The Last House on the Left (2009)

42% of critics liked it
(146 reviews)
55% of users liked it
(976,613 ratings)

A pair of teenage girls are brutally raped and terrorized by a vicious gang of psychopaths, who subsequently find their cruelty returned tenfold when they seek sanctuary in the home of one of the victim's parents in this contemporary reworking of Wes Craven's controversial 1972 shocker. Shortly… More A pair of teenage girls are brutally raped and terrorized by a vicious gang of psychopaths, who subsequently find their cruelty returned tenfold when they seek sanctuary in the home of one of the victim's parents in this contemporary reworking of Wes Craven's controversial 1972 shocker. Shortly after arriving at her family's secluded lake house, Mari Collingwood (Sara Paxton) and her best friend are abducted by a sadistic prison escapee and his violent crew. Left for dead and nearly in shock after suffering unspeakable abuse at the hands of her captors, Mari realizes that her only hope for survival is to find her way back home. Unfortunately for Mari, her attackers have unwittingly arrived at her parents' home seeking shelter from the authorities. There, Mari's concerned parents, John (Tony Goldwyn) and Emma (Monica Potter), realize to their horror just what grim fate has befallen their beloved daughter. Suppressing their rage in order to lure the killers into a deadly trap, John and Emma quietly hatch a plan to make the three strangers suffer for their grisly transgressions. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Dennis Iliadis
Written By: Carl Ellsworth
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Mar 13, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Aug 18, 2009
Studio: Rogue Pictures

Critic Reviews

David Edelstein, New York Magazine
Extremely entertaining if you don't mind being morally corrupted at every juncture.
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies
It's that first 30 minutes that ruin this movie.
Ben Lyons, At the Movies
Boy, words can not express how much I just loathe and detest this movie.
Mike Mayo, Washington Post
In the end, like virtually every other remake that has been released recently, it's polished and predictable.
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times
A shockingly mundane disappointment taken on its own and a deeply misguided refraction of the original.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Do not go to this movie if you simply seek entertainment. If you're a sociologist tracking the decline of civilization over the past four decades, you're in for a night of solid research.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
the 70s campiness has been stripped away entirely. Now, it just seems like a studio-level snuff film made for no other purpose than to make its audience feel woozy.
Mike Edwards, What Culture
The remake deviates from its source material, giving something new for fans of the original to enjoy/moan about, and employ some imagination with a few of the killings.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
A great argument for the continuing trend of recycling old films, taking an overblown horribly flawed cult classic and turning it in to an utterly stellar revenge picture...
Sam Bathe, Fan The Fire
As remakes go, Last House On The Left is at least a decent addition to the 1972 classic.
William Goss, Cinematical
This version is a capably, confidently, and chillingly effective opportunity to place ourselves in the worst possible shoes for a length of time.
James Rocchi, Common Sense Media
Grim, vengeful horror film well made -- but NOT for kids.
Steve Biodrowski, Cinefantastique
Remaking Last House on the Left seemed like a dubious proposition at best...yet somehow the new HOUSE works better than expected.
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review
... during a wave of pointless and heartless retreads of older material, this brings a surprising improvement over the original.
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review
... superior [to the original] in that it makes clear the conflicting justification and degradation of the retaliation, establishing a grayer level of morality.
Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central
Of the two incarnations of this tale, I've gotta say the remake is a bit more watchable ... but it's definitely not better.
Sonny Bunch, Washington Times
What's most disappointing about the 2009 version is that it strips all the moral ambiguity from the 1972 original of the same name.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Unlike the Craven film, there's little of the audience implication that made these visions of violated innocence and draining retribution so troubling.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Bucolic class warfare, while toying sadistically with the wrongheaded notion that victims likewise harbor inner homicidal maniacs waiting to be set free. But undeniably super-scary, just when you thought that genre had been done to death, no pun.
Paul Chambers, CNNRadio
Not quite as bad as I thought it was going to be. The original was downright awful.

Read all 23 critic reviews

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Directors C

[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon13.gif[/img] I have very peculiar, mixed and sort of concerned feelings about this film. 2009's Friday the 13th was a remake that was worth doing because the original had almost no redeeming features about it.… More
[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon13.gif[/img] I have very peculiar, mixed and sort of concerned feelings about this film. 2009's Friday the 13th was a remake that was worth doing because the original had almost no redeeming features about it. Although a cash in it was surprisingly good for what it was. However I must also applaud it for being greater than this remake. Interestingly, the original 1972 classic "Last House on the Left" was trashily made, abandoned of a consistent tone and was essentialy an extremely unpleasant film to watch. It was famous for being one of the most controversial members of the "video nasties" in 1982 which were a collection of gritty and repugnant films that were deemed dangerous for a human being to watch. Even though it was badly made, it remains a historical artifact about challenging the boundaries and attacking censorship and like I said that it all added up to a very unpleasant, horrible, disgusting experience. The remake of The Last House on the Left doesn't have any point to exist other than one, money. It's a finely directed, impressively acted and highly scrubbed and polished piece of work. But it has no excuse for existing. It's not a bad film but it's actually more extravagant, silly and sympathetic than the original because it promotes the idea of salvation over violence. But much more harshly and importantly the original film's message to the viewer was; violence creates violence.
Jeff "

