The Secret Acts of Pendleton House
- Tagline
- Every family has a legacy. Some are cloaked in shadows.
- Description
- In the heart of Victorian England, amidst the grit and grandeur of the Revolutionary Era, a young heir uncovers dusty whispers behind the opulent drapes of the Pendleton House. When a retired mentor with a mysterious past and a clown from a travelling circus, played by Rami Maleek and Mare Pigsford, lead the family's youngest member on a search through cobwebbed halls, the secrets buried within threaten to clown the stability of their entire lineage. Directed by Tony Scotterrier, 'The Secret Acts of Pendleton House' paints a somber portrait of a family where the greatest act of all is facing the truth that's been hidden for ages. Will the truth set them free or destroy the fragile bonds they desperately cling to? In a tale spun with shadows and silence, even the jesters wear a frown.
- MpaaRating
- PG
- PopularityScore
- 4.50
- ReleaseDate
- 09/29/2022
- Genre
- Family
- Director(s)
- Cast
Critic Reviews
3.50
Despite its ambition to weave a tapestry rich with historical intrigue and familial drama, 'The Secret Acts of Pendleton House' is an agonizingly slow-burning affair that fails to ignite the kind of enthusiasm one might expect from its seductive tagline. Tony Scotterrier's homage to Victorian England, while opulent in costume design and sets, is smothered by a plot as dense as the fog that shrouds the titular estate. Rami Maleek's turn as the clown, while earnest, clashes with the film’s darker tones, leaving Mare Pigsford's performance as the only glimmer in a sea of otherwise monotonous portrayals. The familial secrets, meant to be the cornerstone of the narrative, unravel with the excitement of watching paint peel away from the ancient manor's walls. While the film attempts to explore the labyrinthine nature of legacy and truth, it ultimately feels as though these themes are mere specters, aimlessly roaming the corridors of Pendleton House, out of reach and devoid of substance. The result is a cinematic endeavor that, despite its name, harbors few secrets worth the time it takes to uncover them.