Review of The Last House on the Left (1972) by Diego O — 26 Jun 2009

Craven explores the human condition, and what human beings are willing to do when they have to. The influence of this film is plain to see in every slasher horror film of the last 3 decades. Indeed, it could so easily have been just another generic revenge/slasher flick, but that's the the genius of Craven, the brutality he inserts into his story is completely necessary, and eerily, the POINT of the film.

Often misunderstood as exploitation, it is in fact, not. You see, the violence and brutality is intrinsic to the point of the film and the message Craven is portraying. And so, 30+ years on, it stands head and shoulders above so many of its peers, as a brilliant, brutal, barbaric social commentary, and one of Craven's finest moments.