The Last House on the Left (1972)

63% of critics liked it
(30 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(26,428 ratings)

Wes Craven's first film was a crude but shocking horror opus that, like George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead (1968), became a grind house hit largely because it went much further than terror films before it had been willing to go. Often compared to Ingmar Bergman's stark medieval rape drama… More Wes Craven's first film was a crude but shocking horror opus that, like George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead (1968), became a grind house hit largely because it went much further than terror films before it had been willing to go. Often compared to Ingmar Bergman's stark medieval rape drama The Virgin Spring (1960) (though one wonders whether this was influence or just coincidence), Last House on the Left follows a group of teenage girls heading into the city when they hook up with a gang of drug-addled ne'er-do-wells and are brutally murdered. The killers find their way to the home of one of their victim's parents, where both father and mother exact a horrible revenge. Like Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre two years later, Last House on the Left was an unrelievedly dark vision of contemporary horror that inspired many future films which copied its effects without achieving its visceral impact. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Wes Craven
Genres: Horror, Classics, Cult Movies

In Theaters: Aug 30, 1972 Wide
On DVD: Aug 27, 2002

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
It isn't artistically adroit, but if success in this genre is counted by squirms, it's a success.
Howard Thompson, New York Times
The party who wrote this sickening tripe and also directed the inept actors is Wes Craven.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
A tough, bitter little sleeper of a movie that's about four times as good as you'd expect.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
A depraved exploitation film specifically designed to shock and repulse viewers...also a cultural artifact reflective of and reactive to the time it was made... [Blu-ray]
Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central
For those of you who never bothered with the import release, you'll find yourself in a state of filthy nirvana. So, double-dip away without hesitation!
Staci Layne Wilson, Horror.com
The Last House on the Left Collector's Edition is a mishmash of already-seen extras, but there are some all-new bonus features including commentary by Hess, Sheffler and Lincoln.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
The exceedingly low-rent production values subsequently ensure that the more overtly horrific elements within Craven's script often fall completely flat...
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Amateurish bloodbath that became a cult-horror hit.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
An ugly, disturbing, passionately conceived cult favorite, Last House on the Left is much more complex (albeit crudely made) than its controversial reputation would suggest.
, Empire Magazine
Sartorially dated certainly, but still powerful, disturbing and raw.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Craven and company tap into something hot, dark and deep.
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
if one is not disgusted enough to stop watching, one is left wishing that the movie would show more than it does
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's disgusting and gripping at the same time.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Craven's cold, flat style of filming emphasises the fact that the violence dehumanises not only the victims but the aggressors.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
A estúpida tentativa de combinar cenas de violência realista com outras de humor pedestre anula o impacto do filme e nos leva a questionar a sanidade do jovem Craven.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Christopher H

How Wes Craven was aloud to make another film after this travesty is beyond me. Wes Craven seemed to have been so focused on being shocking and grotesque, that he forgot to make an actual movie. Everything about this schlock screams amateurism and incompetence. The acting is… More
How Wes Craven was aloud to make another film after this travesty is beyond me. Wes Craven seemed to have been so focused on being shocking and grotesque, that he forgot to make an actual movie. Everything about this schlock screams amateurism and incompetence. The acting is laughable, the dialogue is ridiculous, the editing is inept, and the film's tone is all over the place. The film makes very misguided attempts at juxtaposition by playing cheesy 70's folk music and having annoying "comedic" banter between the film's two sherifs. The film's use of comedic interludes between the torture scenes with the two main girls are not only inappropriate but frustrated me at the thought that the filmmakers thought it was a good idea. Take away the film's sadistic torture and rape scenes, their is little in the way of actual artistic merit. The story is very bland and light, with absolutely zero plot twists. There is nothing horrifying, thrilling, or funny about this film, it is just a shameless exercise in sadism. This movie is neither a horror flick nor a thriller, it is just garbage made by hacks that was only made to shock, nothing more.
Melvin W

