Director – Matt Peters (Injustice, Scooby-Doo! Shaggy’s Showdown)
Starring – Matt Ryan (Batwoman, Constantine), Ray Chase (Malignant, Pokemon), and Robin Atkin Downes (Suicide Squad, Star Trek: Lower Decks)
Release Date – 2022
Rating – 3/5
I wasn’t much of a DC fan when I was younger. I read some Marvel and a ton of horror comics but DC wasn’t really my thing. However, that changed to an extent when I watched the Keanu Reaves’ Constantine film. It opened the door to the Hellblazer comics. I snagged a few one offs here and there and a couple collections when I was in college but my love for the character really came to be with the live action television show starring Matt Ryan.
This short lived series was absolutely fantastic but the cancellation was a huge disappointment for a lot of us fans. Luckily, Ryan was able to return to voice the character in several animated movies and shorts. A few weeks ago I received the press release for a new Constantine short called Constantine – The House of Mystery part of the DC Showcase. I was lucky enough to receive a copy a few days ago and quickly tossed it in when I could.
**Spoiler Alert** The film takes place at the end of Justice League Dark: Apokolips War where Constantine sends The Flash back in time to restore the timeline. However, this creates a paradox resulting in Spectre imprisoning him in the House of Mystery. Constantine, unable to accept his punishment, tricks Spectre into announcing his imprisonment resulting in three demons into freeing him in order to collect his soul which is exactly what he wants… **Spoiler Alert**
The House of Mystery is not a bad short but it is a big disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it but the fact that it is a little over 20 minutes long and doesn’t deliver an actual ending. It’s a poor sequel that has so much potential.
The voice acting is solid. The cast is fairly small but it’s great to see Ryan reprise his role as Constantine. The supporting cast is solid with a small role from Lou Diamond Phillips but Ryan is the star. The story for this one leads up to something so much bigger but it’s just a small step that leaves the viewer wanting so much more. Honestly, it’s 20 minutes that we don’t really need. It’s a stepping stone for something bigger, sure, but it’s also something we can live without.
Finally, the animation looks great. We get plenty of animated gore and the demons are fantastic looking. I also enjoyed the look of Spectre. Overall, The House of Mystery is a solid watch but it’s also a pointless short. I get that it’s part of the DC Showcase and serves as a sequel of sorts but it doesn’t really deliver anything for the viewer to grab onto.