Interesting remake of Wes Craven's 1972 film, The Last House on the Left. I view Craven's original film as an exploitation horror classic that pushed the boundaries of good taste. With that said, this remake is still pretty disturbing and delivers some brutal scenes of… More
Interesting remake of Wes Craven's 1972 film, The Last House on the Left. I view Craven's original film as an exploitation horror classic that pushed the boundaries of good taste. With that said, this remake is still pretty disturbing and delivers some brutal scenes of revenge mayhem. I much preferred the original film of course, but as a remake, this film isn't bad. As a remake of the original, I thought that this film was pretty good. The film improves on Wes Craven's film in some respects. The film is better than most remakes, but as a whole you'd be better off to stick with the classic film. Nothing can beat Craven's debut. This film has plenty of good, effective moments of tension and is a revenge flick. However there is something missing to really make it stand out above Craven's film, and since this is a remake; it really can't be as good as the original. There's some good performances and like I said, considering the whole remake factor, that's saying a lot. The film has its faults, but for the most part it succeeds at being an effective horror flick, and one that stands out among the better remakes that have come out in recent memory. If you've enjoyed the original, then give this version a shot. The film is definitely worth checking out, and despite its flaws, has something that will definitely appeal to horror fans. For a remake, this film is watchable and definitely a step above the traditional Asian horror remakes.
Unknown H

As remakes go I don't this one faired too badly, but then again there are not many movies as good as the original to work with. Similar to the likes of "I Spit On Your Grave" this movie puts the audience in the hands of the victims and not the killers, as those they… More
As remakes go I don't this one faired too badly, but then again there are not many movies as good as the original to work with. Similar to the likes of "I Spit On Your Grave" this movie puts the audience in the hands of the victims and not the killers, as those they have harmed literally reap bloody revenge. I like this spin on films, whereby you're actually rooting for the good guys for once. Convincing acting, memorably horrific storyline and great suspense, this is one movie that I am happy was remade, even though I still think the original is better, but hey, I'm a purist.
Lee ?

The original was groundbreaking and influencial for its day, it was far from great but it was still an unpleasant little film. This remake may be better made but it lacks the rawness and gritty realism of the Wes Craven original. It's a decent effort to be fair with a bit more… More
The original was groundbreaking and influencial for its day, it was far from great but it was still an unpleasant little film. This remake may be better made but it lacks the rawness and gritty realism of the Wes Craven original. It's a decent effort to be fair with a bit more graphic violence and some effective suspense towards the end. It's a straight forward remake at the end of it all though that provides enough barbaric shocks to make your casual horror fan feel uneasy, but for hardend horror goers it's all routine stuff that's watchable but forgettable.
Bruce B

About as good as a thriller crime drama that your going to come across. I put off watching this because of the title I thought it was going to be one of those boring everybody's doing it type movie ( i.e.: Wrong Turn). But again I was wrong. The unrated version is version I saw… More
About as good as a thriller crime drama that your going to come across. I put off watching this because of the title I thought it was going to be one of those boring everybody's doing it type movie ( i.e.: Wrong Turn). But again I was wrong. The unrated version is version I saw and the attack in this movie is about as real to life as your gonna see without being there. Bottom line in this flick is don't mess with my daughter. Worth 4 stars
Jason C

I didn't like the original, I can do without realistic violence against women. It was shocking. Surprisingly, 37 years later they opted to tone it down significantly. Without the shock value, you're left with a stupid story and characters void of depth. I'd call… More
I didn't like the original, I can do without realistic violence against women. It was shocking. Surprisingly, 37 years later they opted to tone it down significantly. Without the shock value, you're left with a stupid story and characters void of depth. I'd call this shit, but that's not fair. Manure can be used to create something of substance. This franchise is beneath shit.
Richard C

