The House of the Devil
| release date | October 30 2009 |
| studio | Magnet Releasing |
| director | Ti West |
| writer | Ti West |
| starring | Greta Gerwig, Jocelin Donahue, AJ Bowen, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov, Dee Wallace, Mary B. McCann, Brenda Cooney, John Speredakos, Heather Robb |
| site | thehouseofthedevilmovie.com |
| trailer 1 | Trailer #1 |
2 Comments
I can’t believe how bad this was! It was extremley slow and builds up to about ten minutes of action. It was to late though, that last ten minutes couldn’t save this crap!
I actually typed up a well thought-out review for this movie… then decided it didn’t do justice to the way I truly felt about this film. So now I’m just doing a simple checklist that gets right to the point. Here we go:
1. The acting is fine. Everyone delivers in their roles and no one should be complaining about this particular part of the movie. Tom Noonan especially delivers in his role.
2. There was almost no suspense to be found in this film I thought. Which makes a massive chunk of the movie useless.
3. The overly long scenes of mundane crap started becoming annoying. I wasn’t bored, but I was getting aggravated that only a few interesting things happened in the first hour and 15 minutes.
4. Ti West is a weak script writer. Well that’s the feeling I got after watching this movie anyways. I kept thinking the only reason those scenes were so long was because he had no clue what else to write.
5. The ending comes up so friggin’ quickly I felt like I had just switched movies. Some people may like this approach, but I found it to be amateurish and forceful. Especially since the build-up, or lack of, did not lead well into the ending.
6. I found the ending to be good and goofy at the same time. Good in the sense that it was shot well and SOME feeling of dread finally crept into the film. Goofy in the sense that a whole lot of horror movie stupidity (which I can usually ignore) suddenly started popping up. It was so blatant that I actually thought Ti West might have put those moments in there on purpose (which he may have?).
7. You could watch the first 30 minutes of this film, skip the next 30 minutes, and watch the last 30 minutes and still have an idea of what was going on to lead up to this.
8. This movie isn’t bad. It just did not come close to the dread-fest I thought it would be. Maybe I’m expecting too much out of certain films these days. Who knows?
3 skulls out of 5
a good looking movie, with a long, slow buildup–and no real punch
Watching THOTD is like renting a late 70′s-early 80′s satanic horror film that just happened to be filmed digitally. Ti West clearly payed close attention when watching all the slashers, cult epics, and other low budget fare, and with this knowledge he has effectively gone back in time with the intention to indulge in retro nostalgia and even add some improvements.
The story is incredibly simple, almost too simple, but not without a heart. The film starts with an excellent, slow zoom on a young college student, Samantha, as she stares out a kitchen window, accompanied by an eerie score. Samantha is looking for a place to live by herself, being the kind of girl that would rather do things on her own, and not live with in an unkept dorm room with a slob of a room mate. She has come across a pretty good deal too. For one, Dee Wallace is her landlord, and will remove the deposit fee to help Samantha out. The only thing is, Samantha doesn’t have the money for rent the following week. Luckily for her, she notices an especially nondescript ad amongst all the others advertising the upcoming eclipse, which simply says “Baby $itter Needed,” or something like that. Being desperate for cash, she calls the number on the ad, and talks to Mr. Ulman, who comes off rather rather strange and secretive. She agrees to do the job, and has her friend Megan drop her off at Mr. Ulman’s home out in the woods. Let’s just say, things get weirder, and this turns into one baby sitting gig she will regret.
First things first, Ti West, who scripted, directed and edited the film, knows how to get you immersed. We’re not just strutting along with Samantha, excellently played by Jocelin Donahue, as she walks around her small, bland, and cold town. We get the feeling of what it’s like to have the new frustrations that come with youth, whether it’s monetary or socially. As cute as Samantha is, she is clearly a loner, who would rather listen to her Walkman than engage with your average partying 20 year old. Her best friend Megan is supportive, but to an extreme, going to the extent of acting out on in the name Samantha’s feelings in a rather immature way. But hey, what other friends are around in this oddly uninhabited small town during late Autumn to do anything for? Megan is performed by Greta Gerwig, who is always entertaining when onscreen.
But this is a horror film right? There is going to be scares and violence and suspense and all that creepy stuff right? Why yes there will be, but it’s approached in a way that you would never find in something more contemporary like SAW. For one, there is a nice, slow, atmospheric build up in the film the works for the most part due to the precise pacing and charisma of Jocelin Donahue. You will be reminded what it’s like to be in a boring small town, to be on your own with not much to do, and to be in a big, old, foreboding home that seems so far away from everything else that you may as well have signed your death sentence. However, I know many people will be thinking “Gosh, how much are we going to watch this girl walk around and look through windows?” Well, it happens a lot, but there are evenly placed moments of shock, violence and subtle terror that keep things interesting.
Not only that, I was compelled by the cinematography, which even though it’s nothing new or outgoing, it’s intrinsic to West’s attention to the small things, the little actions, and ability to make the build up before the carnage avoid the faults that plague older genre cinema directed by hacks or hired guns. Being a film junkie, it’s apparent West isn’t just a horror geek but a true cinephile who has gone through the bargain bin all the way up to the high brow, and with this large frame of reference- which the film most definitely is in a thankfully un-ironic or indulgently self aware manner- West has been able to focus on making his craft more mature than one would anticipate. That’s pretty clear when we get a reference to an actress who got big through Ingmar Bergman in a retro horror film.
The climax is where we run into some issues. The prior scene is effectively done with some nerve wracking anticipation, and the transition to it is simply frightening. This bridge to the point in the film where it becomes something completely different is a highlight. Unfortunately, even though the final act raises the bar and tackles a subject that is blatantly dated, it’s short lived, and shot in such a way where you know that West intended to change the tone and have the cinematography up on the level of action and violence, but it’s all done in a more annoying and incoherent way. The visuals are great, especially Samantha’s visions, but the story of it all is a little thin and not incredibly rewarding. The very ending is a bit illogical too, but gets points for being implicit, but it’s quite a hanger of an ending that will turn off plenty of people or get them thinking that West just needed to throw in a bit of ROSEMARY’S BABY.
Despite all of this, the thing I like the most about the film is it’s overall intention: To take us back when to a time when things were fresh, simpler, and although frightening, not so deeply nihilistic and cynical like most contemporary genre cinema. The story is dark and far from ending happily, but the you can sense the nostalgia and what those older times encompassed, which is something we don’t get very much in our modern world plagued by the vacuous vortex of pop culture and the endless flow of pointless information being digested by vacant mediated techno-slaves. Yeah, THOTD is pop for sure, but such a sincere kind of pop that might as well have came out in 1980, with all the same kind of flaws and strong points. Plus, it’s hard not to like Jocelin Donahue as Samantha and all the time we spend with her. She has the perfect look of a simple yet elegant beauty that you would hope to find in a film like this.
So, yesterday for Halloween you could have rented some old flicks, or seen one made today in the theater. I did the latter, and for the most part it was pretty fun. The film didn’t taste as bad as everything does for the characters in the film, wink wink.
very effective little chiller. those who are badmouthing it all seem to fall into the same ADD induced attention span. This movie works on so many levels and it is creepy. The pace is perfect for older style chillers (for which this is obviously an homage to)and the acting is top notch. who says a movie has to have buckets of gore and ridiculous scenes to be good. I like a lot of different kind of horror pics and this is a good one to me.
