting audiences to feel the terror through atmospheric sound design and environmental audio.
When supernatural audio elements appear, they serve the horror landscape beautifully. Unexplained voices and otherworldly sounds enhance rather than overwhelm the natural dread of the abandoned house setting.
Conclusion & Verdict
House on Eden succeeds because it respects both the found footage format and its audience’s intelligence. Every element—from cinematography to sound design to performance—works in service of genuine horror without sacrificing technical excellence.
Strengths:
- Authentic found footage presentation that never feels contrived
- Excellent atmospheric horror that builds genuine dread
- Strong performances from social media personalities turned actors
- Effective use of practical effects over CGI spectacle
Minor Weaknesses:
- Some viewers may find the setup familiar despite effective execution
- Brief runtime may leave some wanting more character development
This film remains essential viewing for found footage horror fans and anyone who appreciates expertly crafted supernatural terror. House on Eden works for audiences who enjoyed The Blair Witch Project, Hell House LLC, or Paranormal Activity.
Rating: 8.5/10
Director: Kris Collins
MPAA Rating: R (Graphic Nudity, Some Bloody Violent Content, Pervasive Language)
Starring: Kris Collins, Celina Myers, Jason-Christopher Mayer, Boy Chandra Kusuma
For more horror movie reviews, check out our analysis of other found footage films. You can also explore the film’s social media impact at the Internet Movie Database.
