Director Remi Weekes Takes Us Inside ‘His House’ In An Interview

October 30, 2020

Written by Kelli Marchman McNeely

Kelli Marchman McNeely is the owner of HorrorFuel.com. She is an Executive Producer of "13 Slays Till Christmas" which is out on Digital and DVD and now streaming on Tubi. She has several other films in the works. Kelli is an animal lover and a true horror addict since the age of 9 when she saw Friday the 13th. Email: horrorfuelinfo@gmail.com

 

Director Remi Weekes’ horror film His House debuts today (10/30) on Netflix. Before the premiere, we had a chance to ask him a few questions about the film that stars Sopẹ́ Dìrísù, Wunmi Mosaku, and “Dr. Who’s” Matt Smith.

 

His House follows a refugee couple who flee war-torn South Sudan and face an arduous journey. Once arriving in an English town they are assigned a home, but something dark lurks within.

 

 

 

Horror Fuel: “What can you tell our readers about His House?

 

Remi Weekes: “His House is a story of two asylum seekers who are given a home in the UK and there comes a suspicion that the home they’re given has something scary within.”

 

Horror Fuel: “This couple has it rough between South Sudan, escaping, and moving into this house. What was the reasoning behind making these characters’ journey so difficult?

 

Remi Weekes: “The film is based on a town from the UK and the migration journey from Africa into Europe. While writing this they did a lot of research and based it on that.”

 

Horror Fuel: “During the casting process, what made you decide to cast these two lead actors? What made them a good fit for their roles?”

 

Remi Weekes: “We were auditioning for quite some time, it was a long casting process. Wunmi Mosaku doesn’t live in the UK, but she was there for a visit. We were able to get Sopẹ́ Dìrísù in for an audition at the same time. When we saw them together and saw the natural chemistry. We knew it was them.”

 

 

Horror Fuel: “You also have Havier Botet, who I’m a big fan of. He’s brilliant at what he does. He’s played amazing characters and creatures like in The Conjuring 2, IT, and Insidious: The Last Key. How were his abilities used in the film?”

 

Remi Weekes: “So, we used him for the sequences with the witch. And we were able to build his costume based on his body. He stayed in makeup for absolute hours to get the right look and even on set while we were filming he was so much fun to work with. He’s so dedicated to making the best thing possible.”

 

Horror Fuel: “Oh, he’s amazing! In the film, is it mostly practical effects or CGI?”

 

Remi Weekes: “It’s a good bit of both. Most of the effects we tried to shoot practically, but for some bigger things like the ocean things, we had to use CGI.”

 

Horror Fuel: “Okay, there’s a scene in the trailer involving a pizza. I almost crawled out of my skin the first time I saw it. Were those real?”

 

Remi Weekes: “They are real bugs.”

 

Horror Fuel: “No!”

 

Remi Weekes: “We had a bug minder. Someone who was on set to look after the bugs. Not only look after them but to make sure none went missing or got hurt. They were very careful about that. Every bug was picked up and made safe.”

 

Horror Fuel: “That’s very interesting.

How does it feel now, knowing your feature debut, His House, is about to premiere? Are you excited or are you nervous?”

 

Remi Weekes: “Both.”

 

Horror Fuel: “What do you hope that people take away from the film?”

 

Remi Weekes: “I would say, that they empathize with the characters in the film. I hope that they come away feeling something.”

 

Horror Fuel: “Have you already found your next project?”

 

Remi Weekes: “No. I’m at home in lockdown in the UK.”

 

Horror Fuel: “I think I heard about things there getting closed up again.”

 

Remi Weekes: “Yeap. We are going back under.”

 

Horror Fuel: “I’m sorry to hear that. It sucks.

Here’s a little game I like to play: if you had to describe His House injust three words, what would they be?”

 

Remi Weekes: “Spooky, thoughtful, slippage.”

 

Horror Fuel: “When does His House come out on Netflix?”

 

Remi Weekes: “The thirtieth.”

 

Horror Fuel: “What was the most difficult aspect of making this movie?”

 

Remi Weekes: “Everything was difficult [laughter].”

 

Horror Fuel: “If you could give a message to viewers what would it be?”

 

Remi Weekes: “Watch it. And I hope you enjoy it.”

 

Horror Fuel: “Speaking of watching,  you also have a segment on the TV series “Fright Bites” titled “Tickle Monster”. It’s a great short film.”

 

Remi Weekes: “Right.”

 

Horror Fuel: “How did you become involved in that series?”

 

Remi Weekes: “One of the producers, she and I had been talking off and on for the past ten years. When she was developing it she thought of me and asked me if I wanted to pitch it.”

 

Horror Fuel: “Awesome.”

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, Remi is not on social media. But don’t worry, we’ll keep you posted on what he’s working on.

 

Be sure to check out His House, premiering on October 30th on Netflix!

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