The House Where Evil Dwells (1982)
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39% of users liked it
(1,482 ratings)
Based on a novel by James Hardiman, this routine haunted-house scenario is enhanced a bit by its lush Eastern setting. The story opens in an elaborate Kyoto abode, wherein a cuckolded samurai brutally murders his wife and her lover before committing ritual seppuku. Their restless spirits remain… More Based on a novel by James Hardiman, this routine haunted-house scenario is enhanced a bit by its lush Eastern setting. The story opens in an elaborate Kyoto abode, wherein a cuckolded samurai brutally murders his wife and her lover before committing ritual seppuku. Their restless spirits remain trapped in the house until the present, where the story continues with an American couple (Edward Albert and Susan George), the house's newest owners, whose minds soon begin to fall under the ghosts' powerful psychic influence. After the arrival of a family friend, visiting diplomat Doug McClure, a curious re-enactment of the original tragedy unfolds, and even the intervention of a Buddhist monk (Henry Mitowa) fails to dispel the evil. The filmmakers seem more concerned with the sex than horror, as indicated by frequent nudity (particularly from George) and numerous sweaty clinches, paying short shrift to the great potential offered by the Asian setting -- an aspect only hinted at in the Buddhist exorcism scenes. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi
- Directed By
- Kevin Connor
- Genres
- Horror
R,
- In Theaters
- May 14, 1982 Wide
- Studio
- MGM
Critic Reviews
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Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Produced in the early 1980s by a Japanese production company, yet written, directed by, and starring tons of Americans, THWED is, well, it's really quite stupid is what it is.
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Cast
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Edward Albert
as Ted
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Susan George
as Laura
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Doug McClure
as Alex
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Amy Barrett
as Amy
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Mako Hattori
as Otami
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Toshiyuki Sasaki
as Shugoro
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Toshiya Maruyama
as Masanori
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Tsuyako Okajima
as Witch
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Henry Mitowa
as Zen Monk
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Joseph Cotten
as Ivar
- Mayumi Umeda
- Tsuiyuki Sasaki
- Tsuyako Olajima
