Throughout the month of October, I will be reviewing a different horror movie every week. To narrow down the selection, I decided to focus solely on what I’ve deemed contemporary horror classics, films that have come out within the last 10 years that have made a significant impact on the genre, have garnered cult classic status or critical acclaim and are unlike any other horror film released within the past decade.
To start off the series, I’ve chosen to review Ti West’s acclaimed 2009 film “The House of the Devil.”
Appropriately released Oct. 30, 2009, “The House of the Devil” is an example of what many horror movies aim to be: scary, thought-provoking and filled with beautiful and innovative cinematography and art direction.
West pays homage to the lo-fi slashers of the ’70s and ’80s with his filming techniques and the narrative itself but is able to elevate his film past the superfluous, unrealistic and sloppy style typical of the time period.
The film follows a particularly stressful day in the life of Samantha (Jocelin Donahue), a college student trying to make money so she can afford her first month’s rent in her new apartment. With her current roommate in her cramped and cluttered dorm serving as foil to clean-freak responsible Samantha, it seems she’s willing to do just about anything to get some cash.
Samantha finds out about a mysterious babysitting job from a flyer posted on her college campus and jumps at the opportunity. All signs point to an ominous situation, but Samantha is desperate for money and agrees to go that night, making her best friend Megan (Greta Gerwig) drive her to the Ulman’s secluded Victorian mansion in the middle of a dark forest.
There, they are greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Ulman (Tom Noonan and Mary Woronov) who are a pair of eccentric and off-putting figures seemingly hiding something sinister. The Ulmans tell Samantha there is no child to babysit, but she is needed to attend to Mrs. Ulman’s ill mother, for which there will be a significant pay raise if she agrees.
So, of course, she agrees and is left alone in a large creepy house on the night of a lunar eclipse. The rest of the film is a true experience in every sense of the word, so giving any more plot details would be doing a disservice to the viewer.
Fair warning: “The House of the Devil” is a slow-burner, heavy on atmosphere, tension and silence for the first 70 minutes, but the payoff comes in the form of a gory and shocking 20-minute climax that alludes to the “Satanic panic” of the 1980s. In the context of the film, it’s presented without much explanation or warning, but it somehow makes complete and total sense. That isn’t to say it’s predictable, because it’s anything but. Put simply, it’s terrifying.
I think we forget sometimes that’s what a good horror movie should do: terrify us to where we can’t sleep at night without the lights on. I’ll admit it’s a complicated feat to achieve, but West is able to do it through his actors, direction and dialogue.
In particular, Donahue carries the film as the “final girl” of sorts; she’s practically in every scene, so the viewer is able to get inside of her head and identify with her uneasiness and horror. She portrays this character as a strong and smart woman you want to root for.
Noonan and Woronov also shine in their roles, creating elegant and macabre characters, friendly enough but quietly, and obviously, malevolent.
In homage to the ‘80s, West uses 16mm film to create a grainy and retro experience for the viewer, amplifying the scare factor and contributing to the dark, muted high-tension atmosphere of the film. In addition, outdated film techniques like obvious camera zooms and opening credits with freeze-frames invoke a different era while also proving the crew’s technical prowess uncommon of the time.
The dialogue is full of foreshadowing and bizarre one-liners that add an offbeat quirk to the film, making a horrifying experience also an entertaining one.
The film signifies the decade through a series of expertly placed subtleties like a massive Walkman and perfectly feathered haircuts.
“The House of the Devil” represents the highest quality of a horror film; one that resonates with you because of the sheer fact of how inescapable the horror is for the protagonist. There’s no better way to start the scariest month of the year, but don’t watch this movie alone — I guarantee it will stick with you for a long time after viewing.