Loved the look of this movie. It looked EXACTLY like the late 70′s, early 80′s movies that I love! Would have gotten a better rating if there were a few more elements to build up the tension in the middle of the movie. The build up is extremely long, and once the action picks up at the end it moves WAY too quickly. Worth a watch, not sure about the replay value though.
Cool
Way too slow in parts and the climax is way to fast. not a bad movie but has no replay value in it. good for a rental!
Not bad but kinda slow.
Just finished watching this snooze-fest of a movie. There is only one really cool moment in the film for me, and that’s when the friend gets her face blown off. Other than that, this movie lacks any depth at all. The gore is good, but it’s over-all lack of story for the first hour that kills it. And if you do make it through the first hour, then the pay off isn’t worth the wait. Much like ‘Antichrist’, this movie could have been so much more……even Rob Zombie could have done a better job.
2/10
I had such high expectations and this movie was such a failure. I like the fact that it was portrayed as a oldies, with great acting. The problem is that the first hour and forty minutes is boring as heck. And then the last ten are action packed with absolutely no meaning. And the ending is highly predictable and doesn’t leave you shocked. I also hated how the movie was filled with scenes that took forever to make a point; such as a car driving down the road for twenty seconds until it finally turned in the driveway. Half the movie was filled with these long, pointless scenes. If I wanted to see cars driving on a road, I’d look outside. If I wanted to hear a girl go to the bathroom, whilst looking at the wooden door… I’d go to a public washroom. This movie had no point. It is, by far, one of the worst I’ve seen in 2009. I don’t recommend this at all, unless you want to waste almost 2 hours of your life.
As “house of the devil” begins the screen goes black and explains that the film is based on true events. During the late 70′s and early 80′s many satanic cults were in practice and a bit more. The film begins and a young woman names Samantha is looking around her new apartment. But even though the landlady gives her a break she can’t afford it. What follows are the opening credits. Now most films try the worn look to make their films feel aged and set in proper time period. Too be honest this is the only film I’ve seen like that that fully captures the era. We get a freeze frame of Samantha walking and the title comes up. From that point on I was fully interested in what would happen in this film. As it moves along she takes a strange babysitting job in the middle of nowhere. despite her better judgement they offer to pay her 400 dollars and she could really use the money. So she convinces herself too stay. I don’t wanna spoil anything for anyone. But it has to do with a satanic cult. The film is cleverly constructed horror film. It feels aged and the execution is nostalgic. Even the performances and framing of scenes make for an intriguing and creative experience. But don’t be mistaken this is a scary freaking movie. And as things begins to unfold it gets a bit chaotic but the whole 70 mins leading up to it are nail biting. It’s filled with a dread soaked atmosphere. you actually feel quite uncomfortable watching it not knowing what will happen next. The last 20 mins give you some payoff for all the buildup and although effective it looses a little of the class it’s kept for most of its running time. Nonetheless the film is an effective little nightmare.
As “house of the devil” begins the screen goes black and explains that the film is based on true events. During the late 70′s and early 80′s many satanic cults were in practice and a bit more. The film begins and a young woman names Samantha is looking around her new apartment. But even though the landlady gives her a break she can’t afford it. What follows are the opening credits. Now most films try the worn look to make their films feel aged and set in proper time period. Too be honest this is the only film I’ve seen like that that fully captures the era. We get a freeze frame of Samantha walking and the title comes up. From that point on I was fully interested in what would happen in this film. As it moves along she takes a strange babysitting job in the middle of nowhere. despite her better judgement they offer to pay her 400 dollars and she could really use the money. So she convinces herself too stay. I don’t wanna spoil anything for anyone. But it has to do with a satanic cult. The film is cleverly constructed horror film. It feels aged and the execution is nostalgic. Even the performances and framing of scenes make for an intriguing and creative experience. But don’t be mistaken this is a scary freaking movie. And as things begins to unfold it gets a bit chaotic but the whole 70 mins leading up to it are nail biting. It’s filled with a dread soaked atmosphere. you actually feel quite uncomfortable watching it not knowing what will happen next. The last 20 mins give you some payoff for all the buildup and although effective it looses a little of the class it’s kept for most of its running time. Nonetheless the film is an effective little nightmare.
I notice that many were put off by the slow pace of this film. Yes, it is very slow. It is also an Homage to an era of Horror Cinema where this was standard fare. The film is effective on every level, be it atmosphere, character building, suspense etc. I suggest everyone check this out. Just know going in that this is not a “thrill-a-minute” kind of film. The atmosphere and pace remind me of films like “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death.”
Good flick. I like all of Ti’s stuff. Breath of fresh air, reminds me a lot of early Polanski stuff i.e, Rosemary’s Baby, Repulsion etc etc. Can’t wait for a dvd release. Will def watch for years to come.
I got this on pay per view a couple of nights ago. I heard alot of good things about it and thought I would check it out.I really like it. It really looked like a film from the early 80s. So what if it was a little slow at the begining? It paid off at the end.I will definatly get the dvd when it comes out…
a pretty good well done movie
slow burner at its best.. very effective flick that just toys with the viewer.. doesnt have much replay value but for a first time viewing I was more then pleased.. plus samantha was cute as hell..
Sure it’s slow… but that just makes the intense moments all the more ejaculatory. The slow monotonousness of the movie enhances the intensity to the 10000000000th degree! Have the patience for this one… cuz it WILL pay off.
This movie is genuinely CREEPY, I will give it that! Didn’t dislike the flick, but I can see where it could have been a whole lot more. DEFINITELY suspenseful! I can see where many can be disappointed though!
Way to go Ti! This was the most realistic period film i have ever seen regardless of genre. Not realistic in the sense that the plot was believable. But in that you could sit any 80′s horror fan down, tell them this was made in 1986 and they would buy it. The cast seemed straight out of the mid-eighties, I mean down to there mannerisms and natural dialoge they nailed it! That being said either you got and appreciated that or you didn’t. I could see how a younger audience who couldn’t really appreciate the throwback vibe it gives could think it was too slow…. But I loved it. Why couldn’t this guy get his hands on Freddy, Jason, or Micheal Meyers?
They definitely did a good job in making this movie seem like it was straight out of the 80′s, but the plot just wasn’t exciting enough. He had some good moments but overall was a bit of a dud. I would love to see the Director try his hand at another movie though.
great cinematography and wonderful job at creating the 80′s all over again…other than this, the movie was extremely SLOW and dull. it’s one thing when a film moves slowly, building tension and leading to a big climax or whatnot, but it’s another when a film is just slow because it’s slow. the movie is basically 90 minutes of a girl walking through a house looking scared. the last 15 minutes aka the big revealing ending is just blah. nothing exciting happens, this probably would’ve worked a whole lot better if either it was say 75 minutes or just a simple 60 minutes masters of horror episode. it just did not work as a full film, and i don’t care what anyone says, it was dull.
I saw this movie over the weekend and loved it.This gives you a feeling of old school horror.I highly recommend this movie!!!!!!!!!!
FUCK YES!!!
It’s about time I’ve seen a movie that knows how to pace a film. With all the choppy editing, quick dialog, shaky cinematography and the overall ADD pace with horror these days..this was a HUGE breath of fresh air to see the return of classic horror film making.
Waste of time! it builds up slow and the grand finale is crap..i feel robbed
An ok movie… but ok is not enough.
Good parts:
Actors were all fine. The 80s feeling was hilariously brillant, especially the credits and the music. The plot was interesting, the house looked amazing, the scares were great.
Bad parts:
Too slow. MUCH too slow.
