January 17, 2010
80's is, in my opinion, up on the top 3 of the best decades for horror movies. The 70's, 80's, and 90's schooled horror. I always wished, starting around the late 90's, that they would make a horror film that had the feel to an 80's horror movie. And by "feel" I mean the whole pa...( read more)ckage. The graininess/or watered down color, the faint audio sound, clothes, props, and stage design. The typical slasher score, followed by an 80's retro or rock soundtrack. And how can it be 80's horror without that cheesy dialogue? And don't forget the shabby performances and the big breasted virgins hiding in all the wrong places. Yes, those were the feel good frights of the 80's. The full on package of a great slasher film. Of course we've been greeted to some good horror which takes place in such a decade, along with some 80's stylized ingredients, but in the end it didn't feel like it was anything more than just a movie from the now. And the answer as to why is pretty simple, really. Those period horror flicks were missing two main factors. One being the important quality of color temperature, which can be dealt with when using older film stocks, even using a 16mm can help matters, as The House of the Devil did. Another factor are the audio tracks. Even in movies predating the 80's, more so in the 1900's (of course) through the 70's, you can hear a sort of scratchiness over the crisp blend of ambience. A visual doesn't always give the feeling of a different time and place in your surroundings, and for the most part you always know your position. But for a movie like The House of the Devil, the way it's shot, and if you're a die hard fan of 80's horror, it goes beyond the point of reminiscence and places you, mind and body, three decades back when horror was at it's prime. And it isn't because you're watching a fantastic, and almost flawless horror film, that's centered around the 80's. It's because, and as odd as this may sound, but for it's genius integrity behind the film, you are in fact watching a horror film from the 80's. As if time travel were possible for a film, and The House of the Devil holds the key.
A lot of people have complaints about the movie's ending. The ending didn't bother me, but it didn't excite me either. To tell you the truth at that point, being that it was at the last two minutes of the movie, it could have ended any way for me. The last two minutes, heck, even less than that, wouldn't change the fact, nor would it put a dent, in how damn near perfect this film was. It really just opens things up for a sequel. Not that I'm anxious to see a sequel. And yes, it's sad to say, it'll probably blow in comparison, but who knows? Plus the more horror movies the better, at least that's how I see it. Or maybe it was that people were complaining about the last 20 minutes, when the killers come into play. I'm not really sure on which ending people were referring to. If that's the case than I totally disagree on that one. When the secrets of the mysterious family were revealed I found it fascinating, and it stirred some action into the mix, with great, gripping tension. You also have to keep in mind, it's exactly like a horror flick from the 80's, every damn inch of it, and the way I see it this should be compared with other horror films of the 80's. And I'll also add on that note, the "ending" here is no less interesting, no in fact, IT IS just as entertaining as many other horror films of the 80's. And as I make many comparisons to this film with horror from the 80's, and treat it like one for that matter, I'm sure director Ti West would be proud that some people, like myself, are comprehending his movie's vision.
Everything before the somewhat violent finale is a creep fest. The tension just builds, and builds, and builds. It's not jaw dropping scary, but this film sure is a fun little spook fest to watch on a dark and stormy night. I would say it's like When a Stranger Calls meets Rosemary's Baby meets Halloween, but all set in the early 80's. Like I said before, this film has that part down pack. From the clothes, the hairdos, cars, scenery, you name it?
The House of the Devil is a work of pure genius. It's one of my favorite horror films of 2009.
"*** The film may provide an introduction for some audience members to the Hitchcockian definition of suspense: It's the anticipation, not the happening, that's the fun."
- Roger Ebert
"The House of the Devil deserves merits for its outstanding writing and filmmaking style, relying more on suspense rather than all out blood and gore. It is one of very few horror films this year that I can wholeheartedly recommend."
- The Horror Review
"The House of the Devil is the best -things that go bump in the night- genre film in a long time. By all means go and see it at the theatre if you can, but I think it would be every bit as good (or maybe even better) to see it at home, at night, alone, which is something I'll be doing as soon as I can get my hands on a copy of this amazing flick."
- Dread Central
"The House of the Devil is easily Ti West's most accomplished work to date and it's a film that both West and Dark Sky Films/MPI should be very, very proud of."
- Bloody-Disgusting
"It's an unpretentious film which asks the audience to go on a ride that downshifts from the in-your-face approach that's so in vogue these days-and rewards them with a good case of the creeps."
- Fangoria
"An excellent thriller that will surely deservedly gain a cult following in years to come."
- Oh, the Horror!
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