House of Anubis: A Television Series that Continues to Capture Hearts

A mystery-packed television series, House of Anubis (HOA) is a 3-seasons show that was aired from January 1, 2011, to June 17, 2013. Hans Bourlon and Gert Verhulst created the show based on the Dutch-Belgian TV series Het Huis Anubis. HOA introduced viewers to a world full of secrets, unexpected twists, epic escapes and friendships while giving them a taste of ancient mythologies. 

Ancient Egypt on the Big Screen

The series incorporates several references to Ancient Egypt, with the Eye of Horus standing out as the unofficial symbol of Anubis House. The eye’s stylised version is used in the series logo and can be seen when the show opens. It also appears in the sign at the entrance to Anubis House, in Nina’s locket, a wall in the main room, the Sibuna invitations and many other places around the house. 

This trend, where content creators in different entertainment spaces draw upon ancient mythologies such as the Eye of Horus to captivate modern audiences, has become popular. For example, in the iGaming industry, especially in online casinos, game providers captivate their audiences by tapping into timeless narratives and archetypal characters that resonate across generations. Through games like the Eye of Horus slot, providers allow players to journey through a forgotten sand-covered world focusing on the deity Horus while exploring Ancient Egypt’s treasures in a virtual environment.    

Series Plot and Character Development

The series introduces fans to an engaging plot where strange things happen at Anubis House. Joy, a popular character, disappears mysteriously, leaving no trace, and a new American lady is admitted to the facility. The facility’s caretaker has a stuffed crow, and the participants realise that the attic might be haunted. A team joins to form a group called SIBUNA, which is later thrown into a mystery coupled with love triangles, romantic tensions, secret passageways, etc.

Even though the House of Anubis was a low-budget creation, it ensured that the audience got to see characters develop progressively throughout the series. By the end of each season, you could not help but fall in love with the characters. The plot has the makings of a Steven Spielberg film, and the cast showcases good chemistry throughout different scenes. The widespread reception of the show resulted in an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.3/10 on IMDb.  

Reception 

According to TV by the Numbers, the series premiere averaged 2.9 million viewers for its first two episodes. A critical response by Youth Television News praised the story behind the series, suggesting that it was a good story that outdid repetitive sitcoms. According to reviews by IMDb critics, the series had some cringe moments, especially in the production, but overall, it was an enjoyable show. Fans even went on to make replicas of Nina’s necklace to immortalise the series.

House of Anubis was successful because of its engaging storyline and progressive character development. By adopting the Eye of Horus theme in its plot, the show continues to captivate mythology enthusiasts.