5 Reasons Why I Still Can’t Get Enough of House of the Devil
If you know me, you definitely know how fond I am of writer/director Ti West’s 2009 film, House of the Devil. I recommended it to everyone, even to people I don’t know! Simply put, it's a fantastic film with an extreme amount of artistic detail and effort put into it.
I still remember the first time I rented it from Netflix. I literally knew nothing about it, which to me is the best way to watch any movie. I turned out the lights, popped some popcorn, and hit play, and immediately I was taken back by the look and feel of the film. So, without further ado, here is the breakdown of why I love this film so much and continue to watch it often.
A horror film is only as good as its protagonist. A good one will make you care about them and their well being. This was the first time I had seen Donahue in a film and I immediately fell in love with her and her as Samantha. It’s not an easy thing for a director to ask an actress to carry a film for long portions of running time in solitude and silence, but she easily keeps your attention while she explores her surroundings and slowly but surely becomes suspicious of her situation. Donahue plays the role with a quiet normalcy that makes you believe in her as just another stressed out college student trying to better her situation by taking on the questionable job offer.
By the time things turn up a notch, you really sympathize with her fear and want her to survive. This is a true testament to a rare likable character in a horror film because usually audiences are clamoring for everyone onscreen to meet their demise in the worst possible way. An honorable mention and credit also must be given to Jocelin’s co star, Greta Gerwig, who plays Samantha’s energetic best friend, Megan. It's through her interactions and chemistry with Donahue that we really get a sense of who Sam is, and Donahue’s performance surely benefits from having such a strong co-star to play off.
Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention of the now classic Risky Business-esque dance sequence set to The Fixx’s “One Thing Leads to Another,” which totally steals the show.
Retro is HUGE these days. Everything and everybody wants to be inspired by a retro aesthetic, whether its clothing, music, or even toys-- the world seems to be cashing in on that dangerous drug known as nostalgia.
This is especially true in the horror film community where retro has become the norm. This film is, in my opinion, where that started and it still trumps every attempt that has come after it. House of the Devil perfectly recreates the look and feel of a late 70s early 80’s horror film. Beginning with the opening title sequence, you realize Ti West and everyone involved pays attention to the smallest details like the authentic wardrobe selection and smaller things like the throwback style Coca Cola cups used in the pizza parlor scene (I heard they found these on eBay). These details go a long way for me as a viewer and end up making huge differences in the overall end product. The movie is also appropriately “grainy” for lack of a better word. The use of post-production filters gives it a dated, VHS vibe that's popular these days. The music and scoring is also era appropriate.
House of the Devil did retro so well, when I first showed it to my brother (whom also knew nothing about it other than my vague spoiler-free synopsis of the plot) for the first time on dvd, he told me after it was over, “That was really good. I can’t believe I never saw this back in the day! I don’t remember hearing about it.” He was stunned when I then told him that it had just been filmed and released the year prior in 2009. If there was ever a ringing endorsement (to me) of its successful attempt to be a film of that bygone era, that would be it.
When your movie is called House of the Devil, the HOUSE should play as important a role as any character, and should in fact be a character itself. The house where most of the action takes place was discovered by the filmmakers in Connecticut. It’s a foreboding yet beautiful Victorian home that screams bad news; however, it does so without being a clichéd “spooky house.” No cobwebs, no lightning, creepy trees, or peeling wallpaper to give away the fact that something bad is going to happen. But as Samantha navigates its narrow, dimly lit hallways and ominous staircases, and slowly starts to sense something is not right, it begins to take on a life all its own. I especially love how many of the rooms in the house intertwine so you never know where you're headed and where you may end up. It is one of my favorite settings for a horror film in recent memory.
House of the Devil is a slow burn. I've heard less seasoned horror viewers of the A.D.D. mindset that it’s “boring” or “nothing happens" but, in reality, what they are really getting is suspense and an uncomfortable stillness they're not used to. The film takes its time establishing a mood of dread and sense of isolation. People these days cannot stand not knowing when something is going to happen, but I love it. The film is also filled with pristine shot compositions and lighting, which elevate the atmosphere the director tries to convey. Everything from zoom ins to freeze frames to hand held techniques are utilized in crafting the moody visuals the film stands on.
This may seem like an odd choice to round out my reasoning but, truth be told, the commentaries on the dvd/blu-ray are quite entertaining and help you truly appreciate all the care that went into crafting such a fine horror movie. There are two commentaries: the first features Writer/Director Ti West and star Jocelin Donahue and is full of entertaining anecdotes and insight into the directors motivations, as well as the actor's choices in the role; The second is another entertaining listen and features Ti West, second unit director/sound designer Graham Resnik, and producers Larry Fessenden and Peter Phok, who all have a great rapport with each other and delve further into the making of the film, detailing its genesis from conception to screen. Listening to these two commentaries is inspiring and something I like to check out from time to time when I need a creative boost or motivation.
These are just a handful of great things about House of the Devil. The film is almost 5 years old now and I still find myself revisiting it again and again. It’s a source of creative inspiration for me and it is simply a must see horror film. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and do so immediately.
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