Krug Stillo: Listen to daddy. I want you to take the gun, and I want you to put it in your mouth, and I want you to turn around and blow your brains out. Blow your brains out, BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT! "Mari, 17, is dying. Even for her, the worst is yet to come." I've… More
Krug Stillo: Listen to daddy. I want you to take the gun, and I want you to put it in your mouth, and I want you to turn around and blow your brains out. Blow your brains out, BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT! "Mari, 17, is dying. Even for her, the worst is yet to come." I've seen Wes Craven's The Last House on the Left, three times now. Despite, its classification as a classic of the horror genre, I really don't care for it. Forty years after its release, this just doesn't have the same effect on people that it did when it came out. Upon release, it was a controversial shocker. Now, it is just a badly acted exploitation film that has dated horribly and features some of the most godawful music I have ever heard in a movie. Nothing really fits together. Craven is making a sadistic shocker, but misses out on some key elements he needed. The tone is all wrong for a film like this and everything is overblown to the point of ridiculousness. Such as Krug's crime that originally landed him in prison. He had killed a priest and two nuns, and now he has his son hooked on heroin so he can control him. Craven wants to make us fear these characters, but all we can do is laugh at them because they are so terribly written. This isn't the horror classic some describe it as. It's early Wes Craven and it has the same look and feeling of his The Hills Have Eyes movies. Neither of which do I like either. I like the remake of The Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes much, much more than Craven's original. This is do mainly to the fact that they make things more serious and achieve a much heavier and more terrifying tone. Carven's initial thought with The Last House on the Left had a lot of potential. It all just went downhill with all the lousy dialogue and characters. Sadistic movies have definitely came worse than this one, though. It isn't the worst movie of its kind that you could watch, but the classic status it has received is annoying and unwarranted. All it is, is a movie that pissed a lot of people off in 1972, that looks like a cheap and poorly made exploitation film. There's hundreds of those and they don't get this classic status. You may feel you need to watch this one, especially if you are a horror fan, but there is really no need.
Jeff "

This movie has been deemed one of the most depraved horror films ever. The movie shows graphic rape, and torture scenes. It'll make you uneasy. I'm usually not squeamish watching films like this; but for this one I was. The story is unsparing. Wes Craven leaves nothing out.… More
This movie has been deemed one of the most depraved horror films ever. The movie shows graphic rape, and torture scenes. It'll make you uneasy. I'm usually not squeamish watching films like this; but for this one I was. The story is unsparing. Wes Craven leaves nothing out. It's violent and gory and horrifying all at once. I personally think that this was The Devil's Rejects of its day. And that says a lot. The film overall is great; I definitely felt uneasy. One of the most disturbing horror films ever. The film has a lot of tension, which really elevates the film . There some good performances here, obviously David Hess' performance being the standout here. The Last House on the Left is a powerful film that plays on your deepest fear to create effective terror that will distu8rb you. This film was only surpassed in disturbing content by Cannibal Holocaust in 1980. This film is not for the faint of heart, and for a horror fan who's seen a lot of the genre, that says a lot. Fans of horror exploitation will surely enjoy this ride into madness, and this is a film that you will not soon forget. The actors are chilling in their on-screen menace and the two actresses that are being raped by the gang are very effective in their performances. This is a a powerful that redefined exploitation horror. I very much enjoyed the film, but I found it hard to watch as well. If you're not used to these types of film s, then you should pass up on this one. If you love all types of horror, and haven't seen this, then pick it up; it's a memorable ride into madness.
Directors C

A lot better than you might have expected. The Last House on the Left is a classic 70's exploitational horror movie with most of the scares and thrills coming not from the gore, but from the irony, tragedy and atmosphere.
Jason O

I saw the remake before I saw this one, the original. I have to say, the remake is far better and both feel like totally different films, but this film is good in its own right as well.
Anthony L

The last house on the left was a pioneer for independent film and pushed the boundaries of cinema and censorship, for that it should be congratulated and remembered. However, it's a sick and horrible little film with very few redeeming features. It's not my cup of tea, I… More
The last house on the left was a pioneer for independent film and pushed the boundaries of cinema and censorship, for that it should be congratulated and remembered. However, it's a sick and horrible little film with very few redeeming features. It's not my cup of tea, I like my horror with a slice of comedy but if it has to be dark, it's what you don't see that always strikes me as more effective - the question is, would this film be half as notorious as it is, had it not been banned. A clever way of getting ahead for a young director. It's also a blatant reworking of Bergman's The Virgin Spring, he even admits so in the DVDs extras. More a slice of cinematic history than horror classic.
Chris G

