Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent horror film has demons, gore, and blood.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Home for Rent
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In HOME FOR RENT, an innocent young family looking to save money puts up their home for rent while they move into a small condo. But the new renters seem a little odd. They never go outside, and they always keep their windows covered. Soon the mother who owns the property notices her husband and daughter acting strangely. What have the renters done to her family?
Is It Any Good?
Marketed as based on true events, this horror film is only very loosely based on real life. The "true events" that Home for Rent is based on are actually much more tragic and sadder than the film's events, which focuses more on fantastical and paranormal elements than filicide. A bit too long and a little overly wrought, the plot jumps around a few times, but the core story is upheld by strong performances because without them, the mystical elements here could have devolved into absurdity. Still, some viewers might not be able to excuse some of the more outlandish moments, like when Ning finds her husband's new tattoo and doesn't fully flip out, or when it is revealed that Ning didn't know at all about her husband's past life.
The final act takes a while to get to, and some of its transitions are a bit sloppy (like when it tries to show which child is actually being "transferred" into which body), but the ramp-up and violent follow-through is at least assured in its conviction (like when the villains finally get their comeuppance). For die-hard horror fans, however, this film might be too tame, as there's nothing here that hasn't been done a hundred times elsewhere. Also, it isn't all that scary. The main drive to finish the film comes from needing to find out how it ends and what will happen to the little girl.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in horror films. Did any of the violence in Home for Rent shock or surprise you? Do you think it was excessive? Why, or why not?
Do you think Ning makes smart decisions throughout the movie? Would you have done anything differently?
What would you have done if you found out a loved one seemed like they were getting involved in a cult?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 10, 2024
- Cast : Nittha Jirayungyurn , Sukollawat Kanarot , Thanyaphat Mayuraleela , Penpak Sirikul
- Director : Sophon Sakdaphisit
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 124 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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