The House of the Devil (2009) User Reviews

any second now i'll be blown away... maybe not

[RickHarvey · 6/10 · 13 June 2010]

Well then, what do we have here? A modern horror film placed in the 70/80s era. I already like Ti West thinking. With most Horror films today being god damn awful, it refreshing to see one which pays homage to the classics while trying to be unique. From start to finish, the film is littered with classic horror references. The opening titles design, the babysitter, Satanism. Even some parts of the music score is identical to the famous Halloween score.

Now then, this film is very slow. It takes it time to build up, in fact, it takes the main character 30 minutes to reach the house. Thank god then that Samatha was likable. Now, it doesn't matter how slow a film starts, i mean the shining is regarded as slow but there one big contrast between the film's build up. One goes somewhere the other doesn't . Once we finally get to the house, we do nothing more than watch Samatha stroll around for the rest of the film.

West atmosphere is perfect, his camera work was great, the suspension was brilliant but nothing ever came from these very few moments. The suspense just keeps building , West keeps on adding more fuel onto the fire until finally he runs out and the credits starts rolling . Very little happens and when we do reach the final act, it ends up being boring and forgettable.

This film looks great but sadly , the script is poor leaving a potential film into a easily forgettable one. If you particularly enjoy watching people do nothing for a hour and 10 minutes, then this is highly recommended

Artful Emulation of the 1980s Film

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 13 October 2012]

In the 1980s, college student Samantha Hughes (Jocelin Donahue) takes a strange babysitting job that coincides with a full lunar eclipse. She slowly realizes her clients harbor a terrifying secret.

I absolutely love that director Ti West did everything he could to make this come off as a 1980s movie -- the style, the 16mm camera, releasing the film in a clam shell box (I am surprised they actually allowed this last one). Opinions vary, but I think it is safe to say the (modern) golden age for horror was the 1980s. And here we are, adding another 80s film to the list (sort of).

West also managed to hire genre actors Tom Noonan, Dee Wallace and Mary Woronov for the picture, which I think fans appreciate. Larry Fessenden served as a producer, and this may be the best project Fessenden was ever attached to.

What I find as strange is how this film is very highly rated by people. Not that it is a bad film. I enjoyed it. But I think it is interesting that the film gets a lot of credit for working in the 1980s style. Had this identical film come out in the 1980s, it may have hardly registered among its peers. This film rides the wave of nostalgia... and it rides it well.

Critique of the overall movie

[jordanjshanahan · 7/10 · 12 March 2017]

House of the Devil is a film that delves the audience into an atmosphere of a classical slasher film. The scenery and style of the misc-en-scene throughout the film heavily mirrors that of the ideal 80s slasher such as Halloween. The scenery in the film is one of its defining characteristics that help this movie stand out from other modern day horror films that rely heavily on special effects.

The overall best aspect of this film is its growing suspense. This is not a movie for those who love gore and constant assault on the senses. For the grand majority of the movie the audience held down by so much expectation it becomes almost unbearable. The audience grows attached to the very attractive main character (Jocelin Donahue) who despite her and her friend's best efforts to be sensible throughout the film falls victim to classic horror movie stereotypes. This attraction and connection to the main character as the suspense continues to build at a grueling pace make this part of the film truly great.

The excellent use of growing suspense throughout the film is also its biggest downfall as the audience is filled to the brim with expectation only to have that feeling shattered by a very rushed ending. The ending assaults your senses too fast and is too unbelievable. The audience becomes disconnected as the realistic suspense of the majority of the film at this grueling pace is replaced by an unrealistic ending that happens all too fast.

Another positive aspect of this film that should be mentioned is the comic relief of the best friend (Greta Gerwig) delivering excellent amount of fun in the face of this growing suspense.

Overall the majority of this film has all the aspects of a classical slasher of growing suspense. However, the pacing at the end and the disconnect from this suspenseful first half of the film served as a large disappointment.

A masterclass in the atmospheric chiller...until the resolution

[tsheridan94 · 7/10 · 10 June 2012]

I find it impossible to give this movie less than a seven, because, even if the ending was absolutely a letdown, the first 80% of the movie was so excellently constructed that its cinematic value cannot be lessened too greatly.

