The House of the Devil

Magnet Releasing | Release Date: October 30, 2009

6.8	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 104 Ratings

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RoadwarriorDec 10, 2011

It does indeed build an intensity via nostalgic 80's occult angst but it drags out for far too long for so little reward. The leading lady performance is plausible but she cannot single handedly float the film out of it's disappointingIt does indeed build an intensity via nostalgic 80's occult angst but it drags out for far too long for so little reward. The leading lady performance is plausible but she cannot single handedly float the film out of it's disappointing anti-climax. It does have that one good 'jump' moment worth missed heartbeat or two.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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DanielP.Nov 1, 2009

I liked the stylish retro feel of the movie but that was all that I liked. All but the last 20 min of the movie were a bad attempt on subtle suspense (I was just bored). Just as the film started getting good... it was over.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AndrewS.Nov 4, 2009

The build-up hints at something great lurking around the corner... and even pushes your wits at anticipation. And pushes it more, and more, and even more still. The only 'scares' are ridiculously unexplainable, coming in the last 5 The build-up hints at something great lurking around the corner... and even pushes your wits at anticipation. And pushes it more, and more, and even more still. The only 'scares' are ridiculously unexplainable, coming in the last 5 minutes but are too cheap and too fleeting to make up for a movie that really amounts to nothing but an homage to the look (but little else) of 80s horror.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JTDec 12, 2009

The plot for this film has been done a million times (or is it two million?). But the thing that gives it an edge is that the characters are smart & realistic, aspects which are usually tossed aside in 99% of other horror films.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

MattBrady99Oct 15, 2016

How many times have you heard people praise movies or TV shows just based on it's 80's theme and it's nostalgic references. It's happening all the time now.

"Stranger Things" (TV show) "200 Cigarettes" "Wet Hot American Summer" TheHow many times have you heard people praise movies or TV shows just based on it's 80's theme and it's nostalgic references. It's happening all the time now.

"Stranger Things" (TV show)
"200 Cigarettes"
"Wet Hot American Summer"

The list goes on, but I don't want to be here all day. Yeah, it's cool seeing this film or music from the 80's there as the scene plays out. But why do I have this feeling that it's only there because the creator or director wants it there just because he likes that movie or song. The same goes with the setting and the feel that I think is missing in these homages. It just doesn't feel like it's the 80's, even if you throw in the endless references and throw backs.

But then you get a film like "The House of the Devil" that went out of it's way to look and feel like one. It's seriously impressive of the amount of effort and detail that Ti West puts in this. It's the reason why I think "The House of the Devil" stands out from the rest in terms of what it's going for that others try to do. It's more than a homage, it's the real thing.

Now Ti West can be a hit or miss for me. I either like or dislike he's movies. I do respect the guy for doing different projects and tackling themes in movie. I mean, sure, it's nothing new for directors tackling different themes, but for some reason I always keep an eye out for what Ti West dose next. And in "House of the Devil" Ti West brings a very slow burn movie that uses it's homages fittingly in it's film making. He demands you to be patient for what the movie is building up to and doesn't shy away from doing so. It was filmed with 16mm film, giving it a retro stylistic look that matched the decade, which actually did match the decade quite well. Now this what I like to see from Ti West and I can take this as a heavy reminder why this guy is a talented film maker even at a young age.

But what stops "House of the Devil" from being a great movie for me is it's pasting issues. And I know the movie is building up to it's creepy climax as I said before, but it dose take awhile to get there. I found myself kinda bored with some scenes that seem to drag on a bit. I guess you got to have good patience, which I'm 50/50 on me.

While I praise the film for getting the 80's look and feel right visually, but not quite on the audio or sound. Have you ever noticed in 80's movies where the sound of objects, doors and guns firing sound like 80's audio. How awesome would it be if that was included here. This may be a small complaint, but hey, every little detail can make a big difference.

Overall rating: "The House of the Devil" may not be everyone's type of film, just judging by the mix feedback from other people. But for my experience, I enjoyed what I've seen, even if it feels short.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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vandylan92May 24, 2016

I thought this movie was OK. It's not original and the ending was quite disappointing, but I like how they build up a mood rather slowly as opposed to many other horror movies which just go into wacky overdrive after about 5 or 10 minutes. SoI thought this movie was OK. It's not original and the ending was quite disappointing, but I like how they build up a mood rather slowly as opposed to many other horror movies which just go into wacky overdrive after about 5 or 10 minutes. So that is a big plus in my book.

Don't expect any master piece in any sense, but it's an OK movie to be watching for some distraction. I didn't find it scary at any point, but if you find it scary or not I guess depends on your personality.

I also like the 1980s feel of the movie. Not just that it's set in 1983, but it feels like it could have been made during the 1980's and for me that is plus.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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JLuis_001Oct 18, 2020

The story builds an interesting but never truly compelling suspense.
Naturally, that's why it's never scary.
And sadly, as is often the case in horror films of this type, the payoff is not as interesting or satisfying as you might expect,The story builds an interesting but never truly compelling suspense.
Naturally, that's why it's never scary.

And sadly, as is often the case in horror films of this type, the payoff is not as interesting or satisfying as you might expect, and therefore it cannot be argued that its initial achievements outweigh the end results.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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