The House of the Devil
Magnet Releasing | Release Date: October 30, 2009
6.8
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 104 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
66
Mixed:
24
Negative:
14
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
TarekM.Jan 1, 2010
Finally a correct homage to the 80's horror flicks without any stupid quotes or irony. Rock on Ti West!
3 of 3 users found this helpful
9
horcrux2007Apr 3, 2015
Having heard only good things about this movie from critics and fans, I had to check it out. I gotta say, it certainly didn't disappoint me! The House of the Devil is essentially an 80's movie that was released in 2009. It has all the zoomHaving heard only good things about this movie from critics and fans, I had to check it out. I gotta say, it certainly didn't disappoint me! The House of the Devil is essentially an 80's movie that was released in 2009. It has all the zoom shots, freeze frames, occult themes, and blood that you'd expect from one while not succumbing to the cheap jump scares and bad CGI that's present in many of today's horror films. The movie is about a college student who takes a babysitting job during a lunar eclipse. However, instead of taking care of children, she has to take care of this mysterious old woman who never leaves her room. The dark house, her employers' odd behavior, and this strange woman upstairs adds a layer of mystery to the film, but that mystery can only go on so long until it becomes boring. The slow middle act is only a distraction for what is to come, however, and the film takes a complete 180 into its third act and becomes a bloody, scary, and intense film that kept me gripping my seat for the final 30 minutes. It's on Netflix if you're interested.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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7
itz_giologicalMay 23, 2011
Regarding the buzz 'bout it paying tribute to the classics, I agree with it. I saw the clear influences of Polanski especially his film Rosemary's Baby. It didn't meet my expectations but I still thought it was good. It's clever and theRegarding the buzz 'bout it paying tribute to the classics, I agree with it. I saw the clear influences of Polanski especially his film Rosemary's Baby. It didn't meet my expectations but I still thought it was good. It's clever and the tension slowly builds up until you're left with a disturbing and inexplicable climax.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
GeoffMcNultyFeb 4, 2010
A nearly perfect attempt at making a slow-burning horror movie from the early 1980s. Hindsight is 20/20.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
SpencerNov 2, 2009
A pitch-perfect homage to the glory days of 80's horror, that never once stoops to satire. Every scene is crafted with finesse and absolute devotion. This film feels like a collection of all the memorable bits of horror that we look A pitch-perfect homage to the glory days of 80's horror, that never once stoops to satire. Every scene is crafted with finesse and absolute devotion. This film feels like a collection of all the memorable bits of horror that we look back on fondly, from the lighting, sounds, music, and atmosphere without any of the demerits. Meaning it adheres to the strict genre conventions while at the same time transcending them. Oh, and most importantly, the build up of tension and atmosphere is unbearably intense and it is scary as hell.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
PaulDDec 3, 2009
This movie is awesome. Rarely are horror movies crafted with such obvious care and attention. It relies on pacing and quality rather than in-your-face relentless violence or cliche shocks. One of the best horror movies of the decade.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
AndrewK.Nov 12, 2009
To those who have said the pay-off is not worth the build-up, I'd say maybe they're not approaching the film the right way. The build-up IS the pay-off. The fear and anticipation seething greater and greater (a fear and To those who have said the pay-off is not worth the build-up, I'd say maybe they're not approaching the film the right way. The build-up IS the pay-off. The fear and anticipation seething greater and greater (a fear and anticipation our heroine believes she is feeling naively) is what has the viewer on their seats edge despite what seemingly inane activites the heroine is performing. And, to me, when the climax finally does come, it doesn't seem ridiculous as it does surreal (we were warned from the beginning after all).… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
Christopher_G2Oct 14, 2015
The House of the Devil is one of the better done homages to 80's horror films I have seen in the modern era. The story builds in a very deliberate manner, introducing the characters and it's simple but engrossing story in a deliberate buildThe House of the Devil is one of the better done homages to 80's horror films I have seen in the modern era. The story builds in a very deliberate manner, introducing the characters and it's simple but engrossing story in a deliberate build that surrounds you in creepy atmosphere and increases over time the tension. The film follows a sweet college girl desperate to make some money, gets involved in something she didn't expect; it may not seem like the most original plot, but the way it plays out in not too cliché ridden. Periodically the movies hits with a bang, but mostly it's a gradual climb to the gripping final act. The middle act certainly will frustrate some viewers with it's pace, and it that may make it tedious on a re-watch, but for me the first time through I really enjoyed it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
JamesCannonOct 27, 2014
Superb horror throwback. I actually prefer this horror release to the newer and shinier Cabin the Woods. Though they are two completely different types of movies, this one had great atomsphere and tension, reminiscient of great horrorSuperb horror throwback. I actually prefer this horror release to the newer and shinier Cabin the Woods. Though they are two completely different types of movies, this one had great atomsphere and tension, reminiscient of great horror classics. The ending was excellent in my opinion. Some may get annoyed with the slow burn pacing but I thought it was just right. To top it off it has one of the great michael mann character actors Tom Noonan who is fabulous in this.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
cjm868Apr 1, 2016
An awesome throwback to classic suspense/horror movies. It's clear that the best effort has been made to make it look like this film is straight out of the 1970's. It works too, it really does look like a movie that was made in the 70's; TheAn awesome throwback to classic suspense/horror movies. It's clear that the best effort has been made to make it look like this film is straight out of the 1970's. It works too, it really does look like a movie that was made in the 70's; The clothes, locations/sets, music, hair etc. are all spot on... at least they appear to be because I wasn't around back then.