And excellent The House of the Devil is for most of its duration. Director/Writer/Editor Ti West shows a remarkable proficiency for being able to truly scare, through an excellent slow-burn build-up, allowing the atmosphere of the titular house and the anticipation for when it is inevitably released to bring a viewer to nail-biting fear, rather than simply trying to startle with constant Boo! Got'cha! "scares," or excessive gore. In the end, this method is far more effective and lasting, less artificial than the latter methods which seem to, unfortunately, be the bread and butter of modern American horror filmmakers.

However, when the denouement rolls around, this is completely thrown out the window. Sure, the gore may look nice (and indeed it does; not top of the line, but it belies the film's budget), but it completely abandons House's almost regal sense of restraint that worked so effectively for nearly the entire length of the movie. Not to mention, the transition in styles is itself so jarring that I was pulled from the experience for nearly 10 minutes, an unfortunate occurrence when that covers almost the entire duration of the remainder. The release of the built up fear was clumsy and ineffective, and the effect of the movie after the credits rolled was erased. I wasn't left with the feeling that something could be lurking just out of sight over my shoulder that the best horror movies provide; a tension that extends beyond the movie's run-time. This problem I believe to later be solved by Ti West's later film "The Innkeepers," a picture I believe (and seemingly in the minority) to be the superior movie.

However, despite its eventual letdown, the remainder of House of the Devil was truly a horror experience I rarely see from recent American horror films, this difference between House of the Devil and its peers thrown into sharp relief by the clearly nostalgic feel it gives off, even from the opening credits. Even the grainy camera shots add a sense of, for lack of a better word, enjoyable "retro" style, rather than becoming a detriment. And the camera work itself is also exemplary, snaking and twisting its way among the oppressive halls of the house that seems more an antique than something to be lived in.

The House of the Devil is unquestionably a good movie. For most of the film, I was completely drawn in, waiting with a rising anticipation to see what was lurking around the corner; The House of the Devil is truly scary even with its superficial sense of the mundane. Nothing is shown, save for one particularly haunting shot of what lies behind a door that remains (at least temporarily) unopened, and it is all the better for that. But this is before (please excuse the pun) everything goes to Hell at the climax. I'd certainly recommend this film; just don't expect the release to be able to come close to matching the rising action.

Good, but uneven, throwback to 80's religious horror

[LoneWolfAndCub · 7/10 · 8 April 2012]

Ti West, who directed the underrated Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever, is a name to watch out for. The House of the Devil, although not fantastic, proves that West has an excellent eye for visuals, details and creating suspense. This film feels as though it has come directly out of the 80's, more like a lost film of some horror director like John Carpenter or Tobe Hooper than a second feature by a new millennium director. From the opening and end credits, to the walkman, fashion, soundtrack and the slightly faded visuals, even the storyline, centred on babysitters and Satanists feels like the movie belongs back in the 80's.

Samantha (Jocelin Donahue) is a college student who needs money fast. Her roommate is a disgusting slob, and Samantha is a neat-freak, lucky for her she has found an apartment, but needs money to pay the rent. She stumbles across a babysitter advert at the college and quickly applies. Soon enough she is meeting with Mr. Ulman (Tom Noonan) and his odd wife Mrs. Ulman (Mary Woronov) on the night of the lunar eclipse. Straight away it is obvious to us, and Samantha's friend Megan (Greta Gerwig), that this job is a setup for some sinister goings down (hence the title 'The House of the Devil').

The first 40 minutes of this movie are excellent. Samantha is a character we can care about and a sense of dread permeates the proceedings. However, once the babysitting starts very little happens and the movie slows to a halt which ultimately destroys the fantastic mood setup. Events pick up at 75 minute mark, but with only 15 minutes left the final act is rushed with no time to generate any scares (apart from some nice gory deaths).

The cast do an excellent job, the exchanges between Mr. Ulman and Samantha are deliciously creepy, and the house itself is reminiscent of the Amityville house. The actual story is quite good, nothing new or exciting but a simple little devil-themed yarn with a little twist. Unfortunately it is the pacing which is this film's undoing, and it is a shame because it really could have been an amazingly good film otherwise.