B+
Lewis C

Want to see a few evil people get exactly what they deserve, at the hands of a pair of vengeful parents? If yes, The Last House on The Left was made for you. It's a throwback to an earlier time when horror didn't only equate a zombie outbreak or hauntings, it could be… More
Want to see a few evil people get exactly what they deserve, at the hands of a pair of vengeful parents? If yes, The Last House on The Left was made for you. It's a throwback to an earlier time when horror didn't only equate a zombie outbreak or hauntings, it could be something as simple and as realistic as a few decent people running afoul of..well, some not so decent people. The villains were often nothing more than sadistic, psychotic avatars of pure evil. These kinds of movies weren't exactly subtle, and they could be almost exploitative in their use of violence and carnage. Not for the faint of heart, to say the least. And The Last House on the Left is a remake of one of those movies. Which means that like the original, it doesn't pull many punches. Some scenes are downright difficult to watch. It's grim and bleak, and even the eventual triumph of the protagonists is marked by vengeful savagery. I can't really say that I "enjoyed" most of it, but it did appeal to the part of me that likes to see evil get its comeuppance. This is worth watching for anyone with a tolerance for uncomfortable scenes and an affinity for old school terror and violence.
MisterYoda ?

This film follows four criminals on the lam who encounter a pair of nubile female teens in a small mountain town. After murdering one and brutally raping the other and leaving her for dead, the cons seek refuge at a nearby summer house.The twist is that it's the very home… More
This film follows four criminals on the lam who encounter a pair of nubile female teens in a small mountain town. After murdering one and brutally raping the other and leaving her for dead, the cons seek refuge at a nearby summer house.The twist is that it's the very home inhabited by the parents of one of the victims. Just finished watching The Last House on the Left and I have to say that it was quite a disappointment. I was in the mood for a horror/thriller but despite all the violence and gory moments, this flick can be quite boring at times. Mainly because of the plot, which was too simple for its own good. Also some of the dialogue was pretty crappy and unrealistic. Yes, there's a lot of terror(not horror) and blood which is what most people are expecting from this kind of film but without a solid story in the background the film becomes dull and senseless. The cast ( Sara Paxton, Aaron Paul,Monica Potter, Garret Dillahunt) did a great job, with the exception of Tony Goldwyn who for the most part of the film, looked terribly apathetic delivering a very wooden performance. The film was also beautifully shot and the cinematography is impressive. Having said that, good acting and a nice image isn't enough. The plot is indeed very thin and almost an excuse to show violence. This one is a miss.
Film C

Well this remake is better than the original, but still not that entertaining!! Its quite a bit different from the original and it still wasnt the suspenseful and still pretty disturbing in places as well!! i guess if you like movies/thrillers that arent that exciting and easy to… More
Well this remake is better than the original, but still not that entertaining!! Its quite a bit different from the original and it still wasnt the suspenseful and still pretty disturbing in places as well!! i guess if you like movies/thrillers that arent that exciting and easy to folow then this is good but its not great for making excited about the movie!
Dean !

I've not seen the original but this is a violent, gory brutal film not all will like for that alone. For what it is a simple revenge tale it's very good, well acted and produced. It is just a very simple story though and it has quite a long build up. One for horror fans… More
I've not seen the original but this is a violent, gory brutal film not all will like for that alone. For what it is a simple revenge tale it's very good, well acted and produced. It is just a very simple story though and it has quite a long build up. One for horror fans mainly.
Tony G

Drains all sadistic originality out of original's famously twisted revenge tale
Dan S

Although very flawed and occasionally unwatchable, this is a very well made film concerning a worst-case scenario of parents fighting back against the family of four who raped and shot their daughter. Although there are times Garret Dillahunt isn't as creepy as he should be, the… More
Although very flawed and occasionally unwatchable, this is a very well made film concerning a worst-case scenario of parents fighting back against the family of four who raped and shot their daughter. Although there are times Garret Dillahunt isn't as creepy as he should be, the rest of the acting is relatively strong, especially Tony Goldwyn and Monica Potter, who throw logic out the door and use their instincts instead. The violence is indeed extreme, and sometimes the director seems to be confusing close-up shots as character development, but overall the tension and suspense that director Dennis Iliadis is able to create is something that many horror films can learn from. The ending is unbearably stupid however, and this is really an impossible movie to recommend, since it's undoubtedly a polarizing one.
Wahida K

lol my Best Friend compared this Movie with Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Not exactly, it sort of the Pianata or something.
Alexander W

Horror film gone wrong. The makers of the film got their education from WalMart. Shaky camera. Rubber props (fire extinguisher). Unrelated violence. I failed to see what crime the bad guys actually did, where as the parents were more evil than satan. Not so bad acting but if I had… More
Horror film gone wrong. The makers of the film got their education from WalMart. Shaky camera. Rubber props (fire extinguisher). Unrelated violence. I failed to see what crime the bad guys actually did, where as the parents were more evil than satan. Not so bad acting but if I had watched this expecting a decent horror story I would be massively let down. Bad bad bad!
Lanning :

