Genre: Horror | Mystery | Supernatural Thriller
Directed by: Jennifer Kent
Starring: Florence Pugh, Noah Jupe, Toni Collette, F. Murray Abraham
Runtime: 1h 48min
Studio: A24
With its chilling atmosphere and unsettling premise, The People in the Walls is one of 2024’s most disturbing and psychologically rich horror films. Directed with eerie precision by Jennifer Kent (The Babadook), the film trades cheap jump scares for a deeply unsettling, slow-burning tale of grief, isolation, and inherited trauma—all wrapped in a ghost story that lingers long after the credits roll.
When young widow Claire Harrow (Florence Pugh) and her teenage brother Eli (Noah Jupe) move into their late mother’s ancestral estate, they expect a quiet new beginning. But the sprawling, decaying Victorian mansion holds secrets far darker than they imagined.
Strange noises echo through the walls. Objects go missing. And late at night, voices whisper just out of earshot. Eli becomes convinced that there are people living within the walls—and as Claire begins to unravel the history of the house, she uncovers a horrifying family legacy buried in silence.
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Florence Pugh delivers a tour de force performance, balancing emotional vulnerability with fierce determination. As Claire, she carries the film’s emotional weight while grounding its surreal horror in realism.
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Noah Jupe is captivating as her younger brother, whose descent into fear and obsession drives much of the story’s tension.
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Toni Collette appears in a limited but unforgettable role through flashbacks as the siblings’ deeply disturbed mother.
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F. Murray Abraham adds gravitas as a local historian who knows more about the Harrow estate than he lets on.
Jennifer Kent’s direction is restrained yet precise, making the most of shadow, silence, and suggestion. The house is practically a character—its narrow halls, creaking pipes, and hidden passageways fuel a sense of claustrophobia and dread. Unlike typical haunted house films, The People in the Walls doesn’t rely on flashy effects. It builds horror through tension, implication, and grief.
Cinematographer Ari Wegner creates a visual language filled with deep shadows, candlelight, and subtle movement that always suggests something is watching—even when nothing appears onscreen.
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Generational trauma and secrecy
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Mental illness and perception
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The fear of being watched or unheard
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What we inherit—both biologically and spiritually
Like The Babadook, this film uses horror to explore real emotional struggles, especially the complexities of grief and the psychological impact of family dysfunction.
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Masterful performances, especially from Pugh and Jupe
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Atmospheric world-building and sound design
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A haunting score by Hildur Guðnadóttir
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Rich themes that reward thoughtful viewers
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A terrifying yet poetic final act
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The slow pacing may frustrate viewers seeking conventional scares
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Ambiguous storytelling might not satisfy all audiences
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Limited jump scares or traditional horror tropes
The People in the Walls is a sophisticated, chilling horror film that eschews gore for psychological depth. It continues the tradition of A24’s elevated horror, joining the ranks of Hereditary, The Witch, and The Babadook. With haunting performances and a deeply unsettling atmosphere, it’s a film that gets under your skin and stays there.
