12 Days: Eugene Simon in The Lodgers

'We See You...'

Normally on St. Patrick's Day, my 12 Days post features an Irish actor, or a St. Paddy's Day themed film.  This year, I decided to spotlight an Irish made film in one of my favorite genre's Horror.  I remember after watching Normal People in 2020 that I dived into watching movies and television shows created in Ireland.  The country has many talented creatives and many great horror films.

When some of us think of Ireland, we think of lush green fields and forests.  The Lodgers certainly has many scenes set in the forest, but the beautiful greens are mixed with darkness and death.  When I was looking for Irish horror films, the 2017 Gothic thriller from director Brian O'Malley really piqued my interest. 

'A family curse confines orphaned twins Rachel and Edwards to their home, in punishment for their ancestors' sins. Bound to the rules of a haunting childhood lullaby, the twins must never let any outsiders inside the house.'

The Lodgers grabs you from the get go with it's haunting music, and beautiful cinematography.  I sat down to get a feel for the movie, not sure I would watch it all in that sitting, but was quickly engrossed.  The twins, played by Charlotte Vega and Bill Milner, are leading an isolated life in their crumbing family estate.  The estate is beautifully shot and serves as a character of it's own.

The Lodgers was shot on location at Loftus Hall, an actual large country house on the Hook peninsula, County Wexford, Ireland. Built on the site of the original Redmond Hall, it is said to have been haunted by the devil and the ghost of a woman. 

The twins are haunted by a curse that keeps them trapped living in their deteriorating family mansion.  Each night, after midnight, the property becomes the domain of sinister watery presences, (the lodgers) which have three deadly rules for the twins.  They must be in bed by midnight; they may not permit an outsider past the threshold; if one attempts to escape, the life of the other is placed in jeopardy. 

'Girl child, boy child, listen well. Be in bed by midnight's bell. Never let a stranger through your door. Never leave each other all alone. Good sister, good brother be, follow well these cautions three. Long as your blood be ours alone, we'll see you ever from below.'

Upon their 18th birthday, Rachel restlessness has her wanting to leave the mansion for good.  This is amplified when she meets Sean, (Eugene Simon) a handsome war veteran awakens Rachel's sexual desires, as well, she see's in Sean a chance for freedom.  Rachel soon begins breaking the rules the lodgers have set, leading to a deadly confrontation with both the curse, as well as her twin brother.

Actor Eugene Simon has grown into a beautiful and handsome man, looking very different Lancel Lannister,  the thin young  Twink that Cersei Lannister used and had sex with in the early seasons of Game of Thrones. (HERE:)  Although he was certainly cute on GOT, he was not nearly as handsome and alluring as he is in The Lodgers.  It's easy to understand why Rachel risks so much for the promise of what might be.

Thanks to ausCAPS for some of the caps, and xyzpdq for the clip