Usually I like slow-paced movies, but this was kind of too slow. The first hour was almost boring because of the annoying slowness and lack of anything happen. The twist was strange and a bit lame.
Additionally: 75 minutes of slowness, then suddenly 15 minutes gorefest. That does not satisfy.
Overall:
Disappointing. I recommend “Babysitter Wanted” which is similar to this one, but significantly better.
Bleh… Super boring. Like REALLY boring. One good kill near the beginning… The “twist” was pretty lame and I’m very easily entertained.
Great retro horror movie! Well shot, well acted, well made. If you just picked this up by chance, there is no way would think it was made in any decade other than the 80′s. It reminded me so much of the glorious memories of scanning the video store horror section before singling out a random video and watching it in my room late at night years ago.
I’m a big fan of slow burn horror flicks that make you geniuenly care about the characters before evil befalls them, and this defenitely fits the bill.
I understand that some people (actually, most people) will not appreciate this. Hell, I didn’t like the Roost, and despite hearing a lot of glowing praise, I was afraid that this would disapoint as well, but I’m happy to say my expectations were fulfilled. I just loved everything about it from the retro title card opening credits, to the brutal finale.
Can’t recommend this to old school horror fans enough!
This movies is a masterfully crafted homage to the 80′s horror movie expirence. This movie impressed me in every aspect from the acting, directing, to the cool use of sound and music. Although the story is not entirely orginal it’s in the journey that Ti West demonstrates his skill as a horror director. I was completely on edge, tense and creeped out despite it feeling a little familiar, there’s lot to admire in this film and all horror fans should definitely check it out.
I love the style of this film!
it delivers a beautiful atmosphere.
ok wow! I just watched this little gem.at first I really thought I wouldn’t like it but WOW! It was truly amazing but seriously I’m already dying for a sequel! It took so long to really get going but ended with a cliffhanger! I NEED MORE TI WEST! MOOOOOOOOOOORRRRREEEE!
Slow but not boring. The movie builds up very well but I was hoping for a better payoff in the end. I guess after reading reviews I was expecting for some really really crazy shit to go down. It was a little creepy but not enough. The build up ended up being better than the end especially the lighter scene was the best part imo. That was the only part that my jaw dropped out of shock. I love the 80s feeling to everything in the movie from the setting and clothes themselves to how authentic the filming itself looked like it was straight from that time period. Overall, a good watch just wanted a little more at the end.
I really liked this movie. I liked everything about it: the theme, the acting, the writing, the pacing, even the end credits. While the plot is pretty linear, it starts having more and more weird stuff happen until the climax and the “twist” at the end. The only thing I really didn’t care for about the movie was the characters. They aren’t unique, but they aren’t stereotypical. They kind of just are. The lead character is supposed to be kind of a Samantha Everygirl, but I didn’t feel like there was any real purpose to some of her actions. Overall, it was an excellent throwback to the 70′s/80′s horror movies I’ve come to enjoy so much.
Fucking amazing. They should of took the tagline off of paranormal and put it on this. This movie leaves you feeling all creep out and everything. And its cool how they pulled off the 80′s feel. Gotta love that. And gotta love TI for bringing back a true slasher flick. Good stuff. the writing was amazing, the acting was really believable. Good gore set pieces. Not over done. The music was kick ass. I might even buy this on DVD and get that whole VHS combo something I never do. Just because the movie is that damn well. Yeah some will bitch and moan that it’s slow. But it’s a kind of slow going movie that doesn’t bore you. Some movies just drag and drag and leave you feeling like whoa that sucked. But the pay off in this movie is FUCKIN BRILLIANT. KUDOS MR.WEST. You got two good movies on your plate so far. Can’t wait to see Cabin fever 2. Even though he disown it.
I feel a tad cheated on this one. I love the look and style of the film, but there is a difference between slow building suspense, and just plain uneventful. The last 40 minutes are great, and I suppose make it worth it, but man, the hype on this one was a killer.
Brought me back in time like a flash in LOST. A time when horror films were a true reflection of our culture.
Ti West is a genius.
I really enjoyed this movie.
Its probably not for everyone as the action is held off until literally the last 15 minutes of the film (aside from one kill early on).
If you can accept that you will have an awesome ride.
You will get to know the character and her motivations, and then you will be thrown into this situation with her that escalates into a crazy nightmare.
The House of the Devil captures the 70′s, 80′s feel to it. I seriously thought I was watching an old school horror flick from 1980. This mmovie was insanely creepy. It was also suspenseful, very. Some parts of the film felt very claustrophobic and, this as never happened to me, I felt like I couldn’t breathe at some parts. The house is very big but the way the camera was set up and some of the angles made the look of everything very claustrophobic and unnerving. All in All, The House of the Devil was a great film that should definitely not go missed. II highly recommend it.
Wow. Just wow. Ti West is a genius. I can’t believe this movie was made in 2009 because it looks and feels like it was made in 1979. This movie would sit comfortably on your shelf in between the original Halloween and Black Christmas. You know in the first 5 minutes when the retro style credits hit the screen that you’re in for something special.
This is slow paced but it’s worth it because the payoff delivers. Big time. A nice slow burn that cranks the tension, frame by frame as it nears it’s bloody climax. There is so much dread dripping from every frame it almost becomes unbearable as you just want Samantha to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. The acting is top notch, especially by Greta Gerwig. She’s extremely likeable, as is her room mate, and you really care for the both of them, so when acts of violence happen you are genuinely horrified. The camera work and editing are superb, bringing back memories of early Carpenter and just about every other horror director of the golden age. Tom Noonan is suitably creepy although he could have had a bit more screen time and it’s good to see Dee Wallace in a small supporting role. For people sick of the current trend of torture violence and break neck editing, this retro gem is a must see. Everything about this movie is a win. A true ‘lost’ movie from the age of when horror movies actually meant something.
Very good movie.
Wow I really don’t understand why people like this movie. Just because it’s made to feel like an old 80s film doesn’t make it good. Ya it was cool on how they did it but man this movie was boring as shit. I’m sorry I’m all for build up and stuff but man when nothing happens for almost 70 mins, I mean come on. The ending I will say was alright and kinda cool but that was it. All right people this is a homage to the old school 80s horror films but this is one of those that you don’t want to remember.
Excellent film.
Just got done watching this and I gotta tell ya, this movie sucked real bad. It’s boring as all hell and not a damn thing happens in the first hour or so. Once the action get started, if that’s what you want to call it, it lasts for about 15 minutes. This was a total waste of my time and I want the 90 minutes of my life back. I’m not understanding all the love being given for this piece of crap. Seriously, it sucked.
Ha ha! “Nothing happens in the first hour!” Gotta love bull shit comments like that. Fucking gore hounds. Sorry people aren’t getting brutally massacred the whole time. Maybe you should just stick to your torture porn I.V. and stop bitching about movies that actually have everything a solid horror film should equate to: style, character, tension and subtlety.
Suck my wiener; this movie rocked and did an amazing job of replicating it’s roots. Mad props, Ti West; I am now stoked for Cabin Fever 2.
If you’re looking for non-stop gore and action, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a smart, subtle, suspenseful good time, try “The House of the Devil.” Excellent film.
If you like slo-burn, Polanski-style horror, you’ll probably like this one. Does a pretty good job of replicating early ’80′s style flicks of this genre (including the awesome John Carpenter-style opening theme song). Way better than the director’s first film.
