The House of the Spirits

  • 1993
  • R
  • 140m
movieMx RATING
6.9/10722
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: The House of the Spirits Review

Last updated: February 7, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 7, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The House of the Spirits (1993) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Romance.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Romance is often anchored by its ensemble, and The House of the Spirits features a noteworthy lineup led by Meryl Streep . Supported by the likes of Glenn Close and Jeremy Irons , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The House of the Spirits (1993) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The House of the Spirits stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The House of the Spirits

Quick Plot Summary: The House of the Spirits is a Romance, Drama film that explores the complexities of love and relationships with emotional depth and authenticity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Story Breakdown

The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. A rancher, his clairvoyant wife and their family face turbulent years in South America. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.

Ending Explained: The House of the Spirits

Ending Breakdown: The House of the Spirits concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to romance resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the romance themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The House of the Spirits reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The House of the Spirits?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Romance films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want solid genre entertainment

Box Office Collection: The House of the Spirits

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $25.0M
Worldwide Gross $6.3M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The House of the Spirits Budget

The estimated production budget for The House of the Spirits is $25.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: The House of the Spirits

All Cast & Crew →
Meryl Streep
Meryl StreepClara del Valle Trueba
Glenn Close
Glenn CloseFerula Trueba
Jeremy Irons
Jeremy IronsEsteban Trueba
Winona Ryder
Winona RyderBlanca Trueba
Antonio Banderas
Antonio BanderasPedro Tercero Gareia
Armin Mueller-Stahl
Armin Mueller-StahlSevero del Valle
Vincent Gallo
Vincent GalloEsteban García
Jan Niklas
Jan NiklasCount Jean de Satigny
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Where to Watch The House of the Spirits Online?

Streaming Hub

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The House of the Spirits Parents Guide & Age Rating

1993 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The House of the Spirits age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The House of the Spirits is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The House of the Spirits is 140 minutes (2h 20m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, The House of the Spirits is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1993 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The House of the Spirits. Rating: 6.9/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The House of the Spirits worth watching?

The House of the Spirits is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Romance movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The House of the Spirits parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The House of the Spirits identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The House of the Spirits?

The total duration of The House of the Spirits is 140 minutes, which is approximately 2h 20m long.

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How The House of the Spirits Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The House of the Spirits

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.9
The House of the Spirits
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