Last House On The Left is an example of early 1970's exploitation cinema that deals with Mari (Sandra Cassell) and her friend Phyllis (Lucy Grantham) as they indulge on the eve of Mari becoming a woman ie. turning seventeen years old. They go to a concert in the big, bad city and… More
Last House On The Left is an example of early 1970's exploitation cinema that deals with Mari (Sandra Cassell) and her friend Phyllis (Lucy Grantham) as they indulge on the eve of Mari becoming a woman ie. turning seventeen years old. They go to a concert in the big, bad city and wind up in the hands of Krug (David Hess) and his gang of fugitives. In the process of heading for Canada both girls are tortured, raped, and eventually killed. Ironically, their car breaks down in front of the home of Mari's parents (Gaylord St. James and Cynthia Carr). The group spends the night at their house posing as traveling insurance salesmen, but what happens when Mari's parents find out who they really are and what they did. So what is Last House On The Left? Is it an early work of genius from Wes Craven? A masterpiece that showed a man that was well on his way to create films like The Hills Have Eyes and Nightmare On Elm Street? Is this effect doubled because it was produced by Sean "Friday The 13th" Cunningham? This is why the legend of this movie has grown as much as it has- because of the folks involved in it. This film is no different than the hundreds of other drive-in exploitation films that were being pumped out of various producers garages in the early 1970's. It's no better and no worse. A bad script, bad acting, a lack of money, and an inexperienced director makes this film almost laughable if it wasn't for the violence on the screen. That's the key to a film like this and I Spit On Your Grave. A quote comes to mind when thinking about these two films. One comes from Roger Ebert's original review of Spit in which he discusses a fellow patron at the theater he was watching the film at saying "that was a good one" at the end of one of the numerous rapes scenes in that film. There's an audiences for stuff like this. It's like porn. Screw the plot, as long as it has that stuff and an unsatisfying conclusion. Just look at this like a rough draft for some of the films that Wes Craven would make later. It's his first one so we can't be to hard on the guy. it was the genre in 1972. But a classic of horror cinema? If that's the case then you can call a used piece of toilet paper a classic too.
AJ V

This is the original, do not see the remake! This movie is crazy and more horrific than the new one. If you love horror movies, you can't miss this one.
Conner R

This is one of the most effective and well done American horror movies of the seventies and it still has the same effect to this day. What Wes Craven did is create a true sense of terror because the story is every parents worst nightmare for their children. A young girl is kidnapped… More
This is one of the most effective and well done American horror movies of the seventies and it still has the same effect to this day. What Wes Craven did is create a true sense of terror because the story is every parents worst nightmare for their children. A young girl is kidnapped with her friend on the way to a concert. Then subsequently force-addicted to heroin. Rape is also involved, as well as the death of both girls. The rest is a really original ans suspenseful revenge story that will never probably be matched. The filming and style is extremely surreal and almost too close to a super-8 home movie, maybe that's why it feels so real to a lot of people. This to me is what people epitomize the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre to be.
Chris W

A horror film in the true sense of the word. This is one of the finest low budget grindhouse/exploitation films ever made. It's not all that dissimilar from many of those films, a great deal of which a far inferior, but what sets this films apart is that it makes an effort at… More
A horror film in the true sense of the word. This is one of the finest low budget grindhouse/exploitation films ever made. It's not all that dissimilar from many of those films, a great deal of which a far inferior, but what sets this films apart is that it makes an effort at having artistry. The music in particular is a great example of this. During the terrible moments involving Mari and Phyllis, the music is contrasting to the acts on display. During the finale, the music is more fitting, as it is not upbeat, but rather dischordant, dissonant noise-not easy to listen to, and perfectly fitting the violence that it plays over. This is an all together gruesome affair, but the film hits the audience with more than just a viscera lpunch to the gut. It hits hard emotionally and mentally as well. You could write an academic essay arguing how morality plays into the film, and could easily provide an argument defending what Mari's parents do as justifiable, even though what they do is almost as bad as what Krug and Co. do. The fact that the audience can identify with the girls and feel sorry for them is what makes this an unforgettable and terrifying film. It's low budget and the time period that it was made are easily seen, but those are forgiveable if everything else works, but also can help a film at times, giving it a more raw and messy feel that only adds to the atmosphere. Part of why my grade is so high is because this is just a good movie in general, but also because it was the debut film of the now legendary Wes Craven. The film's producer Sean S. Cunningham, would go on eight years later to cement his place in history by directing a little horror movie called Friday the 13th. Steve Miner, the assistant editor on this film, would likewise go on to do more work in the horror field, directing the two immediate sequels to Friday the 13th, then later, one of the many sequels in the Halloween franchise. If you can find this one, give it a shot. It's by no means perfect, but is certainly a great work nonetheless.
Cassandra M

