The Horror Film of the Year available on DVD.
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 SightAt once a sly tribute to ’80s-era grind-house cinema and a remarkable exercise in suspense, writer-director Ti West’s House of the Devil is a terrific–and terrifying–horror film that can be enjoyed by genre fans and outsiders alike. West’s premise hinges on the “Satanic panic” that gripped America during the Reagan era–in a nutshell, the urban legend posited that secret devil cults were kidnapping and sacrificing individuals by the thousands–and melds it with the tried-and-true babysitter in an old dark house scenario. The house in question is the property of the Ulmans (cult faves Tom Noonan and Mary Woronov), and the babysitter (newcomer Jocelin Donahue) is needed to simply keep an eye on things–and an unseen mother upstairs–until midnight, when, coincidentally, a total eclipse will occur. But the chills that ensue–and there are plenty–are driven more by slow-building atmosphere than by the bloody effects that sum up ’80s shocks. That’s not to say that there isn’t gore on display, but it’s not the film’s raison d’être; neither are the nostalgic trappings, which are kept to a tasteful minimum. The end result is a genuinely unsettling horror effort that brands West as an indie director who’s more than capable of moving up to the majors. The disc includes two informative commentary tracks, the first by West and Donahue, and the other with West, producers Larry Fessenden (The Last Winter) and Peter Phok, and sound designer Graham Reznick; there’s also a pair of making-of featurettes and three deleted scenes, one of which, involving the Ulmans’ mother, is worth a look. The original trailer for House of the Devil, as well as spots for other Dark Sky releases, round out the extras. –Paul Gaita
Buy “The House of the Devil” For Only $14.95
March 26, 2008
#1
The movie indeed sets a very eerie tone and menacing feel much like many of the 1980′s horror films.
However, the pacing of the movie is problematic at best and the overall symmetry of the narrative is not proportionally attributable to a well developed narrative structure.
The early development is almost too overdone with the mundane with the payoff not being substantive enough for the time invested on the former. Narrative questions remain and the lack of exposition does not add to the sinister but to the underdeveloped.
The acting was very well done in general but the overdose of suspense in this case (yes, I know that is rare these days but suspense overdone is just as bad as a lack thereof) took away from the execution of the climax to the extent that the built up tension ultimately did not even matter.
To only utilize Dee Wallace as essentially an extra is a sin, you should know better, shame on you!
March 26, 2008
#2
While not as boring a “horror” movie as, say, “Let the Right One In,” be assured that “House of the Devil” will have you nodding off like a champ by, say, the 42-minute mark. Oh, and that thing about the movie being based on a true story is a complete joke.
On top of that, by now everybody who does not have their head up their poop chute should know that satanic cults are nothing more than fat guys eating cheese curls in their basement, listening to Slayer and playing D&D — and maybe plotting new ways to blow up fish in the family aquarium when mommy’s not in on the game.
But, boy howdy! If I didn’t adhere to a strict 1- or 5-star rating policy (because life is black and white, never gray), I would probably give this movie 2 stars just because of Jocelin Donahue, the hottest new actress to come along in years. Seriously, folks. I can’t wait for her to act in a real film. If you’re reading this, Jocelin, holler at me!
March 27, 2008
#3
This movie was awful, and I am a fan of the horror genre. It was boring to the point where I nearly turned it off, and kept checking to see how much time was left. All of the action was in the final 15 minutes, and at that point it was too late. It was poorly produced, and the acting was so horrible I thought it was a joke.
trust me – do not waste your money on this movie, it was terrible!
March 27, 2008
#4
I am only reviewing the movie here since the Blu Ray is not out yet. All I need to say is that this movie was fantastic.
March 27, 2008
#5
I’m surprised by all the gushing reviews for this movie. I am watching it right now, having rented it from IO for a whopping $6.45. Wooden acting, stiff dialogue, clear absences of a competent editor, and meaningless scenes create a boring movie. It seems that the creators of this movie fancy themselves as independent film types. Nothing could be further from the truth. I already mentioned that the script was stiffly written. “Ah, I see you’ve met. Excellent.” The lack of editing creates a slow pace that drags on and on. The star, who resembles Karen Allen, is lovely to watch but not exactly inspired, or a good actress.
Do yourself a favor- wait for it on HBO, but don’t pay to see this movie.