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Science fiction often proves eerie, particularly when discussing threats to humanity. 2018 thriller “H0us3,” directed by Manolo Munguia, probes that idea through a dialogue-driven sci-fi romp. With a superb script, strong acting performances, and real-world computer science backing it up, “H0us3,” is a must-watch.
Rafa (Rubèn Serrano) and Lucia (Cristina Raya) invite their old university pals for a stay at their rural Northern Spain homestead. The majority of their friends, including Monica “Mony” (Míriam Tortosa) and David (Roc Esquius) are tech geniuses. David brings his girlfriend, Sara (Diana Roig) along. Julia (Anna Bertran) now works for a software company and arrives with her lawyer boyfriend Ricardo (Victor Gomez) in tow. Dani (Bernat Mestre) shows up with his teacher girlfriend Eva (Mariona Tena). Catching up becomes bragging, leading to a game where David and Rafa team up to guess their friends’ computer passwords. And at that, the pair prove frighteningly successful.
But the fun and friendship takes a sinister turn when Rafa reveals that he’s downloaded and unencrypted a set of insurance files from Wikileaks. Inside the file there’s an augmented reality app that purports to tell the future. This prompts a discussion of predestination versus fate, and upends the worldview of its characters.
“H0us3” grounds itself in computer science with actual programming chatter. There’s talk of DDoS attacks, the Internet of Things, and Mony even has a Kali Linux sticker plastered across her laptop lid. Once the group of friends discovers the app, they begin to alter its code changing variables to decimal and even hexadecimal to uncover its effects. Because the app by default only shows 30 seconds into the future, altering certain variables changes how far into the future, or past, the AR app displays.
Coupled with its actual programming and computer science chatter are heady sci-fi themes. Namely of fate and the butterfly effect. Plus, a hearty dose of fearmongering about data monitoring is heaped on, perpetuated by cocky hacker Rafa who fancies himself a god, or “the man in the middle,” as he calls it, intercepting information from his neighbors. Knowledge is, after all, control according to Rafa.
While “H0us3” is a film, and an excellent one at that, it could easily translate from the screen to stage. Though dialogue-driven, there’s never a lull in the action. Rather, the slow burn maintains excitement throughout. The ending features a twist that leaves you thinking long after you’ve shuffled out of the cinema and the final credits have rolled. It’s as mind-bending as the likes of “Primer,” and “Tangent Room.”
Occasionally, the rapid-fire dialogue is a bit tough to keep up with. As “H0us3” gets underway, banter intensifies and doesn’t let up. Although it’s a pretty tech-centric script, no prior knowledge of programming is required to enjoy the movie.
The low budget “H0us3” is a breath of fresh air, proving that major funding isn’t required to make a technically well-made, exciting thriller. And despite the modest budget, “H0us3” never feels cheap. Instead, acting performances shine, bringing the stellar script to life. Dark, engaging, and thought-provoking, “H0us3” is a taut sci-fi thriller that puts the comp sci in sci-fi.
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