So Good So Much Fun One of My New Favorite DVDs
this movie was a boring piece of shit! the only interesting character is the old man who was portrayed with brilliance. but i had no remorse for the main character.
sure it has classic charm and was creepy but i feel like the payoff, well, didnt pay off.
This was a good entertaining film. Had a good creepy old style feel to it that Ti West put together quite nicely. But it was just to easy to know the ending. But this is a great homage to the satanic genre.
Scared The Shit Outta Me! Movies rarely do..I Loved it! It started slow but it got really good near the end.I loved the 80′s feel to it.
Not as bad as some people made it to be. Not as amazing, either. Definitely entertaining. The build-up was painless, so that’s always a plus.
Loved the ending and the style to the film.
And at least our protagonist wasn’t a dumbass.
Overall, not too bad.
Wow this movie sucked ass. I was really looking forward to seeing it and almost went to LA to see it in the theater- I’m soooooo glad I didn’t. I understand the “slow burn” idea but this was so slow and boring and predictable as hell. I agree with another review below that the only character I gave a crap about was the older man. His acting was almost good enough 2 turn this movie into something decent, if he was in the film more. I want my money back.
Fucking amazing. I loved it! I don’t get creeped out easily but this actually got my heart pounding a little faster. Very good.
Awesome.
House of the Devil is old school horror at its best. Great cast and tight direction and a creepy slow build that puts the viewer on the edge of their seats. I’m not still not sure how I feel about the ending but we’ll see how it works on future viewings.
new movie with an old school look and feel, can’t really go wrong. a few slow parts here and there but all around a good flick. characters are well written and you actually care about them and thats a nice change of pace from most of the stuff they vomit out. ending was questionable to some but i thought it worked out nicely
The 80′s are portrayed greatly in this film. The whole thing is surrounded by eeriness and the immense suspense build-up pays off at the end with a horrifying encounter with the satanic circle.
Never have I seen a movie where so little happens. Ti West does do an excellent job of capturing the 80′s feel, but this could easily be edited down to about 15 minutes without losing anything.
No suspense, no mood, no character development, no anything to keep me interested.
The House of the Devil (2009)
02/13/2010
The 1980′s were a golden age for horror movies, and many filmmakers today try to recapture that magic in their own films. Director Ti West’s film “The House of the Devil” is yet another example, and for the most part succeeds in his efforts. Making a period horror film for under a million dollars is in itself a great accomplishment. This movie is not without its flaws though.
The movie centers on Samantha, played quite well by Jocelin Donahue. She is a college sophomore looking to move into her own apartment and get away from the dorms and her inconsiderate roommate. Her best friend is Megan, complete with 80′s hair and attitude. Samantha replies to an ad for a babysitter and sets up to meet the man on the phone, but he stands her up. Being that there are no cell phones we get to see long lost items like pay phones and rotary phones, ahh that brings me back. The man calls Samantha the next day to apologize and to offer her more money. Megan drives her over to the house and they meet a tall older man with a cane. He comes clean that its not you average babysitting job and ups her pay. She accepts $400 for a few hours of work.
As you might have guessed the movie is called “The House of the Devil” for a reason. Instead of babysitting a child, Samantha’s job is to watch over “mother” who is in a second floor room. A great deal of the movie involves Samantha roaming the house and checking things out. Like most babysitters she’s bored has some time to waste. She calls Megan a few times but she has yet to return home. We see that Megan’s fate is one of films best and surprising horror scenes. This film has angered a lot of casual horror fans in the fact that there is not a lot that really happens. It’s a very slow burn type of story and very atmospheric. This makes the last fifteen minutes of the film that more intense. That family has something horrific in store for Samantha when they return. My biggest gripe with the film is the completely illogical final minutes. Maybe that has something to do with the 80′s time period but its just like, really?
All in all this film is made for a very specific audience and not many people will ever see it, but for director Ti West this is another stepping stone in what looks to be a growing career. He has most recently finished making Cabin Fever 2 and will be filming “The Innkeepers” soon. For horror fans he is definitely a talent to keep your eye on.
fun! awesome tribute to 80s horror. Excellent suspense and genuine scares. plus Tom Noonan and Mary Woronov!
Slow Burn!!!!!!
I didn’t think I would like this film, I figured it would be boring, but it has an interesting quality that keeps you from being bored and something always happens at the right time to keep the pace going. You care about the characters more than the average horror flick. The movie will bore A.D.D. kids but for the rest of us who have a brain that doesn’t get bored after 10 minutes of silence, you will enjoy this film.
This film accomplished what I think it aimed for. The vintage feel is introduced, it helps make the viewer sort of except it as reality. The film has a creepiness that slowly builds to a ‘oh-my-god-they’re-devil-worshipers’ climax. The only critique I have for this movie is the break neck speed in which it wraps everything up; perhaps lingering a little longer in a few more scenes. Overall, great movie! It reminds me of The Omen.
Samantha is a college kid getting her own place and has no money to do it with. she ends up answering a baby$itter ad and as it turns out, things arent as they seem… one thing i will say about this film that i rather enjoyed was the throwback feel of the 80′s. this film succeeds in making you feel like you went searching for a good horror movie and found this lost gem in the back aisles of a dilapitated video store, worn out case and all. i loved the opening credits and the music and the wardrobe, everything is covered pretty well to achieve this look from the old style grainy camera used to the old coke paper cups in one of the scenes. for most people, this movie will be extremely slow and boring because of the diliberate pacing of the middle part of the film. is starts off pretty good and creepy with the odd phone calls, but as soon as she enters the home and the hosts leave, the film starts moving at a crawl..it didnt bother me at all, since i love a slow build up, but the ultimate problem with it is the conclusion just doesnt pay off. needless to say, the final 15 min or so picks up when you find out the real reason for her being there..(although the beginning of the film will give you a MAJOR HINT) and it gets weird and somewhat creepy for sure, but the final few frames just doesnt make a whole lot of sense, i guess it is possible..but im just not buying it. overall a very interesting movie that just doesnt quite live up to the hype surrounding it.
I braced myself for a snore-fest having read about it’s the slow pace but I didn’t find the pacing slow at all because the story draws you in. The atmosphere and overall feel of the film is totally spot on. The performances are all great and the look of the movie is fantastic.
The house of the devil brings a totally 1980′s film style to it and is very creepy.
Score: 8.5
A young college student, Samantha, needs cash to get her own place, outside of the dorms. She has a living situation with her roomie. She finds an ad for a babysitter on the campus bulletin board and decides to look into it. The problem is… Whom she is going to work for is not who they seem.
Mary Woronov makes an appearance! and she looks great. She is such a solid b movie actress, and she can work her magic on such a film as HouseotD.
The retrospective form of the movie is almost spot-on. I give the creators major props for giving it the feel of the late 70′s /’ 80′s. Those who watch this film seem to embrace that factor and call it genius work. This is far from the truth.
The words displayed at the beginning of the film tell you exactly what to expect. So, what we have is plenty of roaming and more roaming until the “grand finale” which was spelled out for us already.
If you want nostalgic cinematic viewing – to watch a film that’ll take you back to the golden era, by all means check out House of the Devil. There is very little substance beyond the style.
