“The House of the Devil” is a 2009 horror piece courtesy of filmmaker Ti West. I generally avoid the subgenre involving satanic cults and the like, but this one stood out for its cinematic style and period piece use.
Set in the early 1980s, Ti West employs a host of tactics that make the picture feel like a relic from that era. I was teleported back to a simpler time and often forgot I wasn’t watching some second-rate slasher from decades ago (though I suppose 2009 itself is closing in on being just that…yikes).
The Basic Plot
Samantha (Jocelin Donahue) is a college student in need of fast cash. She takes a job babysitting at a remote estate. Samantha’s best friend Megan (Greta Gerwig) objects, advising the high payout and limited duration are too good to be true.
Samantha meets with the couple who hired her, the Ulman’s (Tom Noonan and Mary Woronov) both of which are effectively creepy. As is A. J. Bowen who plays their adult son.
Text at the onset describes the Satanic Panic of the time. There are passing references to a lunar eclipse occurring that night. There’s a cemetery on the large sprawling property. What could go wrong?
The Cast
Jocelin Donahue does a masterful job in the lead role. Stunningly beautiful, Donahue portrays Samantha with incredible ease. There’s a great setup at the beginning establishing why the character needs the money. Her roommate at the dorm is a slob. The roommate’s boyfriend snores. Samantha is getting an off-campus apartment (rented to her by 80s icon Dee Wallace). It’s filmed and acted in a truly believable way. Jocelin Donahue demonstrates a great ability for horror acting.
I really liked Greta Gerwig as well. The character looks and acts as a perfect best friend from an older film. Tom Noonan looks and sounds like a guy who would live next to a cemetery.
How Did Ti West Do That?
As I watched it, I was mesmerized by the look and feel of the film. Many works of fiction are period pieces. But most of the time, the characters don’t act organic. A lesser quality story taking place in the 1980s would have the cast in dressed over-the-top neon and referencing Ronald Regan and Madonna in every conversation.
Here, its like we are witnessing something that was recorded in 1983. The costuming, hairstyle, and dialogue of the characters is obvious. Payphones, rotary phones, and answering machines are used accordingly. We forget how much cellular, and internet technology has changed the landscape of life in a short time.
Ti West shot the movie on 16 mm film which gives it a standard def, retro look. West also used various filming tactics from directors of the time such as zoom-in shots and opening and closing credits with an unforgiveable font. There’s a clear homage paid to classic horror, slasher, and cult films from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
Slow burn
“The House of the Devil” is 94 minutes in time, with most of the mayhem occurring in the final ten minutes. The slower start is paced in an excellent way that never leaves the viewer wandering. The tension is palpable as Samantha explores the mansion in shadow, trying to pass the time in a way before scrolling was a thing.
One great sequence depicts her dancing about as The Fixx blasts from her Walkman. We watch knowing something bad is going to happen and are helpless to stop it.
Great Horror Film
I didn’t expect much and “The House of the Devil” surprised me. It’s an excellent horror movie that relies on its tension and suspense, with limited but effective jump scares. Fans of gore will be fulfilled by the ending.
I read that the film crew had paranormal experiences while staying at Yankee Pedlar Inn. This inspired West to write and direct his next film, “The Innkeepers” which I will now be checking out.