3½/5

Embarrassingly bad ending ruins the entire build

[jds121212-1 · 2/10 · 13 October 2020]

I honestly can't believe how many people forgive one of the weakest climaxes ever produced in a horror movie (which is saying a lot because there are a lot of terrible horror climaxes) just because the slow tense build is phenomenal. It's like giving a restaurant a good review because the ambiance is very nice even if the food taste like an old shoe. This movie builds tension and intrigue like few I've ever seen. But when the ending is practically non-existent it can't be forgiven because the build was great. When a great build leads to nothing but excruciating disappointment it's like giving a an architect credit for a beautiful framework even if it completely collapses when the final few bricks are placed. That's the best way to describe this film. The bad bad ending destroys all that came before

Classic suspense horror for true fans of the genre

[freakinflax · 10/10 · 18 October 2009]

I heard some good things about this film before viewing, and then on this site heard some bad things. I've come to believe that listening to others doesn't always help. It's all about opinion and experience, and in my opinion, this experience was worth it.

I won't get into too many details of the plot as the reviews and trailers tell it straight forward, but as far as tension, cinematography, atmosphere, music and style goes, this film really has it all. It's a classic story of your ordinary girl next door being put into an extraordinary situation. It's a situation that she tries to avoid, the people around her try to avoid, and you as a viewer knows she should avoid but can't help and stay to see what transpires.

If you're looking for a run of the mill slasher flick, a psychological thriller, or an action packed gore fest, I'm sorry but this isn't for you. However, if you're into the types of horror movies that take a simple, almost predictable concept and turns it on its' head in an unrelenting fashion, then look no further. This movie will stay with you for a few days for different reasons, but my biggest turn on was the feeling throughout the film, an homage to earlier times, and an evil that knows no bounds.

This one night changes everything for me.

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 26 October 2015]

Ti West seems destined to be one of those horror film directors who forever will polarise opinions. For those of us who love the slow burn approach and admire his evident adoration of retro horror, then he hits the mark. Reference The House of the Devil and latterly The Innkeepers. If those two things don't strike a chord with you then it's very likely that The House of the Devil will drive you nuts - but not in a good way.

Plot is simple, Jocelin Donahue plays student Samantha Hughes, who has found the ideal apartment to live in, but needs funds to pay the deposit. Sooooo, answering a flyer advertising for a babysitter, she winds up at some spooky house out in the sticks, where the job isn't exactly what was as expected, and, well the night isn't as expected either...

It's her own fault really, if you ring the bell at a spooky isolated house and Tom Noonan answers the door, well then you should know better than not to run away! But I digress. West's film taps into the satanic panic that gripped certain parts of the states in the 70s and 80s, set in the early 80s the film is a vibrant homage to that era, with a real sense of time and place pulsing away as Samantha is set up for a night of god knows what.

The house is a splendid old creaker and within it Samantha always looks to be one cat's whisker away from being in peril. West doesn't go for continuous boo-jump scares, he lets us and Samantha use our imaginations to unnerve all parties. The screw is slowly turned until hell comes to the party, moving things swiftly to a frenetic finale that closes with a final denouement that old nick himself would approve of.

Dee Wallace Stone does a cameo to add more to the retro flavours, while Noonan and Donahue are superb. It's a film that is patient and asks you for your patience, so those of that ilk, and retro horror hounds too, will love it. Others, not so! 7/10

Creeps up on you

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 25 October 2009]

This is more Horror Drama, then straight Horror movie. And the build up time takes ... well it's time! There is more build up time here, then actually payoff time. In other words, if you are a gore hound, you should look for other movies to get your blood pumping (or whatever else it is you want it to do).

This movie though is based on an actual fear that was spreading around in the 80s in America. People were very afraid of certain things (depicted in here) and Ti West captures that mood in every detail. You could be excused, if you thought this movie was actually shot in the 80s! But it isn't and even if some hoped for more scares in the movie, I think this movie is balanced very neatly! You just have to be patient enough to wait until the end ... and the payoff is there for everyone to see!

$400 for a night's babysitting; nope, nothing suspicious about that...

[BA_Harrison · 6/10 · 10 May 2010]

Cash-strapped student Samantha (Jocelin Donahue) accepts a 'babysitting' job at the home of elderly couple The Ulmans (Tom Noonan & Mary Woronov), despite plenty of warning signs that something is not right with the gig: she's being offered far too much money for the job; Mr. Ulman and his missus are waaaay too creepy; and there isn't even a child to look after!

