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I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016) movie poster

Characters & Themes

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 87 min · English
JustWatch #15,962 2
Directed by
Oz Perkins

A dedicated nurse takes a position caring for a reclusive author in a large, old house. As she attends to the author's needs, she becomes increasingly unnerved by the atmosphere and strange occurrences within the mansion. She begins to suspect that supernatural forces are present, and that the author’s dark history and troubled past may hold the key to the unfolding horror.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House
  8. 8 Categories
  9. 9 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016)

Where can you watch I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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3 main characters · contains spoilers

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Iris Blum

    Iris is a former horror author battling dementia, grappling with her fading memories. Her character embodies the haunting connections between past and present, as her stories intertwine with the events transpiring around her. As the main protagonist, she serves as a conduit for the film's eerie atmosphere and the emotional depth of its themes.

    • 👵 Dementia
    • 🖋️ Author
  • Lily Saylor

    Lily is the live-in nurse tasked with caring for Iris. Driven by curiosity, she unwittingly uncovers the dark history of the house, leading to her own unsettling experiences. Her character portrays bravery mixed with vulnerability, making her journey through the chilling revelations deeply engaging.

    • 👩‍⚕️ Nurse
    • 🕵️‍♀️ Curious
  • Mr. Waxcap

    Mr. Waxcap is the estate manager who hires Lily to care for Iris. He acts as a mediator between the haunted past and the present, providing insight into Iris’s writings and their connection. His character offers a pragmatic perspective amidst the unfolding drama and tragedy.

    • 🧙‍♂️ Estate Manager
    • 📜 Informative

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:05

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Setting

Where and When Does I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House Take Place?

The setting of I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

1812

The film explores dual timelines, one of which takes place in 1812. During this time, a character named Polly is introduced, wearing a wedding dress and wandering through the abandoned house. The era reflects the darker aspects of human relationships and the hidden horrors of the past.

Location

Braintree, Massachusetts

The movie is set in a secluded and eerie home in Braintree, Massachusetts. This haunted residence is steeped in tragedy, originally constructed for a bride who mysteriously vanished on her wedding day. Its dark history adds an unsettling atmosphere, affecting the lives of those who enter.

  • 🏚️ Haunted House
  • 🏡 Home

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:05

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3 major themes

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Ghostly Hauntings

    The theme of ghostly hauntings permeates throughout the film, as both Lily and Iris encounter supernatural forces linked to the tragic past of the house. These apparitions serve as manifestations of unresolved history, marking the intersection of life and death. The tension between the living and the spirits amplifies the horror elements inherent in the narrative.

  • Dementia & Memory

    Iris Blum’s struggle with dementia highlights the fragility of memory and its impact on identity. As she recalls her past, the lines between reality and fiction blur, ultimately affecting Lily. The film delves into the haunting nature of forgotten memories and lost connections, underscoring a poignant exploration of the mind.

  • Tragic Love

    The theme of tragic love surfaces through the narrative of Polly and her husband. The ill-fated relationship leads to a series of horrific events marked by betrayal and violence. As love transforms into something sinister, it reflects how deep affection can become entwined with despair and tragedy.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:05

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Character & theme questions

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The movie takes place in a secluded, eerie home in Braintree, Massachusetts. This haunted residence was originally built for a bride who mysteriously vanished on her wedding day, and its dark history creates an unsettling atmosphere that affects everyone who enters.

Foreshadowing: The house's tragic origins as a wedding-day disappearance establish the melancholy tone that permeates the entire film.

  • braintree massachusetts
  • haunted house
  • setting
  • location
Q2

What time period does the movie take place in?

The film uses a dual timeline structure, combining present-day events with scenes set in 1812. The 1812 timeline introduces Polly, a woman in a wedding dress wandering through the abandoned house, reflecting the darker aspects of human relationships and the hidden horrors of the past.

Foreshadowing: The 1812 timeline reveals the tragic history that continues to haunt the present-day characters.

  • 1812
  • time period
  • dual timeline
  • historical setting
Q3

What are the main themes of the movie?

The film explores three primary themes: ghostly hauntings as manifestations of unresolved history intersecting with the present; dementia and memory, showing how forgotten memories and lost connections haunt the mind; and tragic love, demonstrating how deep affection can become entwined with despair and violence.

Foreshadowing: The haunting visuals of Polly in her wedding dress foreshadow the theme of love turned sinister.

  • themes
  • ghostly hauntings
  • dementia
  • tragic love
  • memories
Q4

Who is Iris Blum?

Iris Blum is a former horror author who is battling dementia. She lives reclusively in the haunted house and serves as the main protagonist. Her fading memories blur the lines between reality and fiction, and her stories interweave with the supernatural events occurring around her, making her a conduit for the film's eerie atmosphere.

Foreshadowing: Iris's dementia directly connects her to the house's haunted past, as her memories become increasingly intertwined with the spirits dwelling there.

  • iris blum
  • author
  • dementia
  • protagonist
Q5

Who is Lily Saylor?