4 out of 10
I so wanted to love this little homage to 80′s horror films. The opening credits were great as they screamed out all those cheesy credits and zoom shots. However as the minutes passed by I just kept waiting for something, anything to happen. Okay, finally Meghan gets blasted… Then nothing. Okay, finally we see the dead family… Then nothing. I kept watching the ticker go by on the dvd player… 45 minutes left, 30 minutes left, 20 minutes left. MY GOD!!! Let something happen. Then when it does, there’s just not enough there to cover for the first 70 minutes. Really, I want to like this movie, and don’t get me wrong. It’s not bad but I just can’t go gaga over it. If only the last 30 minutes so had really kicked it up I could’ve praised it heartily. Instead, I’m only left wanting so much more.
not as bad as i thought but still not great
Spooky slowburn fun!
A sooooper homage to 80s films and style and lot’s of creeper momentz to keep your mind poping till zee ends,
I really liked HOTD.
I heard so much about this movie. I was so excited to see it. The opening could not have been better, the old 80′s score, the title shot, the zoom, I loved it all! But as much as I loved the homage to the classic horror movies I still expected some excitement…some horror…some excitment, and I was completly let down.
I knew the movie was about some satanic cult ritiual and that could/should have been played up much more.
****SPOILER****
There was no real action (other than her friend getting shot in the face) until the end, and I really mean the end, there was literally less then 20 minutes left in the movie when the pizza man finally gets her tied up in the bacement to begin the ritual. The rest of the movie is her wondering and dancing around the huge house, which got boring…real fast!
I was disappointed to say the least. Like I said, I really did want to like this movie and even gave it a second chance and liked it even less.
Very good Reto-Horror-Movie!
Creepy and slow burning; with great Camerawork & a very good Finale.
Ti West is definitely someone to keep an Eye on.
8 out of 10
This movie is really a stylistic ode to the 1980s, both from a music and film perspective. This may lead you to think that the film is trite, but its actually not. This is not a real action-based film, but instead a study in mood and tension building. The actress Jocelin Donahue who plays a cash-strapped college student who takes an ill-advised and creepy babysitting job alone almost makes the film worth it alone. In the end, what really carries the day is the cinematography and shot sequences. Its really pretty clever. Its a good thing movies like this get made.
fucking terrible, boring nostalgia filled nonsense.
I found the film to be lazy, sloppy and insulting to 80′s cinema.
Not boring at all, I don’t get people saying that. The movie keeps a tense atmosphere that kept me sucked in and on edge until the end. And when the shit does hit the fan…bloody creepy goodness. Loved the nods to The Exorcist with the flash like cuts. Really cool!
Excellent Direction, Mood, Atmosphere, and performances all around. Especially from the always great Tom Noonan. Hopefully Ti West does another Horror Film.
Apparently, I missed the boat on why everyone loves “House of the Devil” so much. It felt like Ti West made a cool little short film and then decided to add about 45 minutes of filler for a movie-length release.
The best friend character totally rocked, though. I think I would’ve enjoyed the entire experience much more if she’d had more screen time.
awesome movie a great tribute to horror movies from the 80′s
“The house of the devil” may rank as one of the best horror films of the twenty-first century. It’s atmospheric, original, eerie, and immersing. To those who say that they weren’t involved or the pacing was too slow, it was meant to be that way. The director wanted you to grasp the atmosphere, he wanted you to feel the house, he wanted you to be immersed in it. I think what really stuck out was the phenomenal direction and pacing.
Aside from the direction and pacing, there was also very great elements to this movie. I thought the actors were likable and both had some depth. I also thought the script was strong. But what really takes the cake, are the last ten minutes. Even if you LOATHED the preceding seventy minutes or so, the last ten minutes, so make up for it. I have never been so grossed, terrified, and indulged in a sequence since “The Exorcist”. If there was an award for the best climax in a film, this would take the cake. I however, enjoyed the movie as a whole, but if the climax was weak, I would give this movie a 7 (which is still very good). But the climax, made me change the rating from a 7 to an 8.
“The house of the devil” will probably get a lot of backlash for its slow pacing and the fact that nothing really happens except for one scene towards the middle and the last ten minutes. Although, I think this film was made for intelligent audience members. Sure, decapitate someone’s head. That’s gross us out, but nothing to make me wet my pants. Ti West understands that horror fans are tired of the formulaic, tried genre and yet reinvents the horror genre like J.J. Abrams did with “Star Trek” for the sci-fi genre. “The house of the devil” comes as a strong recommendation. It’s atmospheric, moody, terrifying, and entertaining all at the same time.
d movie wuz grippin bt lackd d crucial execution wich scares or thrills d viewers…..eerie bt nt scary enuf…….it unfolds pretty well bt it is 2 slow…..
I thought the middle of the movie was the most intense part. I enjoyed the trip down memory lane provided by the beginning, and the end was a bit too quick, but fun. But the middle, when it’s just her in the house was nerve wracking. I found myself jumping at the sounds more than she was! I kept thinking, “what if her imagination’s really running wild and she ends up hurting an innocent person?” A decent film.
Very good
Slow brew horror at its best, “The House of the Devil” is likened to “Rosemary’s Baby”, and rightly so, though the latter is still superior to it in many ways. Ti West’s work is a testament to the understated and restraint craftsmanship that is defined as too slow and too boring by other viewers. All there is to it is West’s meticulousness and even affecting direction that nods back to late 70′s chillers. It is neither campy nor cheesy, but rather like an actual film that just got lost, but now found, amidst the forgotten past. Excellent film with an atmosphere that drips with evil, it is a languid, slow-paced dreamy horror whose conclusion is blood-soaked and moonlight-dreanched in the cemetery.
wow
I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the 80′s feel and really enjoyed watching the movie reach it’s tense climax. Very well done!
I really loved this movie. I couldn’t believe how well the 80′s feel was done. it really felt like i was watching a movie from the 80′s. i loved the slow burn, and Jocelin Donahue is absolutely adorable. all in all, this is probably my second favorite movies ive seen in the last year.
I could have swore I reviewed this…guess not. Anyway THOTD is a great homage to the 80′s. I loved the characters and the plot. It was creepy and the atmosphere is great. I was extremely excited about this movie when I heard about it and eventually got scared it wouldnt live up to my expectations but it sure did. Ti West is awesome!
MrDisgusting pretty much summed up how I feel about this one. I couldn’t be more pleased. The late 70′s early 80′s feel of it was genuine in all accounts and had me grabbed before the beginning credits rolled. Obviously an homage to classic Satanic cult genre films like SATANS BLOOD and SATANS SLAVE but executed with more class, talent and general know-how that makes it really stand out. There’s great atmosphere, an old school story full of suspense that builds as the film moves on and even includes a few unexpected shocks (“Are you the babysitter?”). Simply put it’s brutal, bloody and brooding. Ti West put forth one hell of an effort. I like a slow burn from time to time and this one delivered.
A Throwback to horror movies with real thrills and chills! The House of the Devil skips all the horror cliches and delivers a throwback to the eighties. It’s slow buliding to its intense final act is a creppy journey. The House of the Devil is a must see for horror fans who love old-school horror. So grab your popcorn and turn off the lights and enjoy!
I was really enjoying the movie until the last 3 minutes. If that last scene wasn’t added and the film just went to black right after that important scene, I would have given it an 8/10.
Your enjoyment of this film will hinge a great deal on whether or not you enjoy watching the lead (Jocelin Donahue) on film. Personally, I did.
You know I don’t understand how some people love this film but hate Session 9. Oh well. Personally I liked both. I was not crazy about this film like some, but can easily understand why most people are. It has great atmosphere, locations,set designs,score, and costumes. All which come together perfectly and make you feel you are watching a film made in the eighties. Ti West has a natural ability with a camera. The plot is not complex but creepy dealing with a subject that really exploded in the 80′s( Satanic Ritual Abuse Syndrome). And thats where my beef with this film is. Dealing with this subject, this film could have been truly terrifying and full of despair. It simply fell a little short for me. Ti West is going to have a great career. I just think he would be better Directing and do a little less writing. There were a few scenes that seemed pointless and kind of dragged on. Overall a good film worth checking out. Wouldn’t recommend buying it though.
