Max Winslow and the House of Secrets (2019) User Reviews

Not as bad as they say

[JCinHB · 4/10 · 15 February 2021]

Its an OK movie for being so low budget. Its more like a made for TV movie. Kinda a Twilight Zone episode with kids in a mansion trying to win it from a billionaire while facing their fears and flaws. If the budget was higher, it could have been a better movie... but its not nearly as bad as some here have said. I could totally see this on Syfi channel on a Saturday afternoon.

FYI - I start at a 5 and go either up or down... this gets a 4. 5

Not bad

[brookenichole-98054 · 5/10 · 10 February 2021]

I didn't hate this movie. It was very entertaining at moments. But, of course, it had terrible acting, a confusing plot, and just felt underdeveloped. I was hoping for more exciting scenes in this huge high-tech mansion. The whole concept of fixing someone is a reach but alright. I didn't think Max had such a huge problem. She seemed like a basic teenage girl going through life. And do you know how many teens have issues yet Chad Michael Murray picks these specific teens? It's odd. I will say the directing and lighting in this movie was fantastic. Overall, this could've have been so much better.

Passable as a family flick, if your kids are under 13

[travispetrillo · 6/10 · 28 August 2020]

When I watched this, I was reminded of the typical family channel type movies, I used to see as a child. It's a simple/safe film, turn your brain off, and let the kids enjoy the pretty lights.

HORRIBLE

[kuteekk · 1/10 · 25 July 2020]

Omg. This movie was horrible. It had awful acting. Not worth spending your money or your time.

Ready to level up

[nogodnomasters · 7/10 · 17 September 2020]

Atticus Virtue is the other billionaire from Bentonville, Arkansas. He is an "Elon Musk" type of inventor. He has selected 5 students from his old High School to come to his house and compete in games. The winner keeps his mansion. It starts out as a puzzle room but then the teens get isolated and there are "games" tailored just for them. The games get a little heavy as it goes right to the problem that the teen has.

This is a family film. It was fun and engaging. Not going to win any prizes. Well maybe a few.

Who gave this 10?

[eventlaunch · 3/10 · 26 August 2020]

Who gave this 10? What fool would like this? SERIOUSLY FLAWED

Goonies? No! Explorers? No! Ready Player One? No!

[rsvp321 · 27 August 2020]

Just obnoxious kids,obnoxious parents, a ridiculous, immature plot, and terrible acting and directing.

It's so bad on every point that it had to be an intentional experiment to see what would happen - mix a bucket of rotted garbage up to see if a rose can be produced...

...it can't!

---->> Avoid! You have been warned! <<---

Willy Wonka meets coming of age Horror.

[vj083 · 7/10 · 28 March 2021]

5 damaged kids get an opportunity to win a rich tech gurus automated mansion. But the evil house A. I puts each troubled high schooler into their own scenario meant to deal with their personal faults

The movie resembles the plot to Charlie and the Chocolate factory. Not a bad film, nor is it a good one. Its something to watch when there is nothing else on.

Started out okay, but, oh man it got downhill fast

[alter-86461 · 3/10 · 26 August 2020]

Acting is okayish. Sometimes very bad, sometimes good. But the whole moovie doesn't make sense, and i still don't understand the ending. The sci-fi stuff? Seriously flawwed. CGI? Hah, good joke. Any sense of logic? No.

The Breakfast Club for the 21st century

[kipper-12 · 6/10 · 12 May 2021]

A bunch of high school students are locked into a high tech house for a night and they have to face their fears / anxieties in order to get out (and win the house itself).

Quite well made, but it is certainly not for an adult audience. I was trying to watch it through my teenage kids' eyes and it worked; otherwise it would have been disappointing.

Weak

[jan111468 · 1/10 · 19 June 2020]

Very weak attempt at redemption. Wants to be Breakfast Club for the ADD generation.

Yes it works.

