The House of the Devil (2009)
Film Review
By the Geezer of Oz
A young college student is hired as babysitter at an isolated country residence near her college town. She slowly realizes that something bizarre is going on…
An interesting film made in 2009 that is a direct homage to 1970’s and 1980’s Satanic horror films.
Starring Jocelin Donahue (Summer Camp), alongside veterans Tom Noonan (Robocop 2, Manhunter) and Dee Wallace (The Hills Have Eyes 1977, E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial, Cujo, Critters, The Frighteners, Halloween 2007, The Lords of Salem, Red Christmas), as well as indie darling Greta Gerwig (Damsells in Distress, To Rome with Love, Frances Ha), who all do a great job here under the steady hand of director Ti West (Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever, The Innkeepers, The Sacrament) at the helm.
The film is a little too similar to those older films it pays tribute to for my liking, as it doesn’t really offer anything new, but nonetheless is a very effective, stylish homage that l highly recommend for fans of the sub-genre. There’s definitely something to this film, though it might be tough to exactly pinpoint what it is. In my book, that is generally a good sign as this film tends to stick with you and a film being memorable is rarely a bad thing.
A solid 6.5/10.
