The House of the Devil [Blu-ray]
The Horror Film of the Year available on Blu-ray.
Sam (Donahue) is a pretty college sophomore, so desperate to earn some cash for a deposit on an apartment that she accepts a babysitting job even after she finds out there is no baby. Mr. and Mrs. Ulman (cult actors Noonan and Woronov) are the older couple who lure Sam out to their creaky Victorian mansion deep in the woods, just in time for a total lunar eclipse. Megan (Gerwig) is Sam’s best friend, who gives her a ride out to the house, and reluctantly leaves her there despite suspecting that something is amiss. Victor (Bowen) at first seems like just a creepy guy lurking around the house, but quickly makes it clear that Sam will end this night in a bloody fight for her life…
2009 Top 10 List Selections:
TimeOut New York
The Onion
AMCtv
Sound on Sight
Ti West is starting to impress me the more I watch his films. First, he made a passable sequel to CABIN FEVER. Nothing too amazing but it was shockingly enjoyable. Then I bought a copy of THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL and find myself over joyed with the movie! Considering I’m a pretty big Horror fan myself, I totally can respect the idea and perspective of this Horror film. Obviously Ti West has seen the likes of THE SENTINEL, THE AMITYVILLE HORROR, SUSPIRIA and ROSEMARY’S BABY. It was a classic time in the Horror scene when films like those were being made. Mr. West here gives you a taste of that type of Horror made for todays audiences.
Basically, THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL is about two young girls who end up in a very bad situation. Samantha is a bright young College Student looking for work and ends up getting a babysitting job in an old mansion. So far as they know, two creepy old people live there but everything else about the job seems like a mystery. Right off the bat, something just seems a little “off” about the job, yet the pay turns out to be very high. So Samantha decides to stay. Her friend leaves. Things aren’t always what they seem, as it turns out she’ll be watching a creepy old lady instead of a small child. When finally left alone with the old lady in the house, the rest of the movie becomes an atmospheric exercise in classic supernatural Horror. Things quickly spiral out of control for our main character, eventually leading up to a horrifying Satanic ritual and a shocking ending.
I really liked this movie because it knows what it’s going for and it doesn’t make any mistakes. Gory scenes are used to shock and give the viewer a sense of terrifying realism. When you finally do get to meet “Grandma” (or whatever it was) at the end, it takes you to the very edge of fantasy but never over steps it’s boundaries. Gore Hounds, stick with this one! It’s a slow moving film but the death scenes are brutal, sudden and shocking. Not that a movie like this needs all the blood and guts to make it enjoyable. The story, atmosphere and pacing all make this one heck of a Horror film! I’m even willing to say this is a modern day classic. Right up there with THE OMEN and ROSEMARY’S BABY.
This movie works on so many levels. It’s the perfect film to show at a party or maybe when your just kicking it with a close friend on a dark and rainy night. Some of the death scenes might seem a little too brutal for some people’s taste, yet they are needed for the pure shock value that film like this has. Back in the classic days of Horror (the 1970′s and the 1980′s in my opinion) directors like Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci showed the gore in full bloody detail! It’s the way good Horror is and if you can’t stomach it, maybe you’re watching the wrong genre.
In the end, this movie sticks with you. Ti West might not be up to the level as say Fulci, but if he keeps making good Horror films like THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL and CABIN FEVER 2, I’ll be a fan for sure! Well done! This is a five star Horror film, no doubt about it!
I’ve said my bit. Over and out.
House of the Devil – A. Pierre – Somewheres
House of the Devil looks like a film from the 80′s, as it promises. The only problem is the movie is very slow paced and boring with little things happening from time to time but nothing could hold my interest. The ending was more of today’s horror rather then 80′s. I dont know who thought of that stupid trick of flashing images rapidly before a viewers eyes but I hate it and it needs to stop. Overall, i’d recommend watching the film at least once to see the fuss is all about. Everyone has an opinion and mine was, it did look like something from the 80′s but was very slow paced.
It was ok….. – Brian Nallick – Mpls, MN
…..just not great.
If you’ve seen “Rosemary’s Baby” then you’ve seen this movie.
I’ll admit, I liked this movie better than “Rosemary”.
I’ll cut to it.
What was good?
I like horror movies that build slowly.
This movie has a TON of atmosphere.
For that reason the movie deserves a five star rating.
The acting was fine, the direction was fine, everything was…..fine.
And that’s the downfall of this movie.
Everything is,
Fine.
Fine.
Fine.
There’s nothing that really elevates this film above “B” movie status.
The second half of the movie is when things really pick up but like I said,
everything from the acting to the directing to the FX and everything inbetween is so mediocre that honestly, the film as a whole really didn’t keep my attention.
There is such a prevailing feeling of “been there, done that” to this film that it really distracts from the overall enjoyment.
Sigh….get ready for a sequel if we can go by the ending.
I just don’t think it’s necessary.
“House of the Devil” is an ok movie and a decent way to waste a few hours.
Just don’t expect a film that will reinvent the horror genre.
“House of the Devil” honestly brings absolutely nothing new to the table.
I recommend a rental.
Add comment February 25th, 2010