Masquerading as a movie from the golden age of the slasher (late 70s to early 80s), The House of the Devil has been designed to appeal to old-school horror fans who like their films to take the time to develop atmosphere and build tension. Utilising convincing lo-fi visuals, a cool synth score, a retro title sequence, and neat period details (Farrah Fawcett flick hairstyles, a huge Walkman personal stereo, a rotary telephone with a cord), director Ti West painstakingly recreates the look and feel of the era. Unfortunately, he pays a lot less attention to the pacing and, after an hour of extremely slow build-up during which we get a few well crafted moments of tension but an awful lot of uneventful padding, the film erupts in a clumsy, rushed and chaotic last act that feels like it was grafted on from an entirely different movie.

With a tad more time spent rounding out his antagonists, a bit more detail about their nefarious plans, and a little less pizza-eating, West might have had something really special on his hands: a truly effective homage to grind-house horror. Instead, The House of the Devil proves to be a rather frustrating exercise in style over content.

worth watching

[dude5568 · 6/10 · 10 June 2010]

the best thing about this movie is that it is based upon the 80s style horror & thrillers.The film makers really deserve an appreciation for this one.The acting was good,the scenes were well crafted and so all this makes it worth watching,at least for me it did,also because it is based upon a true story(unexplained events)which makes a movie quite interesting (rather than boring).Its not spine chilling or anything like that but still makes an impression on the viewer.I give this one 6.5/10,its pretty decent for a thriller like this one but yes there will be some who would say that it does not contain enough material or terror but as i said its worth watching and you would not regret this one...enjoy!!!

A decent little throwback horror film

[Corpus_Vile · 7/10 · 27 October 2009]

It is the late '70's/early '80's. Cash strapped babysitter Samantha Hughes agrees to take on a very well paid job by rather creepy home owner, Mr Ulman.(Tom Noonan.) As the Night Progresses however, Samantha comes to realize that Mr Ulman and his no less creepy wife(Mary Woronov) may very well have a sinister plan for her...

The House Of The Devil may very well divide audiences and fans, as it's a slow burning film, which takes its time to get to its payoff. However, I thought it was a fairly decent throwback horror film, that captures the feel of its setting perfectly. It's also got great performances from Noonan and Woronov as the sinister couple. It does indulge in one or two unlikely scenarios, but is overall a decent and solid effort from director Ti West.

Well worth a look for fans seeking something a bit more offbeat.

And I thought babysitter's had it easy...

[the_rattlesnake25 · 7/10 · 2 February 2010]

Ti West, the 29 year old filmmaker from Delaware, might not be a name you are familiar with -with regards to the horror genre of film-making - but if his future projects are anywhere near as good as his third directorial feature film 'The House of the Devil', then you will no doubt be hearing his name mentioned heavily in the next couple of years. West has so-far spent his time primarily creating cheap, B-Movie-esquire horror films, however with 'House of the Devil' he changed his tactic and decided rather than ridiculing or satirizing the genre, to instead pay homage to it; in particular the haunted house/slasher subgenre. And the result is an eerie, well-shot, competently edited, suspense-fuelled ride back into the horror films of the 1970's and 1980's.

College student Samantha Hughes (Jocelin Donahue) is the archetypal female lead at the centre of the ritualistic story. Trying to gather enough money together so she may move out of her dorm, which she occupies with her room-mate Megan (Greta Gerwig), she reluctantly applies for a local babysitter gig. The prospect of watching television all night, while occasionally checking on a child and ultimately getting paid cash-in-hand appeals to her financial stricken nature straight away, however she has no idea what the mysterious Mr (Tom Noonan) and Mrs (Mary Woronov) Ulman have in store for the naive young student.

Filmed on 16mm stock to give the film that washed retro stylistic feel, 'Devil' is a technical back-into-the-past cinematic winner. Once the Hammer-esquire titles follow the opening scene-setting sequence, you are instantly aware of the timeframe in which the film takes place. The mise-en scene, music and location provide the blank canvas, while West's filmic strokes bring the piece to life. Professionally edited by the director himself with cinematography by the Eliot Rockett, both combine to create seamlessly evolving scenes and heavy suspense from the mildest situations.

Before we are even introduced to Mr Ulman, the sequence involving Samantha phoning the Ulman residence and applying for the job of babysitter on campus is so perfectly shot that the hairs stand up on the back of your neck simply from the sound of a phone ringing and a mysterious male voice on the other end. While the transition during the climax of the film challenges everything that has gone before, by hitting the audience continually with flashing, vibrant images of horrific situations that we try find to focus upon and understand initially, but then regret that decision once we know what is being shown.

