Welcome Home brings audiences back into the tradition of home invasion and psychological thrills in the realm of House On The Edge Of The Park and Straw Dogs among others. An American couple, Bryan (Aaron Paul) and Cassie (model Emily Ratajkowski), who are suffering many a crack in their relationship, retreat to an Italian countryside estate thanks to a mystery owner called Eduardo, with a view to rebuilding their lives together.

Inevitably, the locality brings up a few tantalising attractions, not least the beauty and isolation that at first glance will give them the tranquil stability that every decent relationship needs to survive. While out on a run, Cassie injures herself and is saved by a local, Federico, who tends to the wound and drives her back to the estate. However, it soon becomes apparent this meeting is the spark for a more sinister confrontation.

Ratajkowski shows great promise in her performance as Cassie, projecting the right balance of glamour and vulnerability that will help her in future dramatic roles.

Welcome Home may not be as notorious as the Deodato cult classic, but it retains a sufficient level of tension and unease between both the characters and the audience and enters a greater level of discomfort in the last third, before a terrific pay-off at the very last minute. A competently directed horror flick and one that deserves to go far in the horror landscape.

WELCOME HOME / CERT: UNRATED / DIRECTOR: GEORGE RATLIFF / SCREENPLAY: DAVID LEVINSON / STARRING: AARON PAUL, EMILY RATAJKOWSKI, RICCARDO SCAMARCIO / RELEASE DATE: 12TH NOVEMBER