A pretty interesting throwback, even if the climax is a bit of a letdown. That said, it's a masterclass in suspense and tension and all of those other Hitchcockian terms. It's also admirably restrained and subtle for a horror film these days, even as it uses gore to its utmost shocking and aesthetic end.

Plus Donahue, while remaining pretty cute, does a pretty good job balancing the light (her Walkman-induced dance through the house) and dark (covered in blood and screaming) parts of the film. She even looks like the lead in Suspiria, making for some interesting comparisons to that work.

And Tom Noonan! Fuck, man. He's creeped me out ever since Manhunter.

I knew you'd like it.


Now check out Behind the Mask: Rise of Leslie Vernon.

One of these days, I will.

A cool idea for those who like this movie:

http://www.amazon.com/House-Devil-VHS-D ... UTF8&s=dvd

THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL - 6/10 (B-)

It was very cool how it was styled after movies from the late 70's/early 80's. If you didn't know any different you really couldn't tell this wasn't from that time. The movie itself is just decent. The set-up is good, and the finale is quite solid, but the middle drags like a motherfucker. This could have made a much cooler short film.

As is, it's not bad, but because of its slow pace I wouldn't really want to watch it again. I loved Greta Gerwig as Megan though.

Yeah, I found it rather boring. The style was spot-on and the music was good but nothing really happens for too large a portion of the movie.

Very solid, retro horror film. The atmosphere and tension is amazing. There's a sense of despair and subtle terror in every shot. Writer/director/editor Ti West builds suspense with the ease and skill of a master. I adored the long scenes following the protagonist (Jocelin Donahue) as she investigates the house. You, of course, expect a macabre surprise around every corner, but, more often than not, there are only more shadows. A feeling of impending doom builds and builds ("ugh...ugh...this is bad...don't go in there...!") and, by the end, I was gripping my chair tightly. And when there is violence, it is violence you won't soon forget. The identity of the first victim isn't surprising, but the method and speed of his/her death blindsides you.

My only complaint: I thought the last 15 minutes, while exciting and well-shot, were too rushed. They felt bused in from another, more mainstream movie.

Otherwise, this delivers the goods.

B+

I concur.

There were creepy moments and it really picks up at the end. Unfortunately, it is to slow for most of the film and somewhat boring as well.

The end was when it lost steam and became a bit generic, fools.

B


Horror movies that claim to be a throwback to the 70s or the 80s are dime a dozen. Only a few, however, fully achieve that. Most of such “throwbacks” just use some of the old school elements and mix them with what modern fans of horror expect from a horror movie. Ti West, the director of The House of the Devil has gone the whole way, though. This movie is a true throwback to the horror of the late 70s/late80s. That starts right at the movie’s simple babysitter-in-peril plot. The movie begins with a text talking about widespread Satanist rituals all over the USA during the 1980s. Samantha, a young college student in financial trouble takes an ominous, but well-paid babysitting job in a creepy mansion somewhere in the woods. As it turns out there’s no baby whatsoever, but an apparently aged parent to watch for. The reluctant girl takes the job only to discover that, of course, she hasn’t exactly been told everything.

A lot of attention is paid to details here. It’s a meticulous exercise in style of the horror movies it mimics. To simply call this a homage would be a great understatement as this one really could pass for a movie from the early 80s. This is seen in the clothes, the cars, haircuts, but also in the score, the cinematography and the overall layout of the movie.

As far as the acting goes the always reliable Tom Noonan delivers a solid creepy performance. It’s up to Jocelin Donahue, however, to carry this movie as a lot of scenes in the film just feature her on her own. Donahue who bears a similarity to a young Karen Allen pulls off the role of a wide-eyed, innocent heroine who slowly, but surely gets pulled into a world of horror. The Academy isn’t quite knocking at her door, but she makes for a good 80s scream queen.

It’s a very slow-burning film. The build-up during which little actual horror happens encompasses more than one hour of the movie’s 90 minutes running time. It is obvious that Ti West is more bent on recreating an old horror movie and building up suspense than in the actual pay-off. The devotion to the style definitely comes at the expense of the story here. The pay-off is bloody, intense and very unnerving, but it is over too fast. At times I was surprised at how brutal it was, though. It stands out even more because most of the film is so quiet that the sudden outbursts of violence seem random, but not really out of place. The very ending was somewhat of a cop-out in my opinion, though. Then again it also was as generic and typical as you’d expect of a flick like this from 30 years ago.

It is certainly a divisive film. Anyone going in, expecting quick shocks and chills throughout will come out disappointed. However, if you’re ready for a slow and creepy horror flick that sees more in the genre than just cheap thrills you’ll find a finely crafted little flick. It doesn’t revolutionize the genre and it won’t have a great influence, but it’s an interest experiment of art.

In addition to what others said, I'd add that I thought they should have lost Samantha's friend Megan's death scene. The second you see her car post-dropping off Sam you know what's coming and I'm honestly not sure what killing Megan even accomplishes (aside from sating audience bloodlust for a little while, I guess). They could have still built up with the weird van/guy being the pizza guy as well, plus a better handled reveal of all the bodies in the room would be good.

Also with not seeing Megan's death the fact that she doesn't answer her phone throughout but is still scheduled to come pick up Samantha at 1230pm could've been used for some added "just hang on a little longer!" in regards to Sam at the end, there.

I did really, really like things mostly and a bunch until Samantha wakes up in a different movie after she's drugged Seriously, though, even if they had just left everything as is and ended it right when Sam shot herself in the head I would've been on board. That lame hospital nonsense at the end was overkill.

I liked the stark contrast that Megan's over-the-top bloody death scene provided to the rather calm film before it happened.

*** / ***** (C)

It's too slow. Sure, they wanted to pull all the 80's stuff they could, from the camera angles, plot points, etc. but most of the time it doesn't serve the movie. It's pure show off. This might have been a great 30-40 minute movie.

And once the things actually start to happen in the house, most of it is pretty dumb. This is the definition of style over substance.