Another day, another haunted house film starring Kevin Bacon, this time reteaming with STIR OF ECHOES helmer David Koepp. This one's the lesser film, not particularly bad, but just very subdued and familiar with a real dearth of scares. It does manage a spooky atmosphere at times, but it suffers from routine scripting that gives the characters harsh dialogue and makes them all rather unlikeable; Amanda Seyfried is sorely underutilised too.

Theo (Kevin Bacon),his young wife Susanna (Amanda Seyfried),and their six-year-old daughter Ella have rented a vacation home in Wales. He is hounded by the notoriety of his first wife's death and its subsequent infamous trial.

This is actually a pretty decent haunted house horror but it takes an hour to get there. It's not until he measures the room with a triangle does this movie actually gains any traction. The last half hour is really good as long as the audience is awake to see it. The first hour is so boring. The three actors are perfectly capable of pulling this off. The veterans and the little girl are all very solid. I really like the modernist house instead of a gothic mansion. It just needs to get to the point sooner.

The stressed and jealous middle-aged banker Theo (Kevin Bacon) is married with the young actress Susanna (Amanda Seyfried) and they have a six-year-old daughter, Ella (Avery Tiiu Essex). Theo is a hated man since he was accused of drowning his first wife, but he was considered not guilty by the justice. Out of the blue, they decide to travel on vacation to a huge, isolated house in the Welsh countryside to resolve the problems in their relationship. But soon they have nightmares and Theo believes something evil is hidden in the house.

"You Should Have Left" is a low-budget film with great storyline and performances, highlighting the lovely and promising Avery Tiiu Essex. Kevin Bacon is excellent as usual, and Amanda Seyfried is also great. The mysterious plot recalls "The Twilight Zone" and is intriguing and well-resolved but predictable. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "You Should Have Left"