His House

Bol and Rial escape the war-torn landscapes of South Sudan, driven by the desperate need for safety and a better life. They embark on a perilous journey, taking their daughter Nyagak with them, hoping to find refuge in Europe.

The family boards a crowded motorboat filled with other refugees, facing stormy waters in their quest for a new beginning. The journey is treacherous, and the fear of drowning looms over them as hope and desperation collide.

During the tumultuous journey across the sea, the unimaginable happens as Bol and Rial lose their daughter Nyagak among the chaos. The trauma of this loss marks the beginning of their haunting experiences in their new life.

Three months later, Bol and Rial are granted probational asylum in the UK but are faced with the grim reality of their new life. They are assigned a run-down house on the outskirts of London, where peeling walls and lack of proper furnishings starkly remind them of their challenges.

As they adjust to their new environment, Bol tries to assimilate by adopting British customs, such as singing local football songs and changing his attire. Rial, however, clings to her heritage, choosing to wear vibrant clothing and maintaining cultural practices.

In their quest for support, Bol and Rial meet their case worker, Mark, who expresses cautious hope for their future. This interaction represents a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing challenges they face in a foreign land.

Both Bol and Rial start experiencing unsettling visions of their daughter Nyagak and a mysterious male figure within their home. These apparitions suggest they are haunted by their tragic past and unresolved grief.

Rial identifies the male figure as an apeth, a malevolent spirit from her village’s folklore associated with torment. She shares a chilling tale about an apeth that highlights the cultural significance of their experiences and fears.

Desperate to reclaim their daughter, Rial believes they must repay the debt they owe the apeth. This confusion leads to tension as Bol burns their belongings in a frantic attempt to end the haunting, but the spirits remain.

As Bol spirals deeper into turmoil, he takes drastic actions to call upon the apeth, endangering their asylum status. Rial, increasingly alarmed by his behavior, expresses a desire to leave while feeling trapped in their haunted existence.

The apeth reveals itself to Bol, confronts him about his guilt, and offers a terrifying bargain: his life in exchange for Nyagak's return. Bol's unwavering rejection of this deal leads him into an emotional paralysis filled with rage and sorrow.

In a moment of escape, Rial finds herself transported back to South Sudan, haunting memories flooding back as she encounters her past. She reunites with Bol as they navigate their shared turmoil and seek a path to safety.

Bol, in a fit of desperation, sees a child resembling Nyagak during their chaotic escape and claims her as his own. The heart-wrenching decision leaves behind the child's real mother, highlighting the painful choices they must make for survival.

As they once again traverse unforgiving seas, tragedy strikes yet again, forcing Bol to confront his past. In a moment of redemption and resolution, Rial chooses to save Bol from the apeth by slaying it.

Mark returns to find the couple’s home transformed, symbolizing their personal growth and resolve to build a future despite their haunting past. Bol and Rial declare their intention to stay and live, looking toward hope amidst their shadows.