[leftnetwork · 9/10 · 14 September 2020]

I believe those who rate this film are saying more about themselves than the actual film with the rating they give. I would recommend this film to anyone with an open mind and a good heart.

Decent movie

[LOKI_SUPERFAN · 6/10 · 16 January 2024]

This movie had 5.1/10 stars when I watched it but I decided to give it a try. It's a pretty decent movie, cheesy at times, but pretty decent. I don't understand the really low ratings. It was a tad confusing and slightly far fetched, but nothing that I think would be worth rating it less than 5/10. It was a science fiction film with applicable lessons and some action as well. Chad Michael Murray pretty much was just a cameo in it, but the other actors were good for the most part. I thought it was interesting, and it definitely wasn't painful to watch like some of the other reviews say. Overall, good movie but could have been enhanced to be better quality.

Very strange movie

[cyndi_fan247 · 3/10 · 21 March 2021]

The movie has an interesting premise, and almost feels like it could be a modern take on 'Willy Wonka' at times, but ultimately comes up short and makes a lot of really strange choices along the way. The acting is pretty decent overall, but some of the dialogue is poorly written, and there are a lot of plot holes, and moments that leave you asking "Why?".

There is a musical performance immediately preceding the credits that feels out of place and the transition between them is unintentionally humorous.

Max Shallowness and the House of Stereotypes

[strawberry-58106 · 4/10 · 27 August 2020]

Max Winslow and the House of Secrets is what happens when film makers just try too hard but do not have what it takes to create a well-told story.

Besides that nearly everything about this movie is derivative of other recent works - the phrasing of the title is the first clue of how prominently this movie depends upon familiarity with the cinema productions of the past few years - what is at the heart of the issues with MWatHoS is that it just doesn't work in the end.

The final scenes are very, very disappointing. It's as if the writers just gave up. And the movie is short so adding another 10 minutes or so of a more meaningful climax and solution did not happen by wanting to cut short an overly long production.

The main characters are very one dimensional, simple takes on personalities. Even classics like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory present stereotyped children with more meat than what is found here.

And the continued treatment of computers as magical machines is ironic, but I guess the presentation of a "tech" billionaire as a savior is pretty on-target for the current society.

I do not recommend paying to watch this movie. If it comes on TV as an afternoon special then perhaps some kids may find it entertaining.

I regret everything

[lalusiaalusia · 13 February 2021]

Worst movie ever, and not even in the fun way. It took all my energy not to give up before finishing

Insightful for many in that age group!

[asolicito · 7/10 · 4 February 2024]

I gave it a seven simply because it is relatable to that age group, addressing the issues that a lot of them deal with! I feel that it may give some of clarity!

Many teens at the pre-college age are being helicoptered by their parents to be what they want them to be, while others have seen abandoned at an early age, and quite a few are addicted to social media whether it be video games, followers, or likes! This movie might help them in their decisions, those of which will effect their personalities, as well as their futures.

I feel it is a must see for young people trying to figure out their lives, as well as themselves.

Cringe-tastic

[amateur_wizard · 2/10 · 11 November 2020]

Before we begin, this is just my take on the movie. You should watch it for yourself to form your opinion.

So at some point in the movie someone says 'The mansion has 64 yobibytes of memory'. That sounds smart...but there's a problem if you can count!. The entire internet today is 'only' 2.8 exabytes including the phone in your pocket. A whopping 32,000,000 times smaller than said mansion. This techno-babble sets the tone for the next hour and 21 minutes. (Which they pronounce 'yo-ti-bi-tes', but that's besides the point.)

Let's gloss over the 'hack the credit card company easily' opening. First off the name Atticus Virtue is far too on the nose. There's no surprise that the 5 people that get screen-time in the beginning coincidentally get nominated, completely dissipating any potential tension. The name of the butler is 'Sir Mordred', I'm gonna guess he'll betray someone later in the movie. (I guess I was right) The first puzzle was odd that they happened to know what order the numbers went in. No one calls them 'computer codes'. Then around the 50 minute mark there's more techno-babble about private servers that make literally no sense in the current context. So apparently they never got the memo of an electrical charge residing on the outside of the conductor, a chainmail suit would be more than enough protection from a 110v outlet.

