Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Raymond Sierra The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

prokovic_bogdan Top bad for mu taste. There is nothing interesting in this movie

samueljbaker In a time where jump scares are so prevalent, Ti West's The House of the Devil is a refreshing film that does not rely solely on jump scares but of the paranoia of the audience. Ti West brilliantly succeeds in making the mundane task of babysitting utterly horrifying through the film's foreboding atmosphere and use of tension. Silence is utilized throughout the film as a means to build this terrifying tension which lasts hours after the film has ended. The House of the Devil makes you question the safety of mundane tasks, such as the simple act of walking down a street at night. The lingering presence of this film can also be attributed to the main location of the film a house. While the claustrophobic hallways and frequent use of low angle shots give the house a horrific presence, it is the normality of the house that is terrifying. Other films such as Halloween and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre throws the audience into a terrifying community with a killer, while The House of the Devil puts the audience in an obscure house leaving everything else up to their imagination. The film immerses the audience through the use a single main character, instead of splitting the audience's attention between a group of friends allowing for a more intimate connection as well as an unnerving sense of isolation throughout the film. Overall, The House of the Devil is a beautifully innovative film that leads you on a terrifying journey making you question the safety of everyday events.

cndial From the moment we are brought into this film, it is obvious that Ti West's The House of the Devil is going to include a reemergence of the classic '80s stereotypes we have grown to know and love. Ti West does something extremely smart when placing the opening credits over freeze frames of our main character, Samantha (Jocelin Donahue), because it allows us to automatically feel connected to her. It also reminds us of the films we have watched over and over. However, with this being a horror film, West also creates an atmosphere that makes the viewer slightly uncomfortable. The dulled sounds and grainy edits, something that we have become accustomed to when viewing films made 30 years ago, is somehow out of place when viewing a movie that came out in the last decade. The feeling of nostalgia that viewers experience is almost misplaced, and it begins the sensation of terror in their stomachs for the anticipation of what may come next. This feeling of dread compounds throughout the movie when little oddities begin to occur, such as Mr. Ulman's peculiar phone habits, strange appearance, "off" mannerisms, and unusual interactions with his own wife, whom Samantha engages with as well. Everything adds to this dreadful feeling. So, commence the white knuckles on every viewer, as Samantha is left alone in this Hitchcockian house. The suspense builds, and the mise-en-scène alone is enough to make a viewer go mad. Although there are moments of relief placed strategically throughout, the anticipation for the modern day, fast-paced gore we have grown used to is immense. The lull in the movie, which is preceded by the abrupt and gory death of Samantha's friend Megan, allows a viewer's imagination to run rampant. The yearning for questions to be answered grows exponentially with every passing scene as Samantha slowly explores the home. I commend Ti West's use of these elements that build suspense, similar to the ones that the great Alfred Hitchcock used thoroughly himself. When the film is over, the viewers are left with a feeling in the pit in their stomachs that is never quite resolved… much like Samantha.

heather ray House of the Devil takes you on an emotional roller-coaster from beginning to end. You start by comfortably strapping into the relatable college element, listening to the deafening, upbeat 80s' soundtrack and awaiting the thrill. Once you're secure and devoted without an exit, you begin by slowly traveling into a heightened suspense and elevated anxiety as you become aware of the climactic drop that is inevitably in front of you. Once you reach the top, you get a few short moments to gasp and take your last breath before you're consumed by the full- speed terror, teased with not knowing what twists and turns may come next. Finally, you're abruptly halted as the ride has come to a close. Did you bring that paper bag I mentioned? Because, House of the Devil leaves you stagnate with echoing screams, recurring images, and a new sense of lingering, hyperventilating horror. Although released in 2009, the filming techniques and styles beautifully capture the 80s' atmosphere. Being a college student myself, this film truly puts into perspective the setting of a bumming rides, bored eating, clutter-filled dorm living, hopeful college student that only wants a quick fix for cash so she has enough money to pay for her first month's rent on a new apartment. The subtle, childlike demeanor of her best friend, Megan, engages the audience in some comedic relief with the suspicious circumstances of Samantha's new babysitting gig. Low angle shots and bottom lighting personifies the Ulman's house to be a powerful and frightening menace, similar to the cannibal's house in Tobe Hooper's Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the Bates' mansion in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho . From the moment Megan is driving Samantha to the Ulman's house, viewers are sinking in their seats preparing for the expected and cliché jump scare. House of the Devil is the first, and hopefully last, film that left me feeling like I was crawling out of my own skin, that my heart was pounding against my chest begging for escape; In that moment, I was completely and utterly haunted.