Remember Keanu Reeves as the cynical, demon-hunting exorcist from the 2005 film? That fan-favorite supernatural detective returns in a new ‘Constantine’ animated short, titled Constantine: The House of Mystery. This is not a typical superhero adventure; it is a grim, R-rated horror story intended for mature audiences (Constantine Enters The House Of Mystery).
For those unfamiliar, think of John Constantine as a magical, working-class Sherlock Holmes—if Holmes were a chain-smoking con man who solved supernatural crimes by outwitting demons instead of out-punching criminals.
What’s Included in the ‘DC Showcase’ Collection Besides Constantine?
While Constantine: The House of Mystery is the main event, it anchors a new collection from the DC Showcase line. Think of Showcase as a curated anthology of animated shorts, giving DC a chance to put the spotlight on characters who don’t typically get their own full-length movies. The Constantine short is the longest and is the collection’s headline act, but it comes packaged with three other distinct adventures.
This latest release offers a fantastic variety of genres, giving viewers a taste of the wider DC universe beyond the usual big names. The complete list of shorts included in the 2022 collection is:
- Constantine: The House of Mystery: The R-rated supernatural horror story that serves as the collection’s main feature.
- ***Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth!***: A wild, post-apocalyptic adventure featuring talking animals and futuristic ruins.
- The Losers: A gritty and action-packed World War II mission centered on an elite squad of soldiers.
- Blue Beetle: A fun, vibrant throwback to the classic, punchy superhero cartoons of the 1960s.
Why This Version of Constantine Is Considered the ‘Real’ Deal
While Keanu Reeves introduced many to the character, actor Matt Ryan is now inseparably linked to the role of Constantine. After starring in a live-action TV series, Ryan has become the go-to voice for the character in DC’s popular animated movies. For many fans, his signature cynical charm is Constantine, and his return here signals that this is the authentic, fan-favorite version of the trench-coated magician.
Further solidifying its ‘real deal’ status is the short’s R-rating. This isn’t a toned-down superhero adventure; it’s a full-blown supernatural horror story. The rating allows the film to embrace the darker themes from the character’s comic book history, delivering a grittier take on his world of demons and dark magic than we often get to see on screen.
While the plot picks up after the events of a previous animated film (Justice League Dark: Apokolips War), the short is crafted as a self-contained mystery. It uses that history as a launchpad, making it a perfect entry point for newcomers and a satisfying follow-up for existing fans.
How to Watch ‘Constantine: The House of Mystery’ Today
The collection, titled DC Showcase – Constantine: The House of Mystery, is available now on Blu-ray and for digital purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu.
This isn’t just another superhero story; it’s an entry point into supernatural horror and morally grey anti-heroes. The showcase offers a chance to explore the grittier, magical side of the DC universe, starting with its most cynical and compelling master.