Review of The House of the Devil (2009) by Kevin L — 03 Nov 2015

The foreboding in this film is so creepy... to the point your mind is seeing spooks & shadows everywhere. It took every bit of restraint in me not to look up the plot, to comfort myself about what I thought may or may not be coming. The '80s setting was very nice touch (e.g. walkman, rotary phone, mom jeans, etc). Too bad there's a spoiler on the cover and, you know, the title.

But I applaud the filmmakers. It's a very good (if not great) example of building tension.

The problem I have is that the photograph is not strong enough evidence to jump to conclusions. Firstly, the family in the picture don't look dissimilar enough from the real family. I thought it was simply a pic of the Ulman's when they were young. Didn't think it was someone else. Secondly, it could have easily been previous owners, whom the new owners bought the car from. If we're going to be suspicious, we need something significantly stronger.

At one point, they spoil something behind a wall for the viewer, but not for any character. I'm not usually a fan of that.

Her fainting and waking up to things is pretty anti-climactic. I'd have preferred that whatever it is that happens to her, it happens head on, face to face with her pursuer; or at least knowledge that they're imminent, rather than a pretty random unconsciousness, without a clue if anyone is near or not.

She gets away a little too easily. The ending makes little sense. I hate that she didn't kill him, but shot someone else, who didn't need to be.

Also, the hearing of the pee is really unnecessary. How about farts?

Regardless, it's able to rise above these flaws and be a worthy creepshow. It's not about the threat... it's the anticipation of it. Too few horror movies get that right.