House of the Devil (2009) [80s Haunted House]

Additional Review (No Spoilers)

The House of the Devil is an intricately detailed, pitch-perfect homage to 80's horror, that adheres to genre conventions while at the same time transcending them. Director Ti West understands what makes horror films work, that the horror is always more exciting when you don't know when to expect it. Jocelin Donahue does a great job as Samantha, and is a believable character. I have to commend Tom Noonan for being creepy as hell without even trying, he's a really unsettling figure in the film. The been there, done that story is absolutely the point, complete with opening statistics promising a true story. This movie is a great example that horror doesn't need to be complicated, just well executed. West builds dread and terror like a pro, understanding the classic Hitchcock sensibility that people fear what they don't see, and what they don't know, which is more scary to me than a lot of horror movies where the antagonist is known and in your face.

That said, if you're not a patient horror fan this movie probably isn't for you and its slow burn nature isn't for everyone.

/r/HorrorReviewed Thread