Sometimes less is more. While I love modern Horror films like “The feast” trilogy I think that they just try so hard to fill the screen with gore and cool deaths that they miss the point. Here the whole polt is much simpler but it manages to remain highly effective. There are actually hardly any twists and turns and basically the whole movie builds up tension up to the last scenes.
Jocelin Donahue has the leading as role Samantha, the classic broke University student who ends up taking a babysitting job from a mysterious man on a completely isolated mansion.He pays her a ton of money so you can see the catch that is about to unfold. The mid section of the film is basically Samantha wondering around the house and getting ready to receive the obvious bad surprise which comes nead the film’s ending.The ending is nice providing the film’s unique twist and serving the whole experience perfectly. It doesn’t explain everything up but sometimes it’s for the better I think.
As you can imagine the plot is nothing but unique but the movie is so full of style that manages to create a very good and creepy atmosphere. Basically anybody who enjoys the 80′s will find lots of stuff to love there since the movie plays like a lost 80′s flick. The performances overall are great with Jacqueline Donahue fitting the role nicely. Greta Gerwig as Megan the main character’s best friend litteraly steals the show and should have taken more time on screen. The whole setting while simple and basic is a work of art and even the starting credits give you this weird feeling old James Carpenter’s films had.
Overall if you expect gore and buckets of blood you will be disappointed but if you want to see a smart movie in the steps of classic horror you should absolutely check this one out…
This was probably the most original – great horror film I’ve seen this year. This was really well thought out and creepy. The old man’s voice just made me want to stop watching but I continued anyways.
It makes me angry when directors/writers/editors like Ti West get very little recognition for their works like this.
A Complete Waste Of Time.
I really had high expectations for this movie from the start. The cinematography was amazing and really pulled you into the setting. The bad thing was nothing really ever happened. Besides one good kill, this movie just fell flat. All the build up really didn’t pay off, for what I considered a pretty lackluster ending. I will say that this movie had a look I haven’t seen in years. Its just too bad they didn’t have a stronger story to go with it. I can see how this movie would need an acquired taste.
The throwback to the 80′s style horror got a lot of people enthused and I was part of that excitement as well–until I paid $19.99 and watched the dvd–a bit of a letdown after that. The movie definitely has the 80′s nostalgia, hair, clothes, verbage, horror movie style—but a boring movie is a boring movie no matter what icing is put on it. Now, this isn’t a bad movie, but slow-pacing loses it’s luster when it just seems to go nowhere. The ending is just not all that either–kind of an eye-roller and a letdown after patiently watching to see if anything chilling would ever happen. Too bad–this could have been very good if it had some pulse to it. I would say don’t buy it, rent it (just gave my $19.99 copy to a buddy today and he said he already saw it and didn’t think it warranted all the great reviews–felt bad for offering it to him).
I wanted to like this movie, as it does have many good points to it. The retro feel is awesome for one…they did a good job of making the film look like it really was set during the early 80′s. The acting was another plus as the cast did a good job, especially the blond “best friend”. I also enjoyed the slow build the movie had…it took it’s time to introduce everyone and to set the stage, which is more than many movies do these days. But once the film finally did start moving into horror territory, that’s unfortunately where it let me down. One main reason…the editing SUCKED! It was so bad, that it turned an otherwise horrific scenario into pure camp. Was this intended??? Two of the worst scenes involved a man taking a knife in the neck while standing up…but being inflicted by a girl sitting down on the ground! How exactly does that work? Apparently she’s related to Mr. Fantastic? The second worst scene had a villain taking a knife in the lower back, then proceed to fall dead almost instantly with blood pooling up around the head(?!?). Upon learning the Ti West was also involved in The Roost…it made more sense, as that movie is the most overrated piece of crap horror films I’ve seen in years. House of the Devil had a lot going for it with atmosphere and retro feel… but it really needed someone better suited to keep the realism while things go bat shit crazy on screen. The lack of attention (skill?) to details really drew me out as a viewer.
This is a very cool little movie. I’m going to have an eye on Ti West to see what comes next.
Totally captures the 70′s babysitter alone vibe with a little twist. Felt like I was a kid again, watchin’ this on late night t.v.
Hey, it’s not perfect but definitely worth a look.
A fantastic, creepy,atmospheric, slow burn…..loved it!
I hate it when you have to try and like a movie! And I tried to like this movie. The first act started of with so much promise that I could not believe I never heard more rumblings of this movie. The director did a masterful job on the look and the feel of the movie. The lead actress was a little hottie and I did not mind watching her on screen, but the second act just dragged on to the point where I started to lose serious interest (Like Candyman). The movie is an hour and half, the first 35 minutes was the first act, then next 80 minutes was the second, and the final act seemed like ten minutes—WITH NO PAY OFF!!!!!!!!!!!! Major let down!!
definate vibe of an 80′s horror flick…..with out the horror. the ending sucked ass, there was no tension, nothing. I wanted to like this movie went out of my way to see it, lost 90+ minutes of my life that i will never get back
i enjoyed this movie very much. It did have its flaws but altogether a solid movie.
Fucking brilliant. I had a giant smile on my face during so many of the excellent camera moves/zooms/pans, and my wife was scared shitless most of the time. Though the ending isn’t satisfying, it’s very much in line with the type of film West is mimicking.
Stellar 80′s vibe on this one! While the set up takes longer than it should and also struggles at points to build tension(samantha spends way to much time dicking around in the house doing nothing but padding the running time). There are two jolting moments in particular that come out of nowhere and they both occurred when I was beginning to get frustrated with the pacing; needless to say they were wonderfully executed and put me right back in the pic. Once the suspense is established House of the Devil becomes the scary nail biter it’s trying to be; with a bloody climax that’s partially deflated by some questionable editing. Worth seeing; a good chiller despite its flaws.
i really like how the movie stays suspenseful, and the 70/80′s feel to the movie. one good bloody scene, and the female lead is fucking really hot, but overall, nothing really happens. pretty predictable the whole way through and that sux. i would give this movie a look though as it is entertaining.
An atmospheric and tense thriller that holds your attention and cements it further with a finale that will take you down memory lane. Awesome homage to the old school horror flicks of the late 70′s and early 80′s. A very chilling experience!
This movie was slow paced but became excellent.I hope a sequel is planned.Noonan is a weirdo in every role he does.
I really loved the way this film was shot and it kept me entertained the entire time. It’s a bit of a slow burner but the ending is just so batshit insane that it made up for it. I highly suggest this.
there’s some great creepy “older” villians in films – PHANTASM, DR PHIBES,The doctor in HUMAN CENTIPEDE – and now, the old guy in HOUSE OF THE DEVIL.
Much like the bumbling neighbor in ROSEMARYS BABY, the ” man of the house ” seems innocent enough at first, but you just know he is one whacked out geezer.
This is a n excellent film that is so well done, it needs to be seen – for those brought up in the late 80′s and 90′s the gore level – or lack thereof may bore them, but for those who like their horrors built up, this film is a must see
This movie is great. Very 70ish style horror that is spectacularly done. The last 20 minutes are probably my favorite part of any horror film.