To be entirely critical, the climax of the film also supplies the films largest failure in respect to the use of on-screen violence, blood and gore. In context of the whole film, the various uses of aesthetics (light, space) and technical know-how create the films intense atmosphere and terrifying nature. However with the excessive violence in the films concluding scenes, it goes past simply being shockingly terrifying, instead into the realm of shockingly violent. Not the effect I imagine Ti West was aiming for. The violent scenes themselves should not have been removed, but simply toned down.

Ti West's 'The House of the Devil' is a refreshing addition to what has become a stale genre of film in recent years. The brilliant homage, respecting those that went before during horror's contemporary hay-day, shows that not all film-makers are simply looking to copy, repeat and exploit, but admire, showcase and support the genre they have grown up with. If you want a meticulously, frightening trip down memory lane, rent or buy this film and you will not be disappointed.

So... when does this get good?

[reaperdc · 1/10 · 24 October 2020]

How can a film this boring have so many good reviews. I don't mind a slow burn but this was more of a no burn. Every time you think it's about to get good it just starts plodding along again. All of which leads to a mediocre gore fest at the end. Very disappointing when you consider this is on a lot of best horror movie lists.

The Devil is in the Details, and the Classic Horror

[spencergrande6 · 10/10 · 4 November 2009]

The House of the Devil is a fastidiously detailed, pitch-perfect homage to 80's horror, that adheres to genre conventions while at the same time transcending them. Director Ti West understands what makes horror films work, that the horror is always more exciting when you don't know when to expect it. Jocelin Donahue plays Samantha, typical college-girl hoping to get a place of her own but without the cash to do so. She accepts a babysitting job that promises to pay well, and is then left in a creepy house in the middle of nowhere. Borrowing a page from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (and others) playbook, the been there, done that story is absolutely the point, complete with opening statistics promising a true story. Horror doesn't need to be complicated, just well executed. West builds dread and terror like a pro, understanding the classic Hitchcock sensibility that people fear what they don't see, and what they don't know (Lovecraft said so as well). In the face of torture porn and slasher flicks, where the only horror is the gore and the murder (and unnecessary soundtrack spikes), it is quite unsettling to be subjected to a thrill ride like this one.

An Ode to the 80s Slasher

[GrowMagicBeans · 7/10 · 4 October 2022]

Right from the very start with our protagonist Samatha (Jocelin Donahue) wearing a beanie hat and walkman earphones; walking to a peculiar up-beat, but non-commercial score; and freeze framing to the credits, we are given the appearance that this movie might very well have come straight out of the 80s. Indeed, the entire movie is an ode to the slasher genre with perfectly cast characters, ranging from the celestial if introverted Samantha to the slightly more daring, rich friend; right down to the creepy pizza boy on the other side of the telephone line, or the the towering tall man who wants a baby sitter for a most peculiar job. I have to say, the Academic in me enjoyed this well crafted movie; the slow but steady, sometimes goofy, sometimes pensive build-up, to the climatic horrors that later unfold. I was relieved that it didn't rely on any crazy swinging twists that some contemporary movies attempt in an effort re-induce the 'slasher' as a genre. No, The House of the Devil stays steadfastly loyal to the genre --the writers must have really studied the classics-- and one could argue that they made the perfect tribute. But perhaps it's nearly too perfect. While the Academic in me was satisfied, the Voyeur wanted something more; something new and unusual. And that's the one flaw with the movie. There isn't anything really original in it. It's like all the best facets have been plundered from previous films and cleverly stitched back together again, so we are never altogether ever surprised. Nevertheless, if you are a fan of the genre, it's definitely worth a look.

what a horror throwback should be

[NateWatchesCoolMovies · 8/10 · 4 December 2016]

