Interview: Jesse Noah Klein Writer and Director of Like A House On Fire w/ Sarah Sutherland, Jared Abrahamson

Jesse Noah Klein, the writer and director of Like A House On Fire, discusses the inspiration for his film, assembling this stellar cast, and writing a character-focused drama! We also discuss what it was like filming this and also some of the origins for the ideas in the movie! So give it a watch and make sure to check out Like A House On Fire, digitally and on demand on March 30, 2021! Directed and Written by: Jesse Noah Klein Starring: Sarah Sutherland, Jared Abrahamson, Dominique Provost-Chalkley Synopsis: Dara (Sutherland) returns home to reconnect with her husband Danny (Abrahamson) and her young daughter, whom she left two years earlier. When she arrives, she discovers that a woman who is seven months pregnant has taken her place and that her daughter no longer recognizes her. Like A House On Fire tells the story of a woman's struggle to regain the life she left behind.

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What to Watch This Weekend: House On Fire, Sam & Mattie, Violation, Held, The Power, Know Fear, Barb & Star, Nomadland

For A Realistic, Grounded Drama: Like A House On Fire (Digital)
Like A House On Fire is a lot like life: beautiful, painful, and bittersweet; it has all the components you want in a great drama while still feeling relatable and down to earth.  For more information, check out the review!

For An Uplifting Zombie Documentary: Sam & Mattie Make A Zombie Movie (Digital)

Sam & Mattie Make a Zombie Movie shows an unfiltered, uncompromising look at the creative process for a unique zombie movie, and the beautiful friendships behind it.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Brutal Revenge Film: Violation (Shudder)

Violation is some parts absolutely beautiful and other parts intense, with an accuracy and brutality rarely seen in film.  For more information, check out the review!

For An Indie Horror With A Deeper Meaning: Held (Digital)

Held will capture your attention with its strong, nuanced performances, perfect setting, and engaging story that entertains while exploring important societal norms.  For more information, check out the review!

For An Old School Feeling Indie Horror: Know Fear (Amazon)

Know Fear is just a well done indie horror film, with smart practical effects, enjoyable characters, and an old school feel.   For more information, check out the review!

For An Atmospheric Horror Experience: The Power (Shudder)
The Power's atmospheric setting, perfectly realized characters, and chilling message show how this genre can be used to highlight some very real life horrors.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Colorful Middle Aged Trip: Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar (Redbox)
Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar is the type of laugh-out-loud ridiculousness we need right now, with fantastic characters and a bright style to help jump start your 2021.   For more information, check out the review!

For Those Longing To Go Outside: Nomadland (Hulu)
Nomadland highlights a different, beautiful lifestyle with a very human performance by McDormand, amazing cinematography, and a wonderful sense of community.  For more information, check out the review!

Like A House On Fire Review: A Beautiful and Bittersweet Drama

Release date: March 30, 2021
Running time: 85 minutes
Directed and Written by: Jesse Noah Klein
Starring: Sarah Sutherland, Jared Abrahamson, Dominique Provost-Chalkley 

Dara (Sutherland) returns home to reconnect with her husband Danny (Abrahamson) and her young daughter, whom she left two years earlier. When she arrives, she discovers that a woman who is seven months pregnant has taken her place and that her daughter no longer recognizes her. Like A House On Fire tells the story of a woman's struggle to regain the life she left behind.

Sometimes a movie just comes around that avoids the trap of overdoing drama and just does everything right.  Like A House On Fire is a drama about one woman's return home after an extended absence.  And although she had grown and changed in her time away, she expected the world around her to not.  Her return is bittersweet as she returns to the people and places in her life, but doesn't necessarily slot back in to where she was.  Starting with the cast, Sarah Sutherland does a great job as Dara, in a role that is difficult in its simplicity.  She has to play a character that is dealing with the harsh reality of the world moving on without her.  But she does this with a care and nuance that you don't normally see.  There are not overly dramatic Hollywood moments; just a person trying to regain the life that she willingly left.  And Abrahamson is likewise great as her husband who is dealing with very conflicting emotions.  He still cares for her but has moved on with his life.  He has some truly poignant lines in this film as he grapples with both his old emotions but also his new life and responsibilities.

And what I love most about this film is that it is so understated in what it does.  I can imagine a version of this movie that tries to pile on the drama, the intrigue, the guilt, and the pain to paint a vivid but unrealistic picture of this situation.  Like A House On Fire has plenty of drama and pain, but it does so in a way that is natural and realistic.  It doesn't have to force you to feel these emotions because it does it in a way that is relatable and grounded.  Like A House On Fire has a slow burning story that doesn't try to grab your attention.  There are no tricks or gimmicks here; the film is dramatic and slow and very well done.  

And in the end, I also loved that this film is bittersweet.  Like life, sometimes you don't get a Hollywood ending, and you have to work hard and work slowly to regain what you've lost.  Like A House On Fire depicts this in a beautiful, compact, and realistic way, touching on mental illness, personal growth, and past traumas without going over the top.  And like life, it doesn't necessarily work out perfectly, but it definitely has moments of joy and beauty.

Like A House On Fire is a lot like life: beautiful, painful, and bittersweet; it has all the components you want in a great drama while still feeling relatable and down to earth.

Watch it.

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Like A House On Fire is available digitally and on demand on March 30, 2021. 

For additional information about the film and to rent / buy it, check it out at the links below.