Oh, my god… This movie fucking blew! My daughter and I are huge horrorphiles and felt like we were being tortured to death by sheer boredom throughout this entire film! What a waste of what looked in the opening sequence to be Grindhouse homage excellence! And, of course, the trite, contrived, and oh, so predictable ending… The HellKitten had this one nailed from the start. The best part of this flick (BESIDES the rolling of the end credits)? Getting to explain to the Kitten what life was like with rotary phones, pay phones, no cell phones, no GPS, UNenhanced 911, and delivery pizza from hell! Ahhhhhh… The good old days…
AMAZING!!! What a pleasant surprise. I was told any fan of the original Black Christmas (my favorite horror movie ever) would love this movie! Just caught it last night and….out*freaking*standing!! Better than mindless gore movies, typical anti-hollywood survival movies, or ridiculous remakes!! It’s up there with Let The Right One In, Martyrs, Trick r Treat, and Shaun of The Dead as my top 5 horror movies of the last decade (2000-2009) ^___^
I thought this movie was great. I like the old movie vibe that this movie has. This was recommended to me from a friend who also loves horror so I had very high expectations, and it didn’t disappoint.
I felt The House Of The Devil was a brilliant film. It really holds true to the horror movies of the late 70′s and early 80′s that used a heavy slow setup to build to a terrifying climax.
I’m not entirely sure what year the movie was supposed to take place, but judging from the technology, wardrobe and hairstyles, it looks like around 1983. One of the biggest problems facing a horror writer today is how to separate an individual in the modern area of cell phones and instant contact. Setting this film during this time took care of that, but it wasn’t the only reason that the film makers seemed to choose it. The late 70′s and early 80′s were ripe with Satanic stories and quasi-fairytales, and it based it’s plot off of these tales.
This won’t be a movie everyone enjoys, and to get the full impact of what’s going on, you must be prepared to endure a long setup with slight character interaction that builds the basis for why the Main character, Samantha, needs to take this job of babysitting out in the creepy Victorian home in the middle of no where to begin with. But, if you’re patient, and not looking for popcorn fodder, this will be a movie you will surely enjoy. It’s paced pretty well, and other than a subpar ending (which the films from the time period that inspired this one were rank with) it’s a great movie.
awesome movie!
I really liked this movie, I think its one of the best out of 70s/80s horror throw backs in recent times. I think there is some great character development at the begining, it slows down in the middle but the last 20 minutes is really chilling and great!
AWESOME, personally i prefer this type of horror to the crap like saw
A long slow build up to 30 minutes of mediocre horror. The ending was a poor attempt at a shocking twist. At that point I really didn’t care how it ended. The premise and 80′s feel was good, the atmosphere of the house was great, and the old couple was interesting and well portrayed. I just wish they would have gone deeper with the Satanists, their beliefs, insight into the rituals, and individual characters and history. They spent too much time setting up the young heroine, her background, and her own situation in the house. Decent movie overall but does not deliver the payload. I don’t recommend it.
1st half was creepy, suspenseful and really evoked the spirit of the 1980s
2nd half was just predictable and boring. The ending was really a waste, had boring gore and a REALLY LAME twist ending you’ll predict 10 minutes early.
It’s very difficult to make an effective horror film in my book. I’m a huge fan of the genre but in order for one to really earn my praise, it has to be pretty damn good. Ehh or ridiculously gory. That’s a different form of appreciation though. Anyway, some of my favorite horror films are the original Halloween and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. They’re gritty, dark, and nasty films that work extremely well and pull off exactly what they set out to do. Scare the living shit out of us. Many diehard horror fans covet the films of the past and judge the new arrivals harshly. So what happens when a filmmaker decides to do a serious throwback film and pulls it off extremely well? House of the Devil is what happens.
The initial setup is pretty routine for a horror flick set in the 80′s. There’s a college student in need of money so she takes up what she believes is going to be a babysitting gig against her best friend’s wishes. Back then, I swear it seemed like horror movies were completely against anything having to do with childcare. It turns out the she will actually be watching over a sick elderly woman as Mr. and Mrs. Ulman leave for the evening to witness the lunar eclipse. Strange things begin to happen around the house and her friend is not answering her phone. I should have picked it up from the title but I wasn’t exactly sure what type of horror I was getting myself into. The title says it all though. It’s a spiritual horror and a damn good one at that.
Even though it is a throwback to films past, nothing about it seems recycled or hokey. It’s not poking fun at the genre or time period of cinema, not at all. It is simply portraying a new story that could have easily been a hit back in the day and should be seen and respected today.
Now, it’s not a flawless film and it’s not exactly breaking any new ground but I really enjoyed it. I was tense a lot of the time and loved the entire last half and the ending (possible sequel?). The acting was surprisingly wonderful as well. Not that I was expecting it to be bad, I just usually don’t expect too much from horror actors. I was overjoyed to see Tom Noonan (Synecdoche, New York) as Mr. Ulman. He specifically does a terrific job along with lead actress Jocelin Donahue.
Writer/director Ti West is definitely someone that I’ll keep my eye on. He knows what he’s doing with his film and managed to pull it off with the most authentic feel possible. Fingers crossed that he has another one up his sleeve.
The 80′s was – whether you liked the decade or not – the golden age of modernized horror. It was then that we got “classics” such as “Friday the 13th” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (although that one can be called a classic without the hint of sarcasm in the parenthesis). It was a time that influenced many modern horror filmmakers; among the notable examples of those influenced being Eli Roth and the independent filmmaker Ti West. I imagine there are two sides of the 80′s when it comes to horror cinema. Roth admires and lives by the side that presents the audience with a combination of the ol’ blood-and-boobs. West, however, appears to see the other side that is seldom explored. There are many horror movies from the 80′s that I like and even love; whilst there might be even more that I hate. While I can somewhat appreciate that sleazy feeling that Roth is trying to re-invent (and has been ever since he started his career as a director), I definitely prefer the approach that West takes with most of his films over anything else.
Speaking of Ti West, you may be asking, who is this guy? He directed “The Roost” and “Trigger Man”; to seldom-seen, seldom-talked-about, presumably underrated horror films. Then, he went on to direct “The House of the Devil”; a spooky, atmospheric throwback to the personally preferred entries of an era that had its ups-and-downs. What I like about this film is that it abandons all clichés, tackles familiar subjects in familiar territories, but ultimately comes out a success. I may love it more than most will. I know plenty of people who find it slow, tedious, messy, and overall just boring. I can understand why they would feel this way; they may have never been introduced to Hitchcock. They were born and introduced to underground sleaze. This is unfortunate, because real horror and real thrills are created by masters; skillful filmmakers who make a name for themselves out of their work. I am not quite sure if West will become the next Hitchcock, but damn, this is a mighty fine film. There are so many reasons why, and I’m not sure if I’ll get to all of them in one review, but I’ll get to what I can. This is a hell of a watch.
The film’s set-up is so simple that it’s, well, ingenious; or at least, in my image, it can be seen this way. The decade of choice is, as said, the 1980′s; and the leading lady of the film is Samantha Hughes (Jocelin Donahue). She’s a college student hoping to move from her mediocre, sex-addicted roommate-infested dorm to a nice, affordable, competent apartment. She connects well enough with landlady (Dee Wallace, in an appearance you won’t want to miss); and it looks like things are going to work out. Cut to Samantha walking away from the scene, happy as can be. She puts some earphones on. Music begins to play. Cue the radical retro opening credits.