Throwbacks to horror films of the 70's and 80's either work or they don't. The filmmakers are either able to replicate that specific tonal aesthetic and look from back then, or they aren't. It's not easy to do, but writer director Ti West makes it seem like a walk in the park with his near flawless House Of The Devil, a gorgeous love note to the satanic works of yester-year that so adeptly recreates that time and place until we really believe we're watching a film that was made then. From the nostalgic hand drawn poster that beckons with atmosphere of a bygone era, to the use of full on, lovingly lettered credits ahead of the film, it's pure vintage bliss, like that one perfect vinyl you find in the second hand shop. It starts out like many of these horrors do, with a young teenage girl (Jocelin Donahue) innocently wandering into a situation that leads down an inevitable path of gruesome terror. In this case it's a seemingly innocuous babysitting job posted on her college notice board, by a cheery enough landlady (horror veteran Dee Wallace). Arriving at a creepy, ornate old manor, she meets Mr. and Mrs. Ullman, two gaunt, old world looking weirdos played by soft spoken yet disconcerting Tom Noonan, and genre legend Mary Woronov. They seem kind yet just kind of…off, explaining to her that the kiddies are alseep already upstairs, assuring an easy night for her. They depart and she's left alone in the vast empty halls, or so she thinks. She's been chosen for a bizarre, bloody ritual and soon is plagued by nightly terrors, a ghastly witch, the Ullmans themselves and all sorts of devilish deeds. Noonan could stand there and order a large double double with a honey dip and still make you uncomfortable, the guy is just perfect for horror, and makes a purring gargoyle of a villain for our our young heroine to go up against, backed up by Woronov's nasty Morticia vibe. Eventually it gets quite graphic and startling, but the slow, solemn lead up is the key in making the horror shock us all the more. Nothing happens for an agonizing first half, filled with silent apprehension, and when all hell finally breaks loose, our nerves are already taut strings waiting to snap, like the ones in the shrill, ragged violin score. That's how you pace a horror film, and many artists today should take note of this one's pace, soundscape, mood board and production design, because it's all about as good as it gets for this type of thing. Essential horror viewing, and I'd love to see a grainy VHS edition complete with box art, if that's something they even do these days.

The House of the Devil Movie Review

[ethancarmanmoore · 7/10 · 8 September 2015]

The House of the Devil is a 2009 horror film written and directed by Ti West set in the 1980's and has to do with satanic cults. This movie already has my attention. Ti West had already had me on the edge of my seat while I was watching his segment in V/H/S (2012), which I found great until a very disappointing ending. The House of the Devil is about a college girl named Sam who needs money to buy a house. A little touch that I liked in the movie was that they gave us a reason why she needs a house for herself. A lot of horror movies wouldn't even bother giving us a reason, but this one made the effort. Sam see's an add for a baby sitting job on the campus bulletin board and decides to go and make some money. Thats all I'll say because this is a highly effective horror film and should not be missed by horror fans. There is a fine line between a film being boring and building tension. Ti West is right above that line. You could cut the tension with a knife throughout this film. Most of the movie is almost set entirely in one location, a creepy house in which our leading lady does not know the layout, and it makes for some very eerie scenes. All of the acting is perfectly fine for a horror film, nothing Oscar worthy but not bad at all. Sam (Jocelin Donahue) fits this role perfectly, she looks completely natural wearing 80's clothes and listening to her cassette player. A great part of this horror flick is that it looks like Ti West actually cared about what he was making. Most horror films of the past decade have been the same thing over and over that Hollywood just pushes out. Ti West's visual style is beautiful, he likes to film a lot of scenes in panning shots and in wide shots. He's got a lot of imaginative visuals in the film and some interesting shot constructions. From the opening shot I could tell I was in for something special visually. The only problem I had with the film is that the whole movie was a great build up and I found that the last 15 minutes were not very scary and a bit cliché. Without spoiling anything I will just say that the ending seemed almost overly violent and went the route of a lot of generic horror films. All in all, The House of the Devil is a great horror film with some highly effective scares that will keep you on the edge of your seat up until the disappointing finale.

A truckload of horror classics thrown in a blender

[Siamois · 7/10 · 31 January 2010]

I had absolutely no idea what this movie was before watching it with a friend and it took me by surprise. I will first cover the basics, in case you haven't read other reviews:

House of the Devil takes place in the 80s is about a college student who responds to an ad looking for a babysitter. Once she gets to this very remote house, things get kinda creepy and scary. The plot is extremely basic and hearkens back to older days of horror movies, the 70s and 80s. Not only that but direction style, pacing... everything seems to be a tribute to this era of horror film-making.

The film has received mixed reviews, which is unsurprising to me. Its slow pace and tone will take modern viewers aback. In some ways, the movie's start reminded me somewhat of Tarantino's Death Proof; character exposition through the mundane.We are introduced to our protagonist Samantha (Jocelin Donahue) a student struggling to pay the bills and we are literally plunged in the 80s through our eyes and our ears. I thought this was all done rather well and they spent just enough time setting the table for what was to come.