There's a lot of waiting in this movie but that, like the era emulation, is part of what makes The House of the Devil so good. The suspense builds, "when is something going to happen?" is something that went through my mind a few times, not in a bad way, in more of a "the suspense is getting to me," kind of way.

I'd like to see more movies like this.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
Meth-dudeMar 25, 2018
Very good homage to 70's and 80's horror films. The acting was great, the atmosphere was very well done, it was suspenseful and highly entertaining. Despite the very rushed last act, it's still a tremendous horror movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
JoellemmSep 23, 2016
Ti West creates just what he appears to set out for, a homage to 80's horror flicks, so for this, it is hard to criticise. Cheesy, predictable, and ridiculous, but unlike most modern horrors, it sets out for this; whilst remaining tense andTi West creates just what he appears to set out for, a homage to 80's horror flicks, so for this, it is hard to criticise. Cheesy, predictable, and ridiculous, but unlike most modern horrors, it sets out for this; whilst remaining tense and thrilling, which it achieves. Does not provide anything new, the plot and hints are overly simplistic. But, its entertaining enough, and a refreshing change.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
teddywymanJun 8, 2017
I found this film to be quite enjoyable and well worth the 90 minutes that it takes to watch. It's essentially split into 3 parts: setting up for the story, being in the house, and the climax of the story. The first part is a bit too long, asI found this film to be quite enjoyable and well worth the 90 minutes that it takes to watch. It's essentially split into 3 parts: setting up for the story, being in the house, and the climax of the story. The first part is a bit too long, as the premise is that a girl takes an odd babysitting job when she's desperate for cash, yet she doesn't enter the house until 30 minutes into the movie. However, it still helps to give context to who the characters are and I also thing it lends itself to the slow-building tension created throughout the film. You're still intrigued. Once she's in the house the movie really gets good. The acting is superb, as the family feels a bit off but just normal enough that Samantha decides to stay. It is very tense and you're glued to the edge of your seat. I also don't think the main character is a complete idiot like in many horror movies, and so the way she approaches the situation is probably similar to how anyone else would. I think this makes a bigger difference than one might realize. The climax is a real shocker, however there's some graphics at the beginning of the film that give it away a bit in my opinion. I think the movie would be much better actually if not for these graphics, as the events depicted in the climax are really cleverly hinted at throughout the film, but it would be much more shocking if you only had a slight idea they might be coming. Nonetheless, the film's end is thrilling and smart. It feels a bit rushed though, and again I think the first part should've been shorter so that the climax could've been optimized better. Normally it's probably a 7/10, but as others have pointed out I think this does a really good job of paying homage to the 80's classics that everyone loves. Specifically, this film reminded me quite a bit of Halloween, in how it's shot and how the scares are drawn from you. However the atmosphere, cinematography, and simplicity of it all really creates a great setup. Definitely worth the watch!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
HellHoleHorrorFeb 15, 2022
Modern but old. It is delightfully retro and done to perfection. No CGI! Sound design wasn’t that interesting. It was clear and classic in style but not as dynamic as I would like. Got a similar feel to Drag Me to Hell (2009) in the retroModern but old. It is delightfully retro and done to perfection. No CGI! Sound design wasn’t that interesting. It was clear and classic in style but not as dynamic as I would like. Got a similar feel to Drag Me to Hell (2009) in the retro story way but this one is much more brooding. Occasionally it was a little slow but not a big issue. There's nothing homeless about this. See what I did there. Anyway cute girl and good film in hell. Retro films are the best. They work so well and are so enjoyable.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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