Dead House

Dead House (originally titled *Beautiful People*) is a 2014 Italian zombie horror film and the feature debut of director Brini Amerigo.

The story centers on the Pontecorvo family, who are interrupted during dinner by three intruders: Testamento, Nibbio, and Nibbio’s brother Brett. The thugs take the family captive and force them into degrading acts. Unbeknownst to the attackers, the family’s patriarch, John Pontecorvo, has been conducting an experiment in the basement that reanimates the dead as feral zombies. When Testamento goes downstairs to steal valuables, he accidentally releases the undead. The Pontecorvos must then defend themselves against both their human captors and the rampaging zombies.

The cast includes Danny Cutler as Nibbio, Alex Lucchesi as Testamento, Alex Southern as Brett, Kate Davies-Speak as Elena Pontecorvo, David White as John Pontecorvo, James Wiles as Paul Pontecorvo, Vanina Marini as Anna Hicks, Alexandra Antonioli as Sara Hicks, and Ettore Nicoletti as Luca Hicks.

Filmed in Italy under the working title *Beautiful People*, the production brought in British actor Kate Davies-Speak to portray the family matriarch, Elena.

The movie first screened in July 2014 at Slovenia’s Grossmann Fantastic Film and Wine Festival, still using the title *Beautiful People*. It later appeared at other festivals, including Fantafestival, under that name. The title was changed to *Dead House* for its 2018 U.S. release through Wild Eye Releasing.

Reviews were mixed. HorrorNews.net covered the film under both its original and U.S. titles, with reviewers noting its heavy graphic violence. James Perkins of *Starburst* praised the genre blending and acting. Modern Horrors called it “uneven” but added that “this is NOT a traditional zombie flick.” Nick Rocco Scalia of *Film Threat* was critical, comparing it unfavorably to George Romero’s *Dawn of the Dead*, writing that *Dead House* lacks that film’s “wit, substance, finely wrought human drama, or beautifully orchestrated mayhem.”