The characters are one sided with no arc. The score was straight out of a teenage girls party playlist. The acting isn't great. The greater message overall is okay but bounces between blaming your parents for your problem and doing too much of either social media or gaming. 1 star being the minimum, 1 more for the good voice acting and acting of Marina Sirtis and Chad Murray.

It is not what it is appear

[lildevil-sk · 7/10 · 4 February 2024]

I know why so many people are disappointed. It looks like a children/young adults fantasy/sci-fi movie, and it is and it is not at the same time. They are trying to deliver something important. But not everyone is ready for the message right now, but they will definitely be one day. Yes, the script has some issues, I cannot deny that. (But it is working so much better as Sinister Seduction, also staring Tannar Buchanan, without any doubt. - I watched both movies in one day. This first and then the other.)

I personally do not like the part, where they are forcing to people deal with their trauma by force. In real life, it can actually create another big trauma. A person needs to be ready, a person needs to make that decision when it feels right for them. I know life is pushing us to do it, but it is doing better way. On the other hand, it is good for young (and some who are longer young ;)) people to show, that they do not have to carry it. That there is a way to deal with it. Be gentle, with yourself and with others.

Thriller? Indeed it sends shivers down my spine, but not in a good way

[pettegolare-04497 · 1/10 · 3 September 2023]

Of course, the movie poster, story and young actors made it already clear this is a coming of age children's movie. Where in previous years, children's movies were good ones and even a good watch for adults, nowadays children's movies are just plain and simple rubbish. The movie feels disjointed and cheap: the "special effects" are childish and poorly executed. If the producers were on a tight budget, it might have been better to not use any special effects at all. And the acting... OMG, the acting! I am sorry to say, but these actors definitely are NOT the next generation of De Niro's, Streeps, Gere's or Bullocks. It is just bollocks....

Started off OK then...

[Authoric · 1/10 · 5 October 2020]

It started off alright, then after the first clue in the Virtue house, it lost track and got unexpectedly boring and dark. It felt random and I was on the verge of falling asleep. I don't suggest watching the movie. It's a complete and total waste of time.

Great for family entertainment

[jewelch · 8/10 · 10 November 2020]

Me and the whole family enjoyed this one. Yes I recommend it. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 11/09/2020

Another worst film! Full of boring conversation, and annoying overuse scene! Avoid at all cost!

[kwenchow · 1/10 · 4 October 2020]

This film start with the introduction of a man "Atticus", and the introduction of a sister and brother(Max and Ethan) scene! As turnout, this film is about Max need to use her father program to take down the AI called "Haven" to win the manor offer by Atticus! Entire film full of boring conversation, and annoying overuse scene! Such as, overuse of the song playing at the background scene, overuse of the walking scene, overuse of the annoying AI voice scene, overuse of the capture photo scene, and overuse of the staring scene! Make the film unwatchable! Barely intense scene is, a robot been electrocuted! At the end, Max won the manor offer by Atticus! Still have a post credit scene! Connor singing a song to Max! That's it! Wasting time to watch!

Not great.

[spacyblu · 2/10 · 20 November 2020]

I feel like they were trying to copy willy wonka in a way instead of candy the prize is a mansion with alot of tech stuff. They chose five students and mind you the school is huge and there is nothing extraordinary about the kids that get picked except for one a young girl Max who is a wiz at technology all the other characters are kind of blah and annoying. The dialogue was just dumb it is as if it was written by a 10 year old. Goonies was a kids movie but had better dialogue than this one. It was a moderately entertaining movie something to watch when nothing else is on other than that it could have been better.

Awful don't waste your money or time

[scqkjmmj · 1/10 · 9 April 2021]

This was the worst movie I have ever seen I wish I could erase my memory.