The House of the Devil

Rating: 9.0

“Talk on the phone.  Finish your homework.  Watch TV.  Die.”

Ti West’s homage to 1980’s babysitter in peril horror films is one of the best genre films of the last decade.  What sets it apart from other horror films today is the tone and the pacing.  The film engages you with its atmosphere and slow burn lead up.  Jocelyn Donahue plays the title character with a natural sympathy; you care about her and her situation as the film progresses.  When the film takes a turn for the shocking, it is well earned and hard to forget.  Notes  below:

-Love the freeze frame that goes into the opening title, followed by the great 80’s music.

-The bulletin board has the important “Baby$itter Needed” flyer, as well as flyers for “Eclipse Viewing with the Astronomy Society” and “Lost Cat”.

-Samantha’s roommate’s boyfriend gives her a very satisfied/smug smile.

-Greta Gerwig!  Officially makes this movie “mumblegore”.

-Pizza portrayed as being from the 1980’s somehow looks a lot tastier than pizza today. 

-Tom Noonan is great; his voice is soft and alluring. 

-Samantha drives a hard bargain, $400 a night!

-Megan’s lighter scene is amazing, one of the best shocks of recent memory.

-Samantha is reminded three times that there’s a number for pizza on the refrigerator.

-Pizza guy on the phone: “Extra anchovies?” 

-Walkman music + pool = cool and badass.

-The Volvo is still there…

-Where did he actually get the pizza from?  It must be cold.

-Not a great time to watch “Night of the Living Dead”.

-Closet show reminds me of “Halloween”.

-One creepy family.

-Tom Noonan looks like he’s sexually climaxing.

-Get em Samantha.

-Friend revenge #bff.

-Both of you…