You are kidding me, right? This movie did not get made, and all that money wasn't wasted on this project, right? It was a dream I had, right? Geez I don't know -- I cannot fathom -- what made me sit through this entire thing. Arrrrrrrrgh! Makes Blair… More
You are kidding me, right? This movie did not get made, and all that money wasn't wasted on this project, right? It was a dream I had, right? Geez I don't know -- I cannot fathom -- what made me sit through this entire thing. Arrrrrrrrgh! Makes Blair Witch look like Citizen Kane.
Dean M

This Wes Craven's 1972 shocker remake brings less shocked with violence between the gang and one of their victims' parents. Rising star Garret Dillahunt is brilliantly fear-povoking as the villianous Krug and young Sara Paxton is unforgettable in a brave performance for a… More
This Wes Craven's 1972 shocker remake brings less shocked with violence between the gang and one of their victims' parents. Rising star Garret Dillahunt is brilliantly fear-povoking as the villianous Krug and young Sara Paxton is unforgettable in a brave performance for a young actress, as one of the film's tragically scarred victims. Greek director Dennis Iliadis and a good cast do what they can, but the film never escapes its own pointlessness. The abuse and gore are mild compared with the old movie or recent Hostel-style fare, and the camera's ogling of teenage girls is circumscribed by the fact that only the adult psycho bitch (Riki Lindhome) does nudity. It fills in the shock gap with too many thwarted escape attempts or hokey in-the-knowisms.
E.J. B

I don't know. I've seen this movie three times now. Wes Craven's 1972 Last House on the Left was an unforgiving, brutal horror picture where everybody suffers. The Virgin Spring, the Swedish Ingmar Bergman film that influenced Craven's film, is one of the best… More
I don't know. I've seen this movie three times now. Wes Craven's 1972 Last House on the Left was an unforgiving, brutal horror picture where everybody suffers. The Virgin Spring, the Swedish Ingmar Bergman film that influenced Craven's film, is one of the best films ever made. So here we have the 2009 remake of the 1972 remake of The Virgin Spring. Get that? While this updated version is competently made, it will be forgotten as quickly as it has been released. I just simply don't see what this film has to offer that the other two didn't. Wes Craven's 1972 version is unforgiving in its brutality, and its a definite shocker, a horror film if I've ever seen one. Bergman's The Virgin Spring was less about the violence and more about forgiveness. This 2009 version is violent, but the violence has been extremely toned down. I refuse to compare the 2009 and 1972 films because such a comparison would involve grading rape scenes, stabbings, beatings, and I'm just not interested in doing that. The 1972 film left me shocked. When the parents began plotting their revenge on those who harmed their daughter, I wanted them to get even. I couldn't help but watch this 2009 film passively. The violence disturbed me, yes, but having seen the film in two other incarnations, I knew what was coming and could prepare myself. At the end, I watched as the film got to revel in the parents' revenge. This time, a man gets his head blown off in a microwave. Is that really necessary? This scene seems to be nothing more than a product of its time: coming up with creative ways to kill people onscreen. This film just exists. The performances aren't bad. The filmmaking itself isn't bad. But this film itself doesn't do anything the other previous versions don't do better.
Josh L

People who dismiss this as "torture porn" have no idea what they are talking about. This movie snuck up and floored me with its fantastic performances and twisty/compelling plot. It's a tension filled and adrenaline pumping horror movie and certainly the best one so far… More
People who dismiss this as "torture porn" have no idea what they are talking about. This movie snuck up and floored me with its fantastic performances and twisty/compelling plot. It's a tension filled and adrenaline pumping horror movie and certainly the best one so far this year. It isn't for everyone, but for the people who can stomach it I definitely recommend it.
Al S

A adreniline-fuelled, no-holds-barred edge of your seat thriller thats has your pulse-racing and your blood chilling right to the very end. It's definately one of the best horror remakes ever made. A sadistic, disturbing and brilliant film. It shakes you right ot the core and… More
A adreniline-fuelled, no-holds-barred edge of your seat thriller thats has your pulse-racing and your blood chilling right to the very end. It's definately one of the best horror remakes ever made. A sadistic, disturbing and brilliant film. It shakes you right ot the core and frys your nerves like your woulding belive. Full-on terror and suspense that never lets up. Tony Goldwynn and Monica Potter give riveting and emotionally charged performances. Garret Dillahunt gives a teriffic and sadisticly evil performance. A surprisingly well-crafted and superbly performend film.