DVD FIEND: THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL

2009 gave us The House of the Devil, an 80s period piece focusing on the Satanist scares of that era. The film is written, directed, and edited by Ti West, who is able to capture the essence of the period by employing filming techniques, film technology, authentic 80s props bought via eBay and the like, and even by commissioning a poster that could have come from 1983. To further the capture the time period, West and company created a title sequence in bold yellow letters that screams late 70s early 80s. In other words, West and company nailed, this film feels like it was made in the early 70s.

Unfortunately, this is also to a fault, the film is a very slow burn and for much of it we are following around Jocelin Donahue who plays the film’s lead actress, Samantha Hughes. While, I’m not opposed to ‘slow burn’ films, I was almost bored. Luckily, Jocelin Donahue is easy to watch, and her character is very endearing. The entire movie relies on her performance—and to me, she is able to carry the movie to its conclusion.

I’ll stay away from the plot details as to not ‘spoil’ anything, but much of the plot relies on satanic scares/panic from that time. I think West and company could’ve done a better job of informing the viewer on this important element, but you get enough of it that it’s not really an issue. Once the plot begins to thicken, certain background elements begin to coalesce. Once Samantha is left in the home, the movie takes on a very haunted house vibe, and I was sold. Every little noise, dark corner, and ominous shot had me biting my nails—but still nothing really happened. The tension was palpable, and everything on screen was a deliberate tick of the visual clock. The ending seemed to sprint in stark contrast to the first hour or so of the film, and I loved it. All the waiting, and near-boredom paid off in a bittersweet bitch of an ending.

I have to say this is an excellent movie. Despite its slow pace, and minimalist cast, I found myself being pulled by a fishing line to the finale. The movie was crafted elegantly, and true to the period it effortlessly emulated. I loved the grainy film stock, the stark lighting, the score, all of it. If you’re into satanic stories, haunted house movies, or the 80s aesthetic in general then this is a movie for you. There is a small slasher-like element, but if that’s what you are looking for you won’t find it here. This is more of substance than fluff, and you have to be willing to sit and wait and get to know Samantha, before you can be afraid for her.