The House of the Devil Movie Review
The Babysitter and the Devil
If you're a fan of indie horror films, chances are you're familiar with the work of young writer/director Ti West. West's first two movies, "The Roost" and "Triggerman," received limited theatrical releases after successfully playing the festival circuit, and while they're both solid efforts, the filmmaker makes the proverbial quantum leap forward with his latest, "The House of the Devil." Serious horror (notice I didn't say gore) fans likely won't receive a better Halloween treat this year.
A throwback to grungy '70's horror flicks, "The House of the Devil" is actually set in the early '80s, a decade when, according to the opening title card, 70% of American adults believed in satanic cults. Thankfully, West keeps the '80sploitation to a minimum, mainly using the period elements as a way to make the film legitimately appear like an unearthed cinematic artifact. This decision certainly heightens the creep factor.
Newcomer Jocelin Donahue stars as ordinary, every day college girl Samantha, a young woman who's decided to move out of the school's dormitory and into her very own apartment. Unfortunately, she doesn't quite have the funds necessary to pay the landlord (Dee Wallace in an extended cameo) the deposit. But back on campus, Sam comes across a babysitter wanted flyer. Assuming it's an easy way to make some quick cash, she immediately answers the ad…this, of course, is when things get weird.
Obviously, the film's title will lead viewers to have certain expectations. And while the simple plotting never goes in any unusual directions, the impact is still profound, despite the predictability, when West increases the pace. Speaking of the pace, the big problem some will have with the film is the slow, deliberate set up. It's refreshing, especially in today's world of ADD afflicted horror movies, to have a director who believes in the power of building tension gradually, but West could've tightened up early scenes without compromising his methodology. Shots that somewhat randomly follow Sam walking around don't increase the suspense, but have the regrettable effect of a filmmaker trying to pad the film's running time.
But if you can hang in with the movie for its first 30 minutes or so -- less of a chore than I'm probably making it out to be -- West really delivers the goods in the latter half. He does this primarily by relying on old-fashioned atmospherics. The cinematography, production design, camera placement and understated acting are a few of the components that combine to provide a no frills, sinister jolt. While the film never tries to go the horror/comedy hybrid route, it doesn’t take itself too seriously either, as the freeze frame punctuated opening credit sequence establishes right off the bat.
Donahue makes a good, straightforward protagonist in peril and, perhaps oddly, Greta Gerwig, who plays Samantha's close friend, is far more likeable here than in any of the films that have made her the reigning queen of mumblecore. Veteran actor/filmmaker Tom Noonan is effectively creepy (and just a tad funny) as the middle-aged man struggling to find a babysitter on the evening of a lunar eclipse. For the most part, the roles are wisely underplayed.
Ti West has been known for a few years as an "up and coming" horror director, but "The House of the Devil" is proof that he's arrived (let's ignore "Cabin Fever 2"). It's one of the best American horror movies in recent memory.