And what is to come is Samantha getting to the house (which, BTW, I fell in love with. Absolutely gorgeous sets in this horror film). From that point on we experience horror very much in the vein of older movies, where everything is in the tension. It should be said that 99% of this movie is shot from Samantha's point of view. Thus the tension comes from being along Samantha and exploring what is going on. Jocelyn Donahue is solid in the lead role but the creation of suspense here comes mostly from director Ti West. We shift through the various moods of Samantha, several scenes are completely silent, others use a music score and the rest of the soundtrack comes judiciously through Samantha's trustee walkman. The film score is downright amazing. A throwback to the 80s but with modern sensibilities in mind. With all this focus on Samantha, you quickly identify with her and she doesn't remain just a pawn from which you are detached. And so you have an effective recipe for an old school scary flick.

It's not all good, however. First of all, while this homage to the 80s seems heartfelt and is appreciated, I did not feel The House of the Devil brought anything new. There were very much influences of early slashers flick, also satanic material like Rosemary's baby, The Omen, etc... and even a nod to the cult classic "When a Stranger Calls" but almost none of it matched the originals and nothing new was brought to the fold.

I thought some creative decisions by Ti West were strange. I've said 99% of the film is from Samantha's perspective. I have nothing against introducing more external points of views but the choices were often odd. The only scene that worked for me was Samantha pressing her ear against a door and the audience then knowing what's on the other side (her character does not). The rest of the 1% involves another character and it completely detracts, instead of improving our experience. A minor disappointment was also actor Tom Noonan. Noonan was good in his role. The thing is, Noonan is usually amazing. I did not feel he brought as much heart, soul and quirkiness as he has in the past.

All in all, this is a great little movie. At worse it might get people to dust off all these old classics, many of which are still unmatched. I do enjoy films of ALL eras and there is quality in all of them, including the more modern stuff. If House of the Devil allows new generations to be introduced to old school horror this way and then bring these people to classics, I say it will do the horror genre a service.

I'm giving this a 7. A more original script, a more powerful exploration of themes and a better use of supporting cast might have raised the rating. But it is an entertaining film!

Tries to be 80s until it decides to be bad late 90s TV

[servicedevice-1 · 6/10 · 9 November 2009]

The knock on this movie is that it takes too long to get to the horror, but unless you are some easily pleased HorrorCon geek, you'll be glad they put it off. The majority of the film is build-up, and while there are some amateurish weaknesses in the execution (nevermind the many many questions raised by various plot points), it's more or less pretty good. But then the last 20 min is not only full on retarded, it's shot on HD as opposed to the rest of the film, thus completing the feeling that you just switched to some bad WB horror TV show that played at 2:00pm on Saturdays (complete with painfully familiar--and in this case completely random--horror makeup. I would say more, but I don't want to spoil your disappointment). The fact that it was shot in HD leads me to wonder if they went back and re-shot after deciding that the original ending was underwhelming. I for one would have rather seen something underwhelming than the rapid slide into frenzied mediocrity that ensues. By the way, apart from hairdos etc and the winking opening titles, there is nothing particularly 80s about the film itself. Set in 80s, yes, reminiscent of 80s films, not so much. (Except for the poster campaign. Awesome job on those.) Are people just drinking the publicity kool-aid? I don't know. For a film that truly channels pleasantly cruddy 80s horror movies, without even wearing pretensions to that on its sleeve (as this film does), check out 2004's Creep, with Franka Potente.

Too on the nose

[wdavidmiller · 2/10 · 1 February 2021]

No subtlety. Uber-slow pacing to glorify horror movies of the early eighties with almost no payoff. Even the "a-ha" at the end would have been a surprise... if left out.

80's Horror Nostalgia done RIGHT!

[RockPortReview · 9/10 · 19 February 2010]

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.

The sum of its parts comes up just a bit short.

[nesfilmreviews · 7/10 · 17 October 2013]

"The House of the Devil" is a slow-burn '80s throwback that actually looks and feels like a horror classic of that decade that has just now been discovered. Horror movies in the '80s were far from innocent, but they were much more playful, and not so persistently grim. The body count is low, none of the main characters get naked, and no one has to choose whether to hack his/her own arm off. The "Hitchcockian" like approach is effectively used by director Ti West, but ultimately the sum of its parts comes up just a bit short.