After thinking about just how awesome that opening was, I’m back. So let’s get back on top of things. Samantha is facing a bit of a crisis; the landlady kindly gives her time to come up with the money to pay for her new apartment, but she needs a fine a way to MAKE it in the first place. Samantha scouts the college campus for job offers or advertisements, and finds one in the form of an ad for a very-much-wanted babysitter. She calls up the one who put the paper on the bulliton; after some complications, he reveals his name to be Mr. Ulman. He is played by Tom Noonan, although we won’t know that until we meet him, which shall be soon enough. Samantha decides to ask her slightly unsupportive and apathetic stoner friend (Greta Gertwig) for advice, and gains nothing in the way of new wisdom or knowledge. However, this same friend does accompany Samantha to the house of the Ulmans once she finally makes her final decision; and that is to take the job. However, upon arriving, Mr. Ulman shares a word with the heroine; she is not “babysitting”. She will be “mother-sitting”. Yes, you heard right; apparently Mrs. Ulman’s mother is locked upstairs, rarely making much of a sound, but needing attention from time-to-time nonetheless. After the man of the house offers Samantha a large sum of money, she agrees to take the job for what it is. Her friend, however, is distressed and leaves. Samantha stays, and as the night progresses, she gets increasingly bored and decides to explore the large Ulman house.
But wait…something does not seem right. Samantha’s stoner friend is not picking up the phone when she calls (her answering machine is a fraud; you’ll know what I mean when you hear it). The wooden floors upstairs appear to creak from time-to-time. There is a lunar eclipse on that very night, but Samantha could care less. In fact, she and her friend have an entire conversation early on in the film about how stupid all this eclipse stuff is. They don’t think much of it; or much of anything, for the matter. But this is what makes them work as characters; two normal girls who eventually get mixed up into an unmentionable and uncomfortable horror situation; that, which I will not spoil or say anything about.
I consider myself a horror fan. I watch a lot of horror films; and unlike most fellow all-around film buffs, I don’t just watch a lot of them in the month of October. All year round, I am forever exploring. I can’t help but recall some very good movie-watching memories whenever I re-watch “The House of the Devil”. I’ve seen it a few times now and its effect never wears off. It’s slow-moving, but it’s well-worth the wait once the classic “fifteen-minute climax” has begun. It reminds me of favorites such as “Suspiria”. Oh, what a great feeling.
In the end, I just really dug the retro feel; West really captured the era in this one. The music choice is quirky; with some very creative original music that only adds to the moody brilliance of West’s directorial vision. He focuses on his house, his twist ending, and the overall horror of the situation. This is pure tension. I loved it; one of my favorite films of 2009 and one of the best genre pictures of the past decade. I wish I could say more; but it would appear that I’ve said enough. I spent a lot of time describing the plot, and I didn’t spoil too much for you. You should be grateful. Now you can go into this film and not know what to expect. Is it a haunted house movie? Are their creepy-crawlies? Are their ghosts, demons, or ghouls? You’ll just have to find out.
Ti Wests “House Of The Devil” is the perfect recipe for anyone who grew up watching late 70s earlt 80′s horror films. It’s also the perfect film for those sick of the so called (and poorly named) “torture porn” sub genre of horror. West is able to create a slow paced atmospheric, sometimes maddening effort that pays off, big time, in the third act.
Jocelin Donahue plays Samantha a poor college student desperate move out of her dorm room, away from her messy, slutty roommate. She accepts an apartment from land lady Dee Wallace (of Cujo fame), with the understanding she needs 300 bucks by Monday. It’s Wednesday and she currently has 88 dollars. Hence her dilemma. Luckily she spots a babysitting flyer posted outside her door. After some curious delays, she finally agrees to the job despite the protests of her friend Megan (in a show stealing performance by Greta Gerwig…more on that later).
Later that evening Megan drives Sam out to the middle of no where (never a good sign) to meet the “parents” of her new charge. Ignoring the creepy vibe, Sam follows Mr. Ulman in the kitchen who proceeds to tell her that it his not his child she will be watching but his mother -in-law. Sam is at first hesitant, but agrees after some monetary haggling. Sam convinces Megan all is well, so Megan leaves. Sam has a creepy interaction with Mrs. Ulman, but she and her husband soon leave as well.
What follows is about 45 minutes of slow build up that teases terror at every possible moment until the tension becomes almost maddening. What West is able to do here is exude a patience that is seldom seen in today’s “blow something up now” cinema. His slow build is to be commended, although it will not be loved by all movie goers. It truly is a film you must lose yourself in.
The tension wanes as Sam becomes more comfortable in the house, she begins exploring, watching T.V. and even takes some time to order a pizza. She begins to frolic around the house until she breaks a vase – and it sets Sam back on edge. Now she notices every noise. She thinks back to things that were said to her by the Ulmans before they left. Something just doesn’t add up. Now she begins exploring with a different purpose – to unlock the mysteries. Unfortunately, as the third act shows us, she will not like what she is about to find.
The film is set in 1983 and West does a great job of enveloping the audience in the feel of the era. Every thing from the rotary dial phone, to the walkman with the orange head phones that was the size of the brick, gave the film a sense of authenticity that many indie films strive for but ultimately miss the boat on.
The direction is steady and subtle, as is Wests screenplay. Donahue channels her inner Olivia Hussey in conveying her innocence and quiet confidence. Tom Noonan as Mr. Ulman is, as always great. West was able to talk horror legend Mary Woronov out of retirement to play the equally riveting and creepy Mrs. Ulman. The movies real star however is Greta Gerwig, she is likable and charming as Sams best friend in an unfortunately too small role. Gerwig went on the be as equally charming as Russell Brands would be girlfriend in the 2011 re-make of Arthur.
Until the third act hits, the film is and exercise in patience. West does a very good job of executing the payoff, but again this technique might alienate some viewers. For those that love a slow burner, this is the film for you. If your favorite movies include any of the Transformers movies or the Fast and the Furious films, you might want to skip this.
**** out of 5
highly recommended
http://riotonsunset.blogspot.com/2011/10/house-of-devil-2009.html
Oozing with style, this retro film really delivers. It makes you long for more and it’s slow burn pacing is absoultely perfect for the film. Highly reccomended.
I love occult themes and while it took a long time to lead up to the climax of the film, there were some genuinely creepy scenes. I also thought it was cool to have Dee Wallace play the landlady, which made it feel even more like the 80′s for me.
The atmosphere is amazing, shows that you don’t need gore to make a good movie. But it was too slow. Could be worse, could be “Blair Witch”, and nothing could have happened at all.
Set in the ’80s, but I swear, I just stepped back into what magic horror had been in the ’70s, mixed in with the brutality of today’s movies.
This movie is a definite slow burner, it’s so slow to start, and while a lot of people get bored and can’t focus because of this, what with they’re ADHD and such, I found myself biting my nails. I haven’t felt this tense for horror in a long time… not since John Carpenter’s Halloween. The movie feels PG-13 right up until the climax when BAM, it slaps you in the face and gets effed up.
Watch it, right until the end. This is almost perfect. And it is going to shock you 2 or 3 times, no doubt. Those shocks you get… those are the definition of shock.
Here’s a superbly crafted film, from a technical standpoint. This looks and feels exactly like an early 80′s flick. I was drawn into the movie by it’s slow buildup. It spent a LOT of time generating atmosphere and mystery and I liked that. However, the film spent so much time creating the look and atmosphere that it forgot to add in the suspense and the finale is just disappointing. All that time spent for this? Great effort, but lackluster ending.