Whether you love it or hate it (there really seems to be no in-between), you must admit that Last House on the Left is a powerful film. In my opinion, it may be one of the most important American films ever made. Screw Scream--this is Wes Craven's best. Combining professional and… More
Whether you love it or hate it (there really seems to be no in-between), you must admit that Last House on the Left is a powerful film. In my opinion, it may be one of the most important American films ever made. Screw Scream--this is Wes Craven's best. Combining professional and amateurish elements on a low budget, it has the scratchy, over-saturated look of a perverse home movie--and the rough edges make it all the more unforgettable. The actors are very good, especially David A. Hess in his definitive role as sadistic sex murderer Krug and Jeramie Rain as a deranged woman obviously modeled after Sadie Glutz. The brutal rape-murders and scenes of vengeance are staged in a chilling, claustrophobic manner that makes you feel like you're there. Oddly enough, the clash of light (the comically inept cops, the cheery soundtrack) and dark elements creates a juxtaposition that's even more disturbing; despite what's happening, the three nuts are enjoying themselves without remorse and the rest of the world just bounces along obliviously. Also, the cop scenes often provide a necessary break from the brutality, giving you a brief second to breathe before plunging you back in. A tone of grim tension is maintained throughout, and it clings to you long after you've left the Last House. How, you ask, could a person enjoy something like this? Because it does what a horror movie is ultimately supposed to do, and I know that in the end, "It's only a movie...only a movie...only a movie..."
Aditya G

A wasted opportunity...a terrible film! : I absolutely hate the "Nightmare on Elm Street" movies and have considered Wes Craven to be the most overrated directors of all time. But I read in several places that his directorial debut, "The Last House on the… More
A wasted opportunity...a terrible film! : I absolutely hate the "Nightmare on Elm Street" movies and have considered Wes Craven to be the most overrated directors of all time. But I read in several places that his directorial debut, "The Last House on the Left" was supposed to be his best effort and far better than his later movies. After reading the movie synopsis, it seemed promising enough and so I decided to watch this movie. But I was in for a disappointment, to find a great premise for a film (which is a rip-off of Ingmar Bergman's 'The Virgin Spring'), wasted completely. There are several reasons why the film is utterly tasteless.. To name a few of its bad qualities...there's some terrible, terrible acting..with the exception of perhaps David Hess who aptly plays a sick, demented rapist. There is a completely out-of-place soundtrack and background score, which is far from the mood that any particular scene is supposed to create!! I mean, if it's gotta be a shock thriller, then there has to be a creepy soundtrack to complement it. But what you get is a cheerful 70s style score instead, playing in the background as the brutal events in this "movie" unfold! The much touted "graphic" violence is mostly off-screen and not much is actually shown..what we get is more of the crappy soundtrack (electronic PC speaker-like sound for stabbing?!?! Gimme a break!) and the moments AFTER the brutality has actually happened. And did I mention the completely unnatural sequences and mannerisms from the characters?? The reaction and the subsequent actions of the parents of the brutally raped/murdered girl are so unnatural, I don't know whether to blame it on the bad acting or the bad direction. Oh..and the icing on this stale and tacky cake is the totally unnecessary comical acts of the two bungling cops! (good grief!) Did we really need that in a shock thriller/horror whatever-you-may-wanna-call-it movie? And why use them as fillers in this already concise movie with a running length of not more than 85 minutes? These really ridiculous comic scenes have some more of that stupid music playing in the background! All in all, there is absolutely nothing in this movie that can give it the tag of being dark or shocking! This is a wasted opportunity..a premise that would've made a great picture, had it been handled by a more talented director.
Randy T

