Right from the very start with our protagonist Samatha (Jocelin Donahue) wearing a beanie hat and walkman earphones; walking to a peculiar up-beat, but non-commercial score; and freeze framing to the credits, we are given the appearance that this movie might very well have come straight out of the 80s. Indeed, the entire movie is an ode to the slasher genre with perfectly cast characters, ranging from the celestial if introverted Samantha to the slightly more daring, rich friend; right down to the creepy pizza boy on the other side of the telephone line, or the the towering tall man who wants a baby sitter for a most peculiar job. I have to say, the Academic in me enjoyed this well crafted movie; the slow but steady, sometimes goofy, sometimes pensive build-up, to the climatic horrors that later unfold. I was relieved that it didn't rely on any crazy swinging twists that some contemporary movies attempt in an effort re-induce the 'slasher' as a genre. No, The House of the Devil stays steadfastly loyal to the genre --the writers must have really studied the classics-- and one could argue that they made the perfect tribute. But perhaps it's nearly too perfect. While the Academic in me was satisfied, the Voyeur wanted something more; something new and unusual. And that's the one flaw with the movie. There isn't anything really original in it. It's like all the best facets have been plundered from previous films and cleverly stitched back together again, so we are never altogether ever surprised. Nevertheless, if you are a fan of the genre, it's definitely worth a look.
Review of The House of the Devil