Samantha (Jocelin Donahue), a college student, is preparing to move into a new apartment. She does not have much money and is desperate to find a job that will pay her enough to make a down payment on the apartment. When she sees an ad on campus soliciting a babysitter, she calls the number and leaves a message. The man who returns her call asks her to meet him about the job. He never arrives for the appointment, but he soon calls back and asks Samantha to come to the house because it's urgent. Samantha and her friend, Megan (Greta Gerwig), head out together to get a feel for the situation before accepting the job. There, they meet Mr. Ulman (Tom Noonan), who explains a situation to Samantha, and she takes the job when the money offered doubles, despite Megan's bad feeling. With a looming full lunar eclipse, Samantha soon will find herself involved in the plot of a satanic cult.

When it comes to "The House of the Devil," the enjoyment and suspense are found in getting there. When the conclusion does arrive, it unfolds much too quickly, giving us little time to enjoy the bloody payoff. Jocelin Donahue is the ideal guide in this house of horrors -- she is attractive, amusing, and completely believable throughout. Sam spends a good three-fourths of the film just wandering around the house as the dread mounts, and we fully realize that something could happen at any moment. The long camera shots allow the tension to intensify over what could be lurking around every corner. Mr. West, who also wrote the screenplay and served as his own editor, is better at setting the scene than making good on his promise. West has the right idea and makes it work almost perfectly; it's just unfortunate the conclusion falls short.

A great film to bridge the gap of modern horror to its roots

[ChaosStar · 7/10 · 1 February 2014]

I rented this film with some trepidation as I'm still timid with the horror genre. We have all seen pretty slasher fests and re used jump plots in today's horror. It was until I read that this film was a homage to the classic 70's and 80's horror films, a time period revered as the grandfather of horrors that seem to garn the cult and respect that it has today, that I was interested in it.

Nothing really scares me in movies anymore really, I'm 20 and I've come to just enjoy the film and rate and judge them by their directing, casting, script, cameraograthy and track.

Everything about this film takes one back to the desired time period, the effort that this film has gone to to recreate the view and unflesh the film to it's minute 'feel' as writer and director and editor! Ti West has excelled at delivering a veteran film makers performance in what would be a cult masterpiece film.

From what I've gathered, the classic 70's and 80's horror films are a slow paced build up to cataclysmic violence that utilizes an unbearable wait to reach a violent, thrilling climax which this film nails.

The House Of The Devil is not a film to really make it in modern horror collections, there is no constant violence, over the done psycho thrillers or head trips. It is a seemingly normal film which leaps into a sudden violence that really makes a veteran horror fan stay to the very end.

Sadly this is film is a sword without a hilt in retrospect. A masterpiece of film work but with it's re-creation, is slow paced, which is perfect for its goal, it's just I am used to more action and chill. The only other fault, an actual fault in my opinion is whoever played the bearded man. No spoilers but he was a disappointing and nearly useless role.

8/10. I'm looking forward to what else Ti West can do.

A huge disappointment

[Superunknovvn · 3/10 · 6 January 2010]

Ti West's idea to make "The House Of The Devil" look like a forgotten horror flick of the 80's without any ironic self-awareness seemed really cool. As promising as the trailer looked, the finished movie is a huge letdown.

West gets the look of an 80's horror flick right. The actresses and actors are cast well and even the music is almost right (with the drums sounding too modern and well-produced). The real weak point of "The House Of The Devil" is the script. There is waaaaaay too much exposition: A lot of walking around, uninteresting conversation and nothing much happening at all. If in the third act there was a big payoff to all that, the movie might have redeemed himself, but the climax is so boring and clichéd, you'll wonder why you had to sit through the 70 minutes or so that preceded it. In this last third of the movie West doesn't even stay true to 80's horror anymore: The main villains make-up looks like something out of "The Descent", the quick cuts suddenly turn "The House Of The Devil" into "SAW".

It seems, as if a lot of horror fans, who praise Ti West for this picture, are confusing the concept with the outcome. As great as the original idea was, as authentic as the posters and even the movie itself look, there is no thrill whatsoever in "The House Of The Devil". It's even more frustrating when you think about how cool this could have been. But Ti West has already established himself as a hack with his previous movies. This one is just further proof of his mediocrity.