Okay, I told myself I wouldn't use the word "disturbing" in any more of my reviews, but I just can not talk about LAST HOUSE without saying it.
Martin S

I'm not sure what to think of this...It was a good movie...but there was something missing....I can't put my finger on it
Film C

A 'cult classic' 'a really nail biting horror', well i dont think so, admittedly for a 1970's movie i wasnt expecting it to be good but the 70's really dont know how to set the mood really, it was mainly set in the daylight with reasonably happy music… More
A 'cult classic' 'a really nail biting horror', well i dont think so, admittedly for a 1970's movie i wasnt expecting it to be good but the 70's really dont know how to set the mood really, it was mainly set in the daylight with reasonably happy music which really doesnt set the scene, it doesnt keep you on the edge of your seat of keep you interested in the movie at all i wazs actually surprised i watched it all! first the story starts of with to girls who fall into the hands of 3 criminals wanted for murder then when they are finished with the girls they stay at the house on the left where they meet there match!!! Really unsuppenseful and boring!
Eric S

A quite different 1972 horror film written and directed by Wes Craven and produced by Sean S. Cunningham of "A Nightmare on Elm Street"and "Friday the 13th" notoriety. The film is the tale of a pair of teenage girls on their way to a rock concert for one's… More
A quite different 1972 horror film written and directed by Wes Craven and produced by Sean S. Cunningham of "A Nightmare on Elm Street"and "Friday the 13th" notoriety. The film is the tale of a pair of teenage girls on their way to a rock concert for one's seventeenth birthday. Things go utterly awry when they attempt to score marijuana on the way to the show from a young man who turns out to be a member of a gang of psychotic convicts. The realism of this film is what makes it horrific, and a reminder of what is so possible in our world. I must applaud Craven for his work because it's unlike anything I've seen in the genre. You can see the ground this film laid for slasher films yet to come even though this film lies in a genre of it's own.
Aaron N

Krug Stillo: We don't wanna off someone first night out. I mean, it'd be a shame to get this floor all messed up with blood. Further proof that the 70s were a wonderful time for horror films, although this is less of a horror film and more of a series of unfortunate and… More
Krug Stillo: We don't wanna off someone first night out. I mean, it'd be a shame to get this floor all messed up with blood. Further proof that the 70s were a wonderful time for horror films, although this is less of a horror film and more of a series of unfortunate and fucked up events involving two teenage girls and a group of escaped psychotic killer convicts. Wes Craven's first feature film is one that is designed to make you feel uncomfortable. It features nasty characters doing horrible things to innocent people. The acting and dialog of some of the characters is somewhat hokey early on, but its low budget and gritty approach makes it both forgivable and still disturbing. The twist in the third act further turns the story on its head and certainly brings the movie into its appropriate cult classic horror status. Cheap, engaging, and disturbing. Krug Stillo: Listen to daddy. I want you to take the gun, and I want you to put it in your mouth, and I want you to turn around and blow your brains out. Blow your brains out, BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT!
Greg S

Two teenaged girls are kidnapped by a gang of lowlifes and raped and abused. Zero suspense, zero comic relief, zero art, only a willingness to depict naked sadism in loving detail.
Brian D

Set the bench mark when release in 1972.A truely gritty and unpleaset movie . This movie is very badly dateted now and might put off a lot of horror/movie fans but if so still worth checking out for Wes Craven first movie.
_kelly .

Wes Craven's debut has caused me to have many a debate with other horror fans, who think the movie doesn't have the same ability to shock in today's market, but I was freaked out, whereas most current stuff of this type just makes me laugh. I think the characters have… More
Wes Craven's debut has caused me to have many a debate with other horror fans, who think the movie doesn't have the same ability to shock in today's market, but I was freaked out, whereas most current stuff of this type just makes me laugh. I think the characters have alot, for me, to do with sustaining the fear this movie can generate. Horror Not to Miss List Commentary: As so many films have been influenced by this one little no budget indie project (and two of horror's biggest names Craven and Sean Cunningham began their careers with it), it is essential viewing for horror students. And for those who want a movie with realistic killers and fully expressed personalities, watch this instead of your SawHostel tripe. "So Fucked Up" highlight: forcing the girl to urinate herself (actress really did it on set)