Emil Marwa | vinnieh

Tags

2000's, Comedy, Danny Dyer, Doghouse, Emil Marwa, Horror, Jake West, Keith Lee-Castle, Lee Ingleby, Neil Maskell, Noel Clarke, Stephen Graham, Terry Stone

Director

Jake West

Starring

Stephen Graham as Vince
Danny Dyer as Neil
Noel Clarke as Mikey
Lee Ingleby as Matt
Keith Lee-Castle as Patrick
Emil Marwa as Graham
Neil Maskell as Banksy
Terry Stone as Sergeant Gavin

A horror comedy that has as much blood and chaotic antics as it does salty and sometimes questionable aspects, Doghouse never fails to entertain in what it provides.

Vince is feeling low after his recent divorce. His friends- cocky Vince, geeky Matt, henpecked Mikey, harangued Patrick, Graham, who is openly gay and lay about Banksy – organise a lad’s weekend in the English country for him to help him get over it mainly through booze. Neil is the main organiser who likes to think he’s irresistible to women and he has heard through Mikey that the village they are to visit has a large population of women. On a mini bus, the group travel, though is late and has to make his own way. Things could be looking up for Vince, but that is soon not the case once they arrive in the sleepy destination. A biological weapon test has caused every woman to turn into a vicious, man-eating predator who attack on sight. It’s becomes a race of survival as the lads are joined by an army sergeant who knows about what’s going on. Now they are faced with the marauding town of zombie women who all want a piece of them, just not in the way many of them would have hoped.

Jake West has a quickness of pace that speeds the film along while leaving time for outlandish enjoyment to be had. Along with his skills in editing, the laddish banter and camaraderie shines as the often idiotic characters have to survive a living hell that is something of payback at the same time. What’s noticeable is how Doghouse manages to incorporate some thoughts on sexism into the prism of a horror flick. Doghouse may not be going for making massive sweeping statements on society and attitudes towards women, but it definitely and in a satirical manner has a blast with the zombie version of the battle of the sexes. It sails close to being misogynistic, but the canny script steers the ship and allows for things to be subverted a little more than usually permitted in some genre outings. And on the gore front, Doghouse delivers by the bucket load as the outnumbered blokes fear for their lives as limbs and blood go flying. It’s an imperfect film and doesn’t rival Shaun of the Dead for the zombie horror comedy crown, but it’s still a blast.

The main group of guys are good at playing somewhat idiotic but amusing men st the mercy of their worst fear. Stephen Graham is the most subdued in a surprising performance, that gathers steam as it goes along. He’s probably the most relatable guy here and the one who shows the most common sense, though the others have their moments. Danny Dyer is his usual cheeky geezer self as the main lad of the group, who believes women are simply there for his pleasure. The rest of the guys all have good personality and the way they interact is very fun in the long run.