When you call your movie "The House of the Devil", and begin said movie with a title card that more than heavily implies that it's going to involve Satanism, you'd probably be well advised to bring something new to the table. Unfortunately, Ti West seems to be blissfully unaware that Rosemary's Baby already exists, and fails magnificently in displaying any kind of originality whatsoever as a result. Don't be fooled by the retro style credits and zoom-ins; it's a stylistic concession which is dropped less than 15 minutes after the movie has started, giving you the distinct impression that Ti West once saw a horror movie from the 1980's but couldn't quite remember it.
With respect to the pacing of the film, a slow-burn set up does not a great movie make, especially when the pay-off signals itself from over three quarters of a mile away. I found myself more bored than tense, and entirely unable to muster any kind of empathy for these blank-slate characters spewing out inane dialogue.
Ponderous and completely devoid of tension or satisfaction.
With respect to the pacing of the film, a slow-burn set up does not a great movie make, especially when the pay-off signals itself from over three quarters of a mile away. I found myself more bored than tense, and entirely unable to muster any kind of empathy for these blank-slate characters spewing out inane dialogue.
Ponderous and completely devoid of tension or satisfaction.