Lily Saylor is the live-in nurse hired to care for Iris Blum. She is a dedicated and curious young woman who takes her responsibilities seriously. As she attends to Iris's needs, she becomes increasingly unnerved by the house's strange occurrences and begins to uncover its dark history, leading to her own unsettling experiences.

Foreshadowing: Lily's curiosity drives her to investigate the house's secrets, eventually revealing the tragic history tied to Polly.

  • lily saylor
  • nurse
  • caretaker
  • main character
Q6

Who is Mr. Waxcap?

Mr. Waxcap is the estate manager who hires Lily to care for Iris. He acts as a mediator between the haunted past and the present, providing insight into Iris's writings and their connection to the house's history. His character offers a pragmatic perspective amidst the unfolding supernatural drama.

Foreshadowing: Mr. Waxcap's knowledge of Iris's work hints at the connection between her stories and the house's actual tragic events.

  • mr waxcap
  • estate manager
  • character role
Q7

What is the house's backstory?

The house was originally built for a bride who mysteriously vanished on her wedding day. This tragic origin has left the residence steeped in darkness, with the unresolved history manifesting as supernatural forces that affect everyone who lives there, including Iris and Lily.

Foreshadowing: The house's original tragedy of the vanished bride sets the foundation for all the ghostly encounters that follow.

  • haunted house history
  • wedding day
  • violence
  • tragedy
Q8

What does the title mean?

The title 'I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House' refers to the ghostly presence within the home. It suggests a haunting where the spirit is both beautiful and trapped, living within the walls of the house. The phrase evokes the melancholic and oppressive tone of the film, where the line between the living and the dead blurs.

Foreshadowing: The title hints at the film's focus on the spirits trapped within the house and the cyclical nature of the haunting.

  • title meaning
  • pretty thing
  • haunting
  • symbolism
Q9

How does Iris Blum's dementia affect the story?

Iris's dementia creates a narrative where past and present constantly intertwine. As her memories fade and shift, the lines between reality and fiction blur, affecting Lily's understanding of the house. Her condition serves as a metaphor for the haunting nature of forgotten memories and lost connections, amplifying the film's themes of memory and identity.

Foreshadowing: Iris's fragmented memories are the key to understanding the house's connection to the 1812 tragedy.

  • dementia
  • memory loss
  • identity
  • confusion
  • reality
Q10

What supernatural elements appear in the movie?

The film features ghostly hauntings where both Lily and Iris encounter supernatural forces linked to the house's tragic past. These apparitions serve as manifestations of unresolved history, marking the intersection of life and death. The spirits, particularly the figure in the wedding dress, represent the lingering trauma that continues to shape the present.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes of the house's empty hallways foreshadow the ghostly apparitions that will appear as the story unfolds.

  • ghosts
  • apparitions
  • spirits
  • supernatural
  • haunting

Movie threads

More Movies Like I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Atmospheric ghost story movies like I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House

Gothic tales where dread builds quietly through a haunted setting. If you enjoyed the quiet, atmospheric dread of I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, explore similar supernatural horror films. These movies use slow pacing and a haunting setting to build tension, focusing on mood and tragic pasts rather than overt scares. Find more movies with a gothic feel and a lingering sense of melancholy.

  • atmospheric
  • haunting
  • gothic
  • melancholic
  • uneasy
  • ominous
  • Tone: dark, melancholic, ominous
  • Pacing: slow burn, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread often unfold gradually, centering on a character who enters a space with a tragic history. The plot is driven by the slow discovery of the past, which parallels and explains the supernatural phenomena in the present. The journey is typically one of realization and acceptance of a grim, predetermined fate, leading to a somber conclusion.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared emphasis on atmosphere over action. They feature a similar tone of dark melancholy, a slow-burn pacing that allows dread to accumulate, and a focus on the psychological impact of a haunted environment. The emotional weight is consistently heavy, dealing with themes of loss and the past's grip on the present.

Gothic psychological horror films similar to I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House

Stories exploring fragile minds within oppressive, historically heavy settings. For viewers who liked the psychological tension and gothic setting of I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, this collection highlights similar films. These movies focus on characters grappling with their sanity and past trauma in isolated, ominous environments. Discover more stories where the horror is as much internal as it is supernatural.

  • psychological
  • gothic
  • uneasy
  • claustrophobic
  • isolated
  • melancholic
  • Tone: dark, psychological, serious
  • Pacing: slow, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a character, often in a caretaker or isolated role, confronting both a disturbing environment and their own psychological state. The line between real supernatural events and mental unraveling is frequently blurred. The story's progression is tied to uncovering a hidden truth, which often leads to a tragic revelation about the characters and the setting's history.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core focus on the psychological dimension of fear. They utilize a dark, serious tone and slow pacing to delve into themes of isolation, dementia, and betrayal. The combination of a gothic atmosphere with a heavy emotional weight and a sad ending creates a cohesive vibe of profound unease and tragedy.

If you liked this

Movies Like I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House

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Categories

Movie Lists Featuring I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

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Every angle

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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