*Warning: This review may contain spoilers.*
2009 has been the greatest year for horror flicks, and some of the best ones at that. "Drag Me To Hell" marked Sam Raimi's return to horror, "My Bloody Valentine 3D" brought the 80's back, "The Last House on the Left" was a remake that was better than the original, and "Friday the 13th" gave us the debut of a scarier, more intimidating Jason. There are a lot more, but I don't want to drag out the review. Last night, I watched a great little gem called "The House of the Devil." The film had only gotten a limited release, but all the sites I go on(Bloody-Disgusting, Dread Central, Fangoria, Fearnet) all called it one of the most surprising horror movies in a while. I'm gonna have to agree with them on that.
The film is about a college girl named Samantha, who has just bought a house near her dorm. The deposit is 300 dollars, money that Samantha is very low on. An eclipse is coming along, and Samantha needs something to keep her busy. As she is walking outside her dorm, an ad for a babysitter catches her eye. Interested, Samantha takes the job. However, this is not your average babysitting job. The Ullman's live out in the middle of nowhere, the family is very strange, and there isn't even a child. Instead, Mr. and Mrs. Ullman have a mother who is old and an invalid. They just need Samantha to stay in the house and make sure she is alright. And the Ullman's are offering 400 dollars, which is enough for Samantha to pay for her new house. It's a pretty easy job: Just sit around the house, watch TV, order some pizza. Until there are strange noises in dark places, and when Samantha checks on the old woman, there is no response. What is going on with the Ullman's? And what is the real reason Samantha is there tonight? These people want her for a Satanic ritual, and it's pretty unlikely that Samantha will be able to get out alive.
"The House of the Devil" really surprised me because it is a horror movie that doesn't overdo things. There aren't any CGI effects and gore is very minimal. The one thing the film wants is to creep you out, and isn't that what horror movies are supposed to do?
The movie is made with a classic 80's feel. It doesn't feel like a movie that was made in 2009. There are the very cheesy opening credits with wacky techno music, the hairstyle, the setting, and there are no ipods. It all reminds me of the early 80's, which is one of the reasons why I love it so much.
"The House of the Devil" is a very creepy "things that go bump in the night" flick. It has the creepiness of "When A Stranger Calls," the smarts of a Polanski-esque horror film, and the fun of a "Tales From The Crypt" episode all combined. There will be moments when the camera zooms in on a kitchen sink with water dripping or a telephone that just keeps on ringing. Some of the best horror films use your sense of sound to the greatest ability to keep you on edge, and this film has that ability.
The cast is mostly unknown with a few entertaining cameos. Jocelin Donahue gives a wonderful performance as Samantha. She isn't like all of the other blonde bimbos in the "torture porn" genre. She is just vulnerable and at times strong. That's why I like her character so much. Tom Noonan and Mary Woronov are also very good as Mr. and Mrs. Ullman. Creepy religious freaks don't get any creepier than this. And keep an eye out for a cameo from Dee Wallace as the landlady.
When a movie like "The House of the Devil" is done with originality and skill, it's uncommon. It is a movie with tons of suspense, leading you up to a nerve-shattering finale. I loved the cast, I loved the score, and I loved the approach. "The House of the Devil" is a Satanic movie that for